Flavors Of Entanglement (Bonus Tracks)

"Citizen Of The Planet": The angst of life on this ever evolving earth. The instrumentation cradles her voice and the riffs are just under her tone.

"Underneath": This is classic Alanis, albeit with a twist. The twist is tasty and will make the very hairs on your body rise. The music is almost negated in the listener's mind with her voice so carefully placed within this track.

"Straightjacket": The perfect anthem for anyone with a co-dependency. I find this track most personal, perhaps you will too. Musically, this track is perfect and the programming grinds away like a lullaby.

"Versions Of Violence": The orchestrations on this track deserve a listen, this track is a rollercoaster of musical and emotional whims. Never judge a song by it's title.

"Not As We": A piano gift wrapped in the beauty that is her voice. Love.

"In Praise Of The Vulnerable Man": Perhaps a slight, every so slight, country riff. This song is a lyrical triumph as her voice etches the lyrics out in such a way that will delight even the hardest critic.

"Moratorium": A declaration, softly, of true independence. A perfect track, haunting yet overtly pleasant on all levels.

"Torch": A crooning track, my least favorite, although the lyrics bring this track to a five star.

"Giggling Again For No Reason": A pop treat with a sugar so sweet you'll almost gag with the delight of a bulimic. The programming is perfection here.

"Tapes": A metaphor, not in song. Autophrenia, perhaps.

"Incomplete": A swaying to and fro, perfect composition within the jewel that is this song.

"Orchid": Oversampling at it's finest. Her voice has never been more angelic. An orchid by any other name....

"The Guy Who Leaves": Great rock song with her lyrics of anger at a set point. This song boils away without leaving any salt behind in the pot.

"Madness": Her vocal is focal here, it works so perfectly. Don't blame anyone, not even yourself. Thank U for all you've given me in the world of negativity.

"Limbo No More": A balladesque track with sweeping vocals and trinklings of stars.

"On The Tequila": A fun song. The programming is wonderful. Lyrically, not that great.

I have enjoyed all of Alanis' albums, even while the world turned their back on her. Yes, they weren't all solid, even, and tremendous on first listening as Jagged Little Pill was, but they all grew on me to a point where I really enjoyed them. This new album is Alanis grown up, with a new sound mixed in with the old. I can't stop listening to it, I haven't changed my playlist in a week. Thank you Alanis for making a record I have to listen to over and over because I keep hearing new things and I am singing them in my head during the day!

If you are a mature listener (over 30?) who enjoyed Jagged Little Pill, I can not imagine you not loving this after a few listens. I downloaded this instead of getting the CD in the mail. Instant gratification! Wonderful! Brilliant grown-up pop!

Someone once said all the "it girl" singers live in fear that Alanis Morrissette will walk into the room. That still rings true. A beautiful voice, dynamic, yet subtle singing. Grab you by the throat lyrics. Alanis remains a cut above. She's been away too long. Check out "Madness" if you doubt her skill set. Thank you Alanis. Ryan's a fool!

Preface: I'm not an Alanis Morissette fan-boy, but I've always appreciated her alternative songwriting and the very open nature of her lyrics. She's always done a great job telling the story of her own internal struggles with the various challenges of life -- friends, family, other people, her own place in the world, etc. Every new Alanis album has been another layer of insight into her own life's exploration.

Knowing that every album has to grow on you, even from your favorite artists, I gave it several listens across different days (different moods, to be fair). Truly, this album is pretty bad. It has one or two likeable tracks, a few interesting hooks, and gives due credit to her still-awesome vocal abilities. But unless you like emo bands and the kiddie pop that seems to be popular right now, skip it. I say that with all due respect to a great artist, but really, save your money. I can't even suggest 'borrowing' the MP3s from somewhere to give it a try -- it's that far removed from anything else she's done, and so close to the emo band poop that's on the radio right now, you will just end up questioning your own judgment.

Nutshell:
If you like current emo-band pop radio drivel, you'll probably like this -- a lot.
If you liked prior Alanis albums -- even mostly -- you will probably really not like this.

Just an all-around great collection from Alanis. Had to listen to it twice, all the way through, before coming to that conclusion...her music takes more to absorb for me....but that's why she's great! The complex music that is behind her deep (although at times simply stated) thoughts....what a great mixture! I LOVE the extra songs that come with the deluxe edition....makes me wonder why they aren't on the main edition, they're so engaging. I gotta say, this is what Alanis is about...raw, deep, emotional music with a great beat. It is a great way for her to return to the music scene and reclaim the glory of her first and third CD.