Under Rug Swept (U.S. Version)

In the past I've bought both Alanis's albums (the brilliant 'Jagged liitle pill' and not so brilliant 'Supposed former infatuated Junkie'.) As I just said, I loved 'Jagged' and still play it alot now, but I wasn't at all keen on the latter- it seemed to be a lot darker than the songs from Jagged (apart from 'Thankyou' which I really liked.) Needless to say I wasn't sure whether to risk buying 'Under rug swept.'
Let me just say I have absolutely no regrets:
'21 things I want in a lover' is quite steady-paced, not my fave song on the album by far, but very good. As soon as I heard it, it reminded me straight away of the style of 'Jagged' album and I only hoped the rest would be just as good- but it just got better.
'Narcissus' has grown on me so much I can't stop listening to it. Alanis's songs tend to have this effect on you, whereby you'll hear the songs, like the beat but not really take in the words. Then after hearing the song 2 or 3 times, you realise how true& brilliant her lyrics are- she doesn't just talk about a load of made up rubbish. You find yourself really connecting/understanding the meanings of the songs (not on a really deep level, but you know what I mean.)Narcissus is my 3rd fave song on this cd-but it's very hard to describe it.
Next there's 'Hands clean' which she's just released as a single. I love this song, and this is probably my fave song on the album. I love the chorus- and find myself singing along to it all the time. It's quite upbeat for Alanis but excellent all the same.
'Flinch' is very good, but slower than the rest, and it doesn't really have a chorus asuch, it reeminded me a lot of her songs 'Mary Jane' and 'Perfect' if that means anything to anybody.
'So unsexy' is SO good, this is definitely 2nd fave for me (and maybe even joint fave)- it's also very hard to describe, it starts quite slow, but you're immediately stung by the words, as she sings about someone who, no matter what they do, never feels good enough for their partner, and how they fell beneath them. It's sad, but so catchy at the same time. You have to play it at least twice-the first time round I wasn't sure.
'Precious illusions' is good, not as good as the previous ones mentioned, it sounds very similar to other Alanis songs. For me nothing really stands out about this, but it is catchy and I like it. To be honest I haven't really played the other songs that much, but 'A man' stood out as being really good. the remaining ones seemed slower in pace to the ones mentioned, but I've played the cd on repeat all the way through, and never have problems i.e. wanting to skip tracks, when listening to it.
My advice: if you like Alanis's voice, & style of 'Jagged little pill' definitely go out and buy this- she's great!!!

GUYS......what more can I say? After listening the to the complete album...I am left speechless! Hardcore "Jagged Little Pill" fans....your goddess has made and will make her presence known again in the year 2002--"Supposed Former Infactuation Junkie" fans....you are going to be in heaven with the stream of consciousness and deeply geared lyrics that Morissette utilizies throughout the progression of this new album.

This artist has grown, matured and will be in the mind of the rock/pop scene for many years to come. This woman/songwriter/producer/artist --compares nothing more but to the great Madonna---constantly changing, redefining herself--giving a new meaning to the word "music" with every album she unleashes.

Potential Singles: 21 Things I Want in a Lover, Narcissus, Hands Clean, Precious Illusions, You Owe Me Nothing In Return, Surrendering, So Unsexy

Tracks to "Sweep Under the Rug": Flinch, That Particular Time, A Man, Utopia.

If Ms. Morissette plays it right with this album, over half of the album can be released with radio play and heavy rotation (for 7 tracks!!!!!) It could literally meet or surpass Jagged Little Pill.

Did I also mention that she (along with this album ) debut #1 on the Billboard? I can say with confidence that "Alanis is back".

This is far less angry than her first two CDs. I have those too and think they are great. This is brilliant and different.

She seems to have gone from anger at all men for being nasty to acceptance of the fact and resignation to it. She's a superb wordsmith, and I love the way she alters rhyme, reason, meter, pronunciation and acceptable accenting of words to fit with the tune.

It starts with "21 Things I Want in a Lover" which to my mind are all perfectly reasonable requests for qualities in a partner for either sex. It's certainly what I've always tried to be.

There follows a song called "Narcissus" which encapsulates many men who I think we all know.

Then it is "Hands Clean" which is agonising in its relentless assault on your feelings for this poor girl remembering being treated so shoddily by a successful and insensitive man. It also goes to show how difficult it is to get over it when love ends.

"Flinch" is simply superb. It shows again just how long it takes anyone to get over love (except, apparently, for the men in this distressed girl's life) and how the longing, and the anger at that longing, stays with you forever. It's simple disbelief that anyone can affect you as much as that.

One of my favourites is "So Unsexy". It bites straight into me as I realise it is just like me with all that tormenting self-doubt; but at least it has hope at the end!

"Precious Illusions" is also devastatingly accurate to all those people entering a relationship and wondering tentatively whether it will be as bad as whatever finished the last one. It's about wondering who you are and who you aren't and I simply love those last two lines!

"That Particular Time" is so beautifully worded, quiet, gentle and broody. It speaks of needing time to marinate in what "us" meant and also the horrific realisation that sometimes staying with a person means betraying oneself.

"A Man" seems to be a general gripe at men's attitudes. It has a lovely quality of rhythm to it. The poor lady certainly seems to have had her share of bad relationships!

And then there's "You Owe Me Nothing In Return". This one makes me cry and feel so understood that there are others out there who feel this way about love.

"Surrendering" again just says it all about those moments of self doubt at the start of a new relationship and the thrill of eventually being trusted and being able to trust.

It ends with "Utopia" sung in a lovely lilting way and probably the best evocation of what heaven and peace on earth could be that I have ever heard.

I like this CD! As I say, it's much more mellow than her other albums. Being a family man in his mid forties I'm probably not the intended audience, but if you have ever loved and lost, or just loved, you will find understanding and solace in the words here.

I'm pleased for Ms. Morrisette that she is able to put down her feelings like this. If any of this is even half true then I think the poor lady would have gone mad without the benefits of this release!

The technical side is excellent too, with gorgeous bass lines (played by one of about six bass players listed on the back!) and superb balance and order.

I'm easily bored but have never been by this CD. That has never happened before.

If you've ever loved someone so much you didn't know how to handle it, buy this CD and hear your feelings expressed in words.