While this is technically her third album, Alanis Morisette strikes a sympathetic chord with "Jagged Little Pill", and it seems like she's arrived out of the underground of alternative rock. However, her first two albums were centered around dance-pop, and were released well before her dramatic break-up with Dave Coulier in the early 90s. This, along with many other personal problems, led to the confection that is "Jagged Little Pill". Its title suggests an acid trip gone wrong, a description that seems appropriate yet not precisely accurate.
In context of the album's structure, "Jagged Little Pill" is definitely as jagged as it proclaims. It possesses an intense grit in both the music and Alanis' voice, which is definitely distinctive, yet it's not developed well. Sometimes it works, most specifically in "You Oughta Know", a bad-ass rocker track that tears into her ex-lover with no boundaries. But as anthemic as it can get, this album as a whole doesn't maintain a steady flow, and is either phenomenal or it completely misses the mark. Like the over-long "Forgiven", some songs play out like they were written by a sophomoric 19-year old, who has yet to settle into her own skin. And that will happen with any artistic change, especially from glossy sheens to screaming harmonicas, Alanis gets a little buried under the weight of her own ambitions. But at the same time, this over-exertion leads to some stellar moments. In addition to "You Oughta Know", "Hand in my Pocket" captures her inner-hippie very well, "Ironic" retains her pop roots but adds enough guitars and drums to make it lively, and "Head Over Feet" captures a moment when she is ready to open up to love a second time. Even if it's not completely sensational, "Jagged Little Pill" is still compelling, mostly due to its confessional nature. At its highs, this is as good as alternative rock gets in 1995, and at worst it just feels like a tired effort to show versatility. With that said, what makes this a worthwhile listen is how Alanis confronts her emotions dead on and articulates emotions so common, that most people would be ashamed to show them. From a lover once burned by love, she turns her angst into genuine and blown-out music. While none of these elements can make "Jagged Little Pill" perfect, they still craft a record that's exquisitely personal, and for the most part, it does its job of transitioning Alanis from an awkward teenager to a wise songwriter. With the help of expert producer Glen Ballard, it's sure one hell of a ride.
Recommended Tracks in Bold:
1. All I Really Want 2. You Oughta Know 3. Perfect
4. Hand in My Pocket 5. Right Through You 6. Forgiven
7. You Learn 8. Head Over Feet 9. Mary Jane
10. Ironic 11. Not the Doctor 12. Wake Up
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