Alanis Morissette Albums Ranked
Pitched halfway between glossy mainstream pop and angst-ridden alternative rock, Alanis Morissette’s American debut, Jagged Little Pill, caught the zeitgeist of the mid-’90s, splitting the difference between Gen-X cynicism and self-help actualization. Spinning off a series of Top Ten singles, including “You Oughta Know,” “Hand in My Pocket,” and “Ironic,” and winning the 1996 Grammy for Album of the Year, Jagged Little Pill became an international blockbuster so squarely tied to its time, it threatened to leave Morissette behind in the ’90s. Instead, the album gave her a lasting career, one she cultivated through emotional candor and music she gently modulated as she matured. The Top 40 hits slowed after “Hands Clean,” the single pulled from 2002’s self-produced Under Rug Swept, but Morissette worked steadily, her albums reflecting an earned serenity while retaining the wit and insight that made her a cultural phenomenon in the ’90s. Morissette never shunned Jagged Little Pill–she launched anniversary celebrations and adapted the album for a Broadway musical–but such latter-day albums as Such Pretty Forks in the Road illustrated her musical and emotional growth. Here are all of Alanis Morissette albums ranked.
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10. Alanis Morissette: The Collection
“I’ve always felt Alanis Morissette sings like she has a never-ending cold, but I still love songs like “Thank You,” “Head Over Feet,” “Crazy,” “Hands Clean” and “Hand in My Pocket.” Lyrics like “I care, but I’m restless. I’m here, but I’m really gone” from “Hand in My Pocket” don’t contradict each other, but they come close and make sense, unlike many of today’s songs which are usually processed junk. Morissette’s hit songs on right here on the “The Collection,” and even if you’re not fond of her slightly annoying voice, the fun lyrics were what made me a fan.”
9. Jagged Little Pill Acoustic
“Enjoyable rendering of the original album. It appears to be a more considered work with Alison’s voice and diction centre stage. Her interpretations are subtle particularly with Ironic which is underplayed compared with the original. However You Oughta Know is the star of the album as it is as loud and piercing as the previous but elegantly weaved throughout with constraint and sarcasm. I think Alanis revisited these songs 10 years on and injected complexity into the whole project as her movements are finer, her voice clearer and subtler and the songs convey more shades.”
8. Such Pretty Forks In The Road
“Hearing the opening of the first song was to me like getting a visit from an old friend. I could see that she was not the Alanis who I first met many years ago, but her core and her essence was very much the same. I would agree with anyone who says that the album is predictably like what one would expect from Alanis but for me it’s not a bad thing. I definitely think all of the songs sound new and fresh but have the essence and the character that I’ve found in the songs I’ve loved that she’s put out throughout her career.”
7. Havoc And Bright Lights
“”Havoc and Bright Lights” is exhilarating with some songs having an Eastern Indian drum flair threading throughout. Alanis Morissette has always had a way with words that are more emphasized when put to music. Her songs are heart pouring confessionals.”
6. So-Called Chaos
“Alanis Morissette has made another strong album. Musically she follows the same direction pointed out on her previous album “Under Rug Swept”; this album is probably even more consistent. Lyrically she’s better than ever. She has the capability of writing songs about love and relationship without being trivial or sentimental. The album is a blend between melodic songs dominated by acoustic guitars and more hard rocking tunes. One song “Knees of My Bees” features a sitar which works really great. The highlights for me are “Out is Through”, “Doth I Protest too Much?”, “Not All Me” and the single “Everything”
5. MTV Unplugged
“Just amazing! Whenever I listen to this album I just wish I had been there during the unplugged sessions. Alanis did a really great job adding new flavours to her already existing masterpieces and she also delivered some new songs: “No pressure over cappuccino”(my favourite one), “these are the thoughts” and “uninvited” ( not new but previously to the release of this album was part of the soundtrack of City of angels) Alanis even had the guts to perform an impeccable version ( far better in my opinion) of the THe Police classic ” king of pain”.”
4. Under Rug Swept
“This release is kind of like Jagged Little Pill with a slightly older and wiser Alanis at the creative front. Under Rug Swept marks her first self-produced effort and the result is one of the best CD’s Morissette has released to date. Like JLP, Under Rug Swept offers a variety of emotions throughout, while each song seems to follow easily into the next, almost as if Morissette is writing about her continuing metaphysical journey filled with both the happiness and the heartaches of love and life. There isn’t a bad song on this collection with memorable hooks and melodies.”
3. Flavors Of Entanglement
“Each note and lyric of this album shines thru with outstanding clarity of heart and spirit! The songs included here show a true growth of character, a reserved humbleness befitting of a goddess, and serve as testimony of her lessons and trials. This collection not only pays homage to the hardships she has endured so far in her life, but also reminds us all that success and progress start from the inside and work themselves out. Alanis inspires us with her candid sense of place and purpose as never before. This album does a wonderful job at proving its roots within a secure, wise, and grounded woman. I can’t wait to hear more just like this.”
2. Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie
“It did take a few listens of the CD for all of the songs to grow on me, but after that break in period… I have decided that I love this CD!! I am an Alanis fanatic as it is, and some new material was a wonderful present to us. My favorite songs are “UR” “Unsent” “Baba” “Front Row” and “So Pure.” From the previous reviews, it looks like people really liked it, or didn’t like it and that has been my experience with Alanis Morissette.”
1. Jagged Little Pill
“It’s angry, it’s real, and it’s all around perfect. Alanis has yet to top this album, and I doubt she ever will. Doesn’t matter because there’s enough good songs here for 4 albums at least. You could actually release a best of Alanis with only these songs included. An album where every song is a complete winner. An essential from the 90’s.”
