Just like a pill (Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morissette)

Member Name: benlepensive

Product:	Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morissette
Date:	19/02/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: plenty of original songs

Disadvantages: she doesn't understand the word 'ironic'

I remember buying this album a few months after it came out and playing it over and over. It is one of those enduring albums which you can return to again and again and of course this was the the album which made Alanis a household name almost overnight.

Who is she:

Canadian singer/songwriter Alanis is famed for her quirky brand of alternative pop rock. This album sold over 30 million copies.

On this album:

It gets off to a weak start with 'All I Really Want.' Not a song I would have started the album with. Alanis' vocals are fine, but the tune is not gripping and it seems to lose you at a minute in. She should have launched with 'You Oughta Know' which is much more powerful. A gutsy vocal and snarling lyrics as she lays into her ex with bravado.

Highlights:

'Hand In My Pocket' is a charmer, with elements of country music bubbling under it. It is more mellow and you could imagine playing it as you walk up dusky highways trying to hitch a ride in the hot sun. I also rate 'You Learn' which sees her pouring her all into some screeching vocals, stretching to reach some really high notes and pulling them off. The obvious choice would be to plump for 'Ironic' but I am not choosing to highlight this track, purely because Alanis does not understand the true meaning of the word 'ironic.' Is it really ironic that there are 'ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife'? Or is it more a case of a drastic inconvenience?

Overall:

Fiery lyrics, spicy vocals delivered with a unique style and some very memorable and original songs make this a must have album. Fourteen tracks is good value too

Summary: great