Alanis Morissette - Flavors Of Entanglement

Though the mainstream might have all but abandoned Alanis Morrissette since her mid-90s breakthrough as the MTV grunge generation’s Madonna, she has forged on with a handful of albums of a reasonably steely consistency, although even kindly ears would recognize her output since Jagged Little Pill as reduced strength versions of that celebrated album. Its slightly convoluted follow up, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, remains her most intriguing if long-winded work, and with her most recent record (2004’s So Called Chaos) more or less finding peace with itself--filing down the angsty internal dialogues and sounding almost content even at its loudest points--the future seemed to be heading on a downward spiral. But talk about an about turn. With Flavours Of Entanglement the bronco is very much bucking once more, often causing whiplash-inducing stylistic swerves. "Citizen Of The Planet" opens the album, erupting out of eastern strings and a sequenced underlay with blunt, compressed guitars and thumping beats, sweeping through desolate plains previously inhabited by nu metal fantasists Evanescence. The dark tension is upheld through the robotic techno of "Straightjacket" and dark string-laden drum ‘n’ bass of "Moratorium." Landing amid the lonely Tori Amos balladry of "Not As We," Texas-pop of "In Praise Of The Vulnerable Man," and the more typical Alanis fare of "Underneath," this is an often unsettlingly mixed bag achieving varying levels of success, but it is also probably her most emotionally satisfying work for a decade. -- James Berry Amazon.co.uk

Not herself.

Having been a huge fan of her early music, I am deeply disappointed and saddened with her latest release. She seems to have surrendered to mainstream pop music, with far too many superficial influences in her new 'music'. Though angst can and does evolve and people grow and mature with time and their music will reflect their evolution, it is far different from 'changing' to be something her soul clearly does not reflect.I have always loved her rawness, her insightful lyrics, her basic instruments, WITHOUT the synthesizers and club sounding beats she has now embraced. Seeing her in interviews since this release, she even seems disconnected from who she is at her core. While she is expressing her grievance over her break-up with Ryan Reynolds, and I thoroughly embrace her expression of those feelings on a CD, I would have been much more embracing of a CD that allowed her to stay true to herself. She is either being misguided by the misconception that bigger & more is better, or she has become next in the line of pop culture sell outs. I tend to believe she is much too intelligent to be a sell out. Sometimes just simple and true and real is the absolute best. At least for Alanis. This is one CD I will not bother with because it doesn't feel like a real, Alanis Morrisette gift from the hippie chick who did not perform from her ego but from her gut & soul, a beautiful spirit with the magical ability to engage listeners because she was true to herself and that is what made her shine. May she find her way back to her core next time around. I give this 1 star, because her voice is still as beautiful as ever. August 15, 2008

Delux edition - real joy for your ears and soul

Very nice album from Alanis. Especially 2nd CD in delux edition with Orchid, Madness and Limbo No More - you can find all romantic tastes you like in Alanis songs. August 14, 2008

Alanis rules!!

I wasn't sure what to expect because I hadn't heard anything about this album, but I loved it!! August 12, 2008

I'll pass on Entanglement..

While I have loved previous Alanis Morrisette albums, this one misses the mark.I have listened to this album repeatedly thinking that it will grow on me.Instead ,I find most of the songs and especially the lyrics to be just annoying.If your into New Age drivel then you will love this album but after 3 weeks in the CD stack in the car all I find is that I keep hitting the fast forward button. August 7, 2008

Spiritual and Powerful

I used to not listen to Alanis as she appeared so often to be "angry" in certain songs and the way she was promoted.

But then I began to listen to a few spiritual things she had to say.

This album for me is her best yet - with a caveat.

The "Deluxe" version is THE version to get - period. I cannot imagine a version of this album without the truly important "Limbo No More" and a few other cuts found only on the second CD of the deluxe edition.

If you like Alanis when she is powerful, less angry, or flat out spiritual, this is the album from her for which you have been waiting.

I have listened solely to this album for weeks on end now, as part of my workout. It so converted me that I bought tickets to her concert many months away. I only do that these days with those who truly move me and make my life better.

If you dare to look at yourself and ponder rather than blame; if you are open to great music that cajoles your spiritual side, GET THIS.

In my view, this is her best album yet - but get the Deluxe version or miss out on some other important (and one just plain Tom Tom Club silly fun type) tunes.

By the way, I'm sober and I have no issue with "Bring On The Tequila" as a very cute, poppy chorus that's hard to beat. August 3, 2008

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