It’s been four years since Alanis Morissette last released a new studio record. Yesterday, her new album, Flavours of Entanglement, went on sale, and it really is amazing. Under Rug Swept, from 2002, and So-Called Chaos, from 2004, both were great, lyrically and musically… But the new record has a whole range of new sound, style, and expression that is really compelling.
Citizen of the Planet could be a theme song for the mood among younger folks in America and Canada today. Two particularly dark tracks, the emotionally-gripping Straitjacket and the raw Versions of Violence both could have been on an Alanis album a decade ago — and they’re just as great today. Not As We is haunting, and maybe her best studio vocal ever. Each of the bonus tracks that come with the deluxe edition are amazing, especially Orchid and The Guy Who Leaves (although On the Tequila is great fun). One extra bonus track that came when you pre-ordered the album from iTunes, 20/20, reminds me a lot of a track from Björk that I love, I’ve Seen It All. It’s distinct, of course, but 20/20 now joins I’ve Seen It All as one of my most favourite songs ever.
Go buy it. In the meantime, enjoy Not As We, live:
Don’t forget to see the other live performances by Alanis from the new album over at Yahoo!.