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Track Listings
| 1. guardian |
| 2. woman down |
| 3. 'til you |
| 4. celebrity |
| 5. empathy |
| 6. lens |
| 7. spiral |
| 8. numb |
| 9. havoc |
| 10. win and win |
| 11. receive |
| 12. edge of evolution |
| 13. will you be my girlfriend? |
| 14. magical child |
Product Description
Review
The key to enjoying a new Alanis Morissette album is accepting that she'll never make another Jagged Little Pill.
That 12-song therapy session has sold over 33 million copies since 1995, and was a decade-defining record. When Morissette recorded it, she was a frustrated 20-year-old fuelled by a destructive relationship with a man she labelled "Mr Duplicity". Seventeen years later, she's married, a mother, and can apparently practise four different types of yoga.
Havoc and Bright Lights, her first album in four years, presents a generally mellower Morissette. However, that's not to say her music now lacks potency. Two decades into her recording career, she knows how to craft a catchy pop-rock song, though having Guy Sigsworth (Madonna, Britney Spears) as her co-writer must help.
Morissette also knows what she likes: Havoc and Bright Lights features the same range of sounds as all her post-Jagged Little Pill albums. There are 90s-style drum loops, mournful strings, heavy guitars on the choruses, dashes of light electronica, and some Middle Eastern flourishes.
Sometimes the production is too slick, but Morissette avoids blandness because she's so idiosyncratic. ‘Til You is a love song that features the phrase "research and develop" – surely a pop first. On Win and Win, where most might offer a trite sentiment about wanting to be close to their loved ones, Morissette sings: "I have yearnings to sit across from you."
Elsewhere, Numb has an opening gambit that could intimidate any therapist: "I feel smothered and encumbered and defeated and drawn / Disappointed, overextended and frustrated and shaken."
She may be mellower, but Morissette is still an emotional over-sharer. "Today's all about me, all about how I'm feeling," she sings at one point. But that's part of her charm, and she also looks outwards here: Lens wrestles with religion, while Celebrity sends up the fame game.
The latter features the album's most memorable Alanis-ism: "I am a tattooed sexy dancing monkey." It also has a conundrum that sums up her continued appeal. When she refers to LA as "this am-b****-ous city", is that dodgy wordplay, or just her unique diction? Some fans will argue it's both.
--Martin Aston
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Four years on from her last album 'Flavors Of Entanglement' finds Alanis
Morissette in a very good place. Her association with Guy Sigsworth remains
a fruitful one and the additional contribution of producer Joe Chiccarelli
has clearly added another dimension to her sound palette. The songs in this
fine new collection contrast the inimitable "edginess" we have come to expect
and love from her with a more rounded and contented compositional style which
is born of both experience and the inevitable encroachment of middle age.
For those of us who have followed her ascendance from the early years there
is little not to love here. Whether in the blistering chords and bitter
sentiment of opening track 'Guardian'; the pounding synth-laden arrangement
of 'Woman Down', or the blissfully uplifting melody and chorus of 'Receive'
we are in familiar but nonetheless reassuringly raw sonic territory. With
numbers like the beautiful 'Win and Win' and the plaintively moving 'Will
You Be My Girlfriend?', however, we find Ms Morissette mining a more subtle
seam (the latter is an especially satisfying invention) and clearly enjoying
the space afforded her singular vocal talents but it is to the glorious 'Edge
Of Evolution' which we must turn to experience the full force of her inimitable
muse. It truly is one of the most stirring compositions of her career so-far.
'Havoc and Bright Lights' takes its place in a body of work which, in so many
ways, has enriched the listening world and brought us both smiles and tears.
Highly Recommended..
Morissette in a very good place. Her association with Guy Sigsworth remains
a fruitful one and the additional contribution of producer Joe Chiccarelli
has clearly added another dimension to her sound palette. The songs in this
fine new collection contrast the inimitable "edginess" we have come to expect
and love from her with a more rounded and contented compositional style which
is born of both experience and the inevitable encroachment of middle age.
For those of us who have followed her ascendance from the early years there
is little not to love here. Whether in the blistering chords and bitter
sentiment of opening track 'Guardian'; the pounding synth-laden arrangement
of 'Woman Down', or the blissfully uplifting melody and chorus of 'Receive'
we are in familiar but nonetheless reassuringly raw sonic territory. With
numbers like the beautiful 'Win and Win' and the plaintively moving 'Will
You Be My Girlfriend?', however, we find Ms Morissette mining a more subtle
seam (the latter is an especially satisfying invention) and clearly enjoying
the space afforded her singular vocal talents but it is to the glorious 'Edge
Of Evolution' which we must turn to experience the full force of her inimitable
muse. It truly is one of the most stirring compositions of her career so-far.
'Havoc and Bright Lights' takes its place in a body of work which, in so many
ways, has enriched the listening world and brought us both smiles and tears.
Highly Recommended..
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Following the beautiful 'Flavours of Entanglement', I had serious doubts about this new album from Alanis when I heard that Guy Sigsworth's original production had been partially ditched in favour of a more 'live' sound from new producer Joe Chiccarelli. It was Guy's fantastic arrangements that brought Alanis' recent music to new heights, placing her intricate and unique lyrics in a new and exciting soundscape.
Those concerns are not fully resolved. For example, the track 'Magical Child' can be easily compared and contrasted. The original Guy Sigsworth production is available on the version previously released (and available on YouTube) and is certainly a more electronic, atmospheric but subtle track that builds and builds. Joe's production on the album version feels rather watered down, too smooth and glossy. Some of the added 'real' instruments sound dated in a jazzy 80s kind of way.
However, when this album is heard in full there is no doubt that it is an excellent set of songs. Since I generally prefer Alanis' gentler tracks, I am spoilt for choice - with 'Til You', 'Havoc', 'Win and Win' and 'Empathy' being particular favourites. However, the first single 'Guardian' and the immediately appealing 'Woman Down' show that she is still willing to make the tougher, more outspoken choices at times. Joe's production is generally sympathetic to the melody, not (as feared) too wrapped up in sounding 'authentic' and does not overwhelm the songs. It's clear that much of Guy's original programming remains (up to 50% on many of the tracks, according to interviews with Joe).
The packaging of the album is terrific (with photography that really speak to where Alanis is in her life) and it makes a nice change to have the lyrics printed out in full and in a typeface that can be easily read.
So despite the behind-the-scenes production issues, this is another very strong album from Alanis that is at times touching and clearly heartfelt throughout.
Those concerns are not fully resolved. For example, the track 'Magical Child' can be easily compared and contrasted. The original Guy Sigsworth production is available on the version previously released (and available on YouTube) and is certainly a more electronic, atmospheric but subtle track that builds and builds. Joe's production on the album version feels rather watered down, too smooth and glossy. Some of the added 'real' instruments sound dated in a jazzy 80s kind of way.
However, when this album is heard in full there is no doubt that it is an excellent set of songs. Since I generally prefer Alanis' gentler tracks, I am spoilt for choice - with 'Til You', 'Havoc', 'Win and Win' and 'Empathy' being particular favourites. However, the first single 'Guardian' and the immediately appealing 'Woman Down' show that she is still willing to make the tougher, more outspoken choices at times. Joe's production is generally sympathetic to the melody, not (as feared) too wrapped up in sounding 'authentic' and does not overwhelm the songs. It's clear that much of Guy's original programming remains (up to 50% on many of the tracks, according to interviews with Joe).
The packaging of the album is terrific (with photography that really speak to where Alanis is in her life) and it makes a nice change to have the lyrics printed out in full and in a typeface that can be easily read.
So despite the behind-the-scenes production issues, this is another very strong album from Alanis that is at times touching and clearly heartfelt throughout.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This album is just amazing its just one of them albums that every song is great!
I was worried about this album with Alanis going into parenthood and this album being a bit sickly sweet!! But.... Was pleasantly proved wrong! Guardian is an amazing song and composition of music! My Favourites include Guardian, Woman Down, Til you, Empathy, Receive (I may as well just put them all on!!! lol
Edge of Evolution!!! This is a tune that stands out on its own, it is absolutely amazing! I feel this is where we all are in evolution and its very apt, a proper spine tingler for me and resonance.
I can't stop listening to the album over and over, and its on my phone. I would say Recieve would be a great next release it would be a catchy Radio song.
Alanis has gone more contemporary now since SFIJ I love her unique style. She is a wordsmith (I have learned so much from her lyrics!) and with each album I can always relate to it with what is going on in my life at the time! Its like Therapy in a blissful way! ha ha
I was worried about this album with Alanis going into parenthood and this album being a bit sickly sweet!! But.... Was pleasantly proved wrong! Guardian is an amazing song and composition of music! My Favourites include Guardian, Woman Down, Til you, Empathy, Receive (I may as well just put them all on!!! lol
Edge of Evolution!!! This is a tune that stands out on its own, it is absolutely amazing! I feel this is where we all are in evolution and its very apt, a proper spine tingler for me and resonance.
I can't stop listening to the album over and over, and its on my phone. I would say Recieve would be a great next release it would be a catchy Radio song.
Alanis has gone more contemporary now since SFIJ I love her unique style. She is a wordsmith (I have learned so much from her lyrics!) and with each album I can always relate to it with what is going on in my life at the time! Its like Therapy in a blissful way! ha ha
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
only one alanis
not heard her for a while.
she still has a great style some superb tracks on this cd.
easy listening at home or in the car great cd to go with my other 2 cd's from her
she still has a great style some superb tracks on this cd.
easy listening at home or in the car great cd to go with my other 2 cd's from her
Published 10 days ago by Mr. K. W. Horseman
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great new offering from Alanis :-)
I haven't bought an album by Alanis since Under Rug Swept - I'm so glad I bought this one. A good mix of Rock/Pop/Alternative with choruses that are great to sing along to while... Read more
Published 1 month ago by N L W
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great songs, easily the best, but production is appaling
I've been listening to the album for a few weeks now, and my conclusion is that for me this is Alanis best to date. Read more
Published 1 month ago by LikeABoss
5.0 out of 5 stars
My favourite artist
I've seen Alanis twice now in 2012 which I feel quite blessed, she was amazing at the o2 and this album is great - there are some on here which don't quite float my boat which I... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Feeling_charmed
4.0 out of 5 stars
havoc and bright lights
good.thanks, easy download and on cloud. easier than i thought, easy way to get music and build a collection but always there via amazon cloud
Published 2 months ago by Darren Turner
3.0 out of 5 stars
Just complaining?
Jagged Little Pill was a massive record, a real breakthrough and revealed a massive talent. If you've seen her live you know what an incredible singer and performer she is. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Iain
5.0 out of 5 stars
Havoc & Bright Lights
by far the best Album I brought in 2012 and it will take alot for it to be beaten this year. The Album it in true form from Alanis Morissette
Published 2 months ago by luke oliver
2.0 out of 5 stars
Rather disappointing
This CD did not live up to my expectations nor was it back to the 'old' Alanis style. Rather disappointing.
Published 2 months ago by Martina R.F.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Alanis the Great
Great album been a long time since jagged little pill (which I loved) but worth the wait - guardian is brilliant in fact all tracks are good
Published 2 months ago by Kevin. W.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it!
Having been a big fan of Jagged Little Pill, I was not dissappointed with her latest album. Quality songs from a quality artist. Read more
Published 3 months ago by K. Williams
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