Alanis Morissette - Flavours Of Entanglement

by Tom Brumpton

Luscious eclectic outing from alt-rock's leading lady

"After a year-long emotional struggle, Morissette is back on top and back in our lives with a stunning new album. Much like her previous efforts, she's taken off in a completely new direction."

Over the years, Alanis Morissette has taken many musical incarnations, from her dance-pop origins as an eager 13-year-old, through to grunge-rock allure of her breakthrough 'Jagged Little Pill' album. The Canadian-born singer/songwriter has had many ups and downs, but through it all has always managed to bounce back. However, given the much publicised break-up between herself and long-term fiance actor Ryan Reynolds, the impression is given that this bounce back for the 34-year-old Ontario native was the toughest of them all.

But after a year-long emotional struggle, Morissette is back on top and back in our lives with a stunning new album. Much like her previous efforts, she's taken off in a completely new direction; keeping her reputation as one of rock's most eclectic songwriters firmly in tact.

Opening with the stunning 'Citizen Of The Planet', an eccentric blend of Eastern percussion, synthesizer's and hard rock guitars; the lyrics echo philosophies of Gandi's philosophies before gliding into luscious new single 'Underneath', an extravagant, yet beautiful track; laden with warm acoustic guitars and gentle percussion, ripe with some of the catchiest hooks you'll hear all year.

For all the albums beauty, it possess a sinister, darker underbelly, with tracks such as 'Straight Jacket' and 'Versions Of Violence' that echo Nine Inch Nails-esque elements of electronica, underpinned with Alanis's vicious forked tongue aimed and honed to deathly perfection. While the likes of 'Not As We' and 'In Praise Of The Vunerable Man' are so heart-wrenchingly beautiful, they possess the power to reduce even the sturdiest of men to blubbering messes with their subtle and beautiful melodies and tales of love and loss. Stunning.

Concluding with the gentle ambience and cuttingly painful 'Tapes', a textured, layered maelstrom of gorgeous melodies and the bombastically grand 'Incomplete', rife with elements of techno, classical music and held together by one of the finest choruses you'll hear this year, finishing an album of extravagance and grace with warmth and passion.

For all her trials and tribulations, not just now but throughout her life; Morissette has over come them all, and has expelled her demons through her lavish new outing. And while some scars never heal, this irrefutably amazing album proves that sometimes just healing the wounds can be enough.
Lovesoxxx said on June 27th 2008 [report abuse]

But is it ironic?

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