Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
1995
Album Summary
Jagged Little Pill is the third studio album by Canadian singer Alanis Morissette, released on June 13, 1995, through Maverick. It was her first album to be released worldwide. It marked a stylistic departure from the dance-pop sound of her first two albums, Alanis (1991) and Now Is the Time (1992). Morissette began work on the album after moving from her hometown Ottawa to Toronto, making little progress until she traveled to Los Angeles, where she met producer Glen Ballard. Morissette and Ballard had an instant connection and began co-writing and experimenting with sounds. The experimentation resulted in an alternative rock album that takes influence from post-grunge and pop rock, and features guitars, keyboards, drum machines, and harmonica. The lyrics touch upon themes of aggression and unsuccessful relationships, while Ballard introduced a pop sensibility to Morissette's angst. The title of the album is taken from a line in the first verse of the song "You Learn". Jagged Little Pill was a worldwide commercial success, topping the charts in thirteen countries. With sales of over 33 million copies worldwide, it is one of the best-selling albums of all time and made Morissette the first Canadian to achieve double diamond sales. Jagged Little Pill was nominated for nine Grammy Awards, winning five, including Album of the Year, making the then 21-year-old Morissette the youngest artist to win the top honor up to that point. Rolling Stone ranked Jagged Little Pill at number 69 on its 2020 list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".The album has been re-released twice: on October 30, 2015, in a 2-disc deluxe edition and a 4-disc collector's edition commemorating its 20th anniversary; and on June 26, 2020, in a 25th anniversary deluxe edition. An acoustic re-recording of the album was released on June 13, 2005, to mark its 10th anniversary. A musical stage production based on the album premiered at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge on May 5, 2018; it transferred to Broadway the following year, and was nominated for 15 Tony Awards including Best Musical. A world tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of Jagged Little Pill began in early 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
WikipediaLet's get one thing out of the way: this album is DATED. The mixing, the songwriting, the instrumentation ... everything about this album firmly plants it in a specific time frame. Usually, that's a bad thing when the time frame is mid-90s. Somehow (and I'm not sure how, honestly), "Jagged Little Pill" manages to be both a perfect example of an album from '95 AND a great album. There are things that I don't like ... but not enough for me to give it anything less than 5 stars. There are too many great tracks. It demands a 5-star review.
Men on this list when they're broken up with: "The clouds in my heart shed cumulus tears / the pain won't mend for a matter of years" Women on this list when they're broken up with: "Does your new bitch even let you bust in her mouth?" Fuckin' A, Alanis. It's definitely one of the more dated sounding records the generator's handed out so far, but that didn't stop me from digging Neneh Cherry, and it doesn't stop me here. Nix some of the softer filler tracks and you have a real banger on your hands. Key tracks: All I Really Want, You Oughta Know, Right Through You
It's a noteworthy accomplishment for Alanis to represent such emotional and dark themes through an up-beat, mainstream pop driven instrumentation. The album is a collective statement and fierce representation of her artistry within the rock genre. There is no doubt that Alanis is one of the most unique and distinctive singer-songwriters in modern music history, which this album solidified. Stand-Outs: All I Really Want, Perfect (understated song), Head Over Feet, Ironic, You Oughta Know
Gen X's "Blue", which means that "Exile In Guyville" is Gen X's "Tapestry". I had those albums reversed at first until I remembered that, like Joni Mitchell, Alanis is from Canada. Besides, I prefer Guyville-Tapestry over Jagged-Blue, and I'm an actual Gen Xer, so I'm allowed to make my own silly rules. Your mileage may vary, but apparently Liz Phair and Alanis have become good friends. I guess it depends on whether you prefer blow jobs in a theater or getting fucked until your dick turns blue. They both sound like fun to me. A song as great as You Oughta Know deserves to be about someone other than Dave Coulier. I prefer the deep cuts over the hits here, and that's surely because everything released as a single after You Oughta Know was overplayed to the point of exhaustion. Alanis may not appreciate that. She doesn't seem to fully understand irony. But we shouldn't begrudge Alanis Morissette for that. She made a kick-ass album.
Alanis Morissette gives the post-break-up singer-songwriter confessional album a new and decisively 90's overhaul in a post-grunge, post-riot grrrl world. It's bitter, jaded and cynical pop-rock, meaning that her best lyrics are the most conversational and cutting, the lines which drip with sarcasm. The first moment of genius comes in the second verse of "All I Really Want", when she asks "why are you so petrified of silence- can you handle this?" And then everything cuts to a few seconds of dead silence... before the voice comes back in- "Did you think about your bills, your ex, your deadlines, or when you think you're gonna die, or did you long for the next distraction?" It's glorious. She sells her anger perfectly and convincingly throughout: "You Oughta Know", "You Learn" and of course "Ironic" glow with a perfect combination of visceral rage, lyrical insight and radio-friendly rock. On the other side of the spectrum are the more optimistic, plaintive "Hand in My Pocket" and "Head Over Feet", sticking out like sore and lovesick thumbs. They might be lyrically trite in comparison, but they still shine with their sweeter, more pop-friendly melodies. My problem lies with the songs that don't quite seem to hit either side well, either sitting awkwardly in the middle or just becoming unpleasant on the ears. "Forgiven" shoots for a "You Oughta Know" style catharsis, but just feels grating and repetitive when the previous tracks have already got there, and "Not the Doctor" suffers coming off the back of "Ironic", dipping the pace to a lolloping growl. "Wake Up" is a weak ending as Morissette mumbles and shrieks her way through, in search of both a strong hook and a definitive sign-off. I didn't really feel either arrived. I find Morissette's vocals very overbearing at times, but Glen Ballard's production is also part of the problem: his de-facto method for going "angry" or "confessional" is by upping the distorted guitars and bringing more searing, wailing vocals up front. Even though Morissette's lyrics and subject matter allows for it, there's not a lot of dynamic range in the sound, or different means of expression. It frustrates me that we don't get more dialled back material on the level of "Perfect" or "Mary Jane", both showcasing Morissette's versatility as a songwriter and a vocalist. I'm intrigued to hear there's an acoustic version of the album recorded ten years later- and will definitely check this out to see if the songs are served any better. Despite all this, I'm feeling generous and can't argue against the strength of a lot of the songwriting. Bearing in mind a lot of the records I have given 3* and like a lot less, it's scraping 4* here. Definitely worth a listen for any songwriters getting in touch with their angry side!
What is worse than something that is just bad? Something that almost is good sometimes, and then spoils it with more badness. Almost a 1, but "forgiven" and the really fantastic bass part on the otherwise blegh "you oughta know" saved it
5/28 Raw, emotional, mature. Standout Tracks: All I Really Want, Perfect, Forgiven, You Learn, Head Over Feet, Not the Doctor, Wake Up, You Oughta Know (Jimmy the Saint) / Your House
Ridiculously good alt rock album even though it is definitely something that could have only come out in the 90s. Experimental enough to make me question how this album became so popular in the first place
One of, if not THE first CDs I ever owned. I remember my dad being pissed that my mom let me listen to it. Def would’ve been a Lilith fair attendee
I've been meaning to listen to this for a while, and it turns out that about half of it are some of the most played radio hits of my childhood. All those songs are fantastic, and the deep cuts are good too.
Yes, she's angsty. But it's great writing, passionate songs. Really diverse and a great listen. I have to let my OCD relax listening to Ironic given that nearly all of her examples aren't really irony. Oi vey.
Oh 1995. That was 25 years ago and Alanis Morissette still sounds as original, as witty and as endearing as ever. The writing is frustrated without being angry, full of the gorgeous Gen X slacker irony (get it?) that has lost its way in the post internet days. While some may balk at Alanis' voice, the lyrics beneath it are so intricate and cutting that you can't help but sing along. There's pain, but there's triumph. Like "Hand in my Pocket" there's contradictions, there's a feeling of being stuck in the middle. Of feeling out of place. But then there's these moments of sweetness like on "Head over feet" full of the confused feeling that new love brings. Emotions are complicated, we're complicated and yet this album evokes that sentiment perfectly. Isn't that Ironic?
This middle finger to the patriarchy is just perfect. It's fun to give this a good listen as an adult with adult feelings. I felt the emotions of the album as a 12 year old but I understand the lyrics better as an adult.
crazy to go from Green Eyes on Mama's Gun to All I Really Want. I'm hooked immediately. Her rage just drips from every single note and vocal stab. Loads of different layers. It feels beat up and triumphant at the same time. Head Over Feet, You Outta Know, Ironic? All on the same album?
100/100 1 million / 5 God I fucking love this album so much lol. I can sing along to pretty much every song. No skips. Nostalgia. Feelings. Telling men theyre garbage. It’s all so. perfect.
Amazing album. Should devolve into meaningless trite but as good as it was 25 years ago.
I will always love this album, it will always take me back to emotional high school days. I'd blast this album and take long drives and sing at the top of my lungs
It's honestly a crime how long it's been since I listened to You Oughta Know. That song is incredible and the beginning of the album matches it. With songs that are an emotional TRIP, rocking instrumentation, and powerful lyrics, this is certainly one of my favorite albums I've heard so far. Overall, I think the harmonica solos are a negative (especially on Head over Feet) but at least they're unique. This album also sounds a lot like Dear Evan Hansen (or I guess more correctly DEH was probably inspired by Alanis Morissette). That's to say that it's really dramatic and I love it. Morissette also sounds like Idina Menzel at times which is also pretty cool and I see why this was turned into a musical. Favorite Songs: All I Really Want, You Oughta Know, Hand in My Pocket, Forgiven, Ironic, Not the Doctor Least Favorite Song: Head over Feet Decent 9/10
Honestly this shit fucking bangs. Lot of sneaky hits in this one that I liked more and more as I listened multiple times. A surprising 5 but a 5 nonetheless Saved: All I Really Want, You Oughta Know, Ironic*
The pedantic complaining about “Ironic” is *literally* the most annoying thing in the universe. You know what she meant. Everyone talks about this album being really bitter, but it’s actually the upbeat songs that are standout for me. Favourite track: “Head over Feet” is kinda the perfect love song.
No wasted tracks on this album. I knew most of the singles (6!) as a teen but never listened to the full album. Great stuff - catchy, edgy, angsty, varied.
I was worried going into this album that this was just gonna be another album that has a strong female vocalist with a piano. Within the first minute, my expectations were subverted. Alanis' voice matches the chaos of 90's alternative rock and the angst that comes with it. Highlights: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10.
Such a great album. When this album came out I was obsessed with Alanis Morissette. The mid-to-late 90s belonged to her. Every song on this album may not be perfect (only one is actually) but it is SO good and it just brings back so many memories...it is a solid 5/5 for me. Standouts: You Oughtta Know, Perfect, Hand in My Pocket, You Learn, Ironic, Right Through You, Head Over Feet. And in case you are wondering the one perfect song, is "Perfect". But You Oughtta Know that right?
The universe is fucking with me at this point. A whole album about losing someone you love to another woman. Cheers.
Consider how unlikely it was that this album ever existed: After recording a couple of successful Canadian teen dance/pop records Alanis Morissette gets dropped from her label. Then at age 21 comes back to deliver 12 powerful, unflinching, passionate, honest, deep, dramatic personal songs with a range and depth most people couldn’t express in a lifetime. This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime creations that sits at the top of the pile of my favorite albums. I don’t have a favorite song. Instead, how about some favorite moments… “Why are you so petrified of silence? Here, can you handle this?” - All I Really Want. “Every time I scratch my nails down someone else’s back I hope you feel it” - You Oughta Know (toxic males: please note how angry one can be without resorting to firearms). “We’ll love you just the way you are, if you’re perfect” - Perfect. “And what it all comes down to is that everything’s gonna be quite alright” - Hand in My Pocket. “You took me out to wine-dine-sixty-nine me, But didn’t hear a damn word I said” - Right Through You. “My brothers they never went blind for what they did but I may as well have” - Forgiven. “I recommend getting your heart trampled on to anyone” - You Learn. “You treat me like I’m a Princess, I’m not used to liking that, You ask how my day was” - Head Over Feet. “‘Cause all that matters, Mary Jane, is your freedom, So keep warm my dear, keep dry, Tell me what’s the matter Mary Jane?” - Mary Jane. “Life has a funny, funny way of helping you out” - Ironic. “I don’t want to be the sweeper of the eggshells that you walk upon and I don’t wanna be your other half, I believe that one and one make two” - Not The Doctor. “We’ll there’s an apprehensive naked little trembling boy with his head in his hands, and there’s an underestimated and impatient little girl raising her hand” - Wake Up. “So forgive me, love, If I cry in your shower, So forgive me love, For the salt in your bed” - Your House
What were you doing when you were 21? This woman was recording a masterpiece. Incredible.
Wait, she was 20 when she co-wrote and recorded this? Whoa. It's a nearly perfect album, and yet another one I've never listened to as such. This is why I'm here. I don't need to go on about the perfection of the six singles that came from this album. They speak for themselves. But in the context of an hour of listening it's all the more amazing how they go together with each other and the rest of the songs. "Perfect" will make you gulp (at the least!) if you're the parent of a teenager. I like that there's a raw edge to the singing in this one. "Right Through You" is so timely. Why didn't we talk about this more in 1995? You could make a two line poem from "You took a long, hard look at my ass/And then played golf for a while." That says all you need to know. "Your shake is like a fish/You pat me on the head" Ew. Ew. Ew. So happy she gets revenge. "Forgiven" is a powerful, emotional real song that goes so well with "Perfect." That anguished adolescent struggle to figure out how to reconcile who you feel you are, who you want to be, with who you are told you are supposed to be. Which is all the more terrifying for those who are threatened with eternal damnation for getting it wrong. "Mary Jane" was the one non-single that most grabbed my attention the most while listening through the album the first time. I've known a number of Mary Janes in my life and this brought them to mind vividly. "Not the Doctor" seems to be a good sequel and prescription to Mary Jane. "Wake Up" is a lovely end to the original album. Special bonus for the special bonus a cappella track "Your House." Scoring these albums has been tricky. I think about balancing the quality of singing, the backing music (interesting instrumentation played well), the songwriting and lyrics, the collection and progression of songs as an album, whether it's got a good beat and I can dance to it, and so on. Rating this album is easy, 'cause yes.
Catchy, emotionally charged, sonically fun and somewhat experimental for its time. While this isn't a frequented genre for me, I think this is peak 90s pop/rock that has aged pretty well.
Raw. An incredibly performed record. No notes. Favorite tracks: "Mary Jane", "Ironic", "All I Really Want", "Hand In My Pocket"
It seems to me this was a much more influential and groundbreaking album then it gets credit for. I remember see her the first time on SNL and being taken aback. I think this is a great album.
i have always loved this album. you oughta know is just BOMB. new appreciation for forgiven.
Oh yes, a quintessential 90s classic. A fantastic listen from start to finish, with good songs throughout and massive hits inbetween.
Fantastic bit of nostalgia. There is not a bad track on this - excellent lyrics and great music (albeit dated firmly in the 90s) Five stars well earned. Oooh, but does she actually understand the meaning of "ironic"? Who cares!
I think this still holds up well. A few lines are a bit clunky but that was probably always part of the appeal anyway - Alanis laying her individuality and attitude out there, no effs given. And there are some cracking 90s alt-rock tunes to boot. 4.5, but I'll round up. It's what my sister would want. Also, I've just found out Flea features on this record. Every day's a school day.
Me and Kate joke that this is the greatest album ever written.....but it's not entirely a joke, this angsty album is full of tunes that feel very nostalgic now, sound of 90s. Alanis has an interesting voice and the production on this album puts the vocals right in your face. There's also some interesting guitar parts and vocal melodies throughout
One of my favourite albums ever. Every song is amazing, her vocals are so raw and emotional. Phenomenal.
This is a taste-defining album for me - one of the first CDs I owned. Still love it. The anger and rage filtered through grungy 90s pop hooks land perfectly.
A one of a kind talent! Love this album. Favorite tracks: You Learn, One Hand in my Pocket, You Oughta Know
Love this album; it has some great energy and fun lyrics. The music doesn't stand out too much, but it is also are on point.
I love this album, and I love Alanis Morissette, so this is going to be a biased review. There is something distinct about her sound and vocals that makes her stand out. Even if I'd never heard some tracks before, I'd know it's her because she's just that unique. Apart from the classic Ironic, all the other tracks are worth listening to too.
I don't think I'm the right audience for this album, but it sure is classic to me. I also mentally tie it a bit to Wildflowers, in the way the singer partnered with a producer to make a mid-90s emotionally resonant classic. Yeah, she oversings, but the rough takes make it even better. Hadn't pulled this out in a very long time. Oh, and that song with Navarro and Flea makes me think of an alternate history of Alanis over Chili Peppers compositions.
Another surprisingly great record. Alanis is a great songwriter, and you can tell by the composition of these songs that the production was also top notch.
My sister bought this record and I acted too cool for it even though I was intrigued. There were so many singles from the record. And Taylor Hawkins was her touring drummer. He slays in a performance of "You Oughta Know" on Letterman. This record is Morrissette's finest moment, by far.
Long time ago that I listened to this album as a whole. And it turns out to be even much better than I remembered. Not just the singles but all songs are top class: golden melodies, passionate vocals. It's aggressive and moving, tender and strong. A landmark of the nineties.
Maybe it's just nostalgia but this really worked for me. I forgot how many singles this album had and how much radio airplay it got. I won't say I'm an Alanis fan but it's hard not to give something 5 stars that I had so much fun listening to.
Alanis Morissette was inescapable in the mid to late 90s. I'm 95% sure I never owned this album, but the 5% is there because I know several of these songs by heart anyway. A fresh listen several years later reveals something raw and brutally honest, not to mention replayable. This album was lightning in a bottle. Best track: You Oughta Know
Este fue de los primeros CDs que tuve y la verdad es que qué buen disco. Me da gusto saber que ha envejecido con gracia y en esta ocasión me gustaron más las letras, supongo que de lo que habla me es más cercano ahora que cuando salió. You Oughta Know y Hand In My Pocket fueron las mejores, pero todas las canciones son buenas.
It's been easily a decade since I've listened to this album from front to back but the summer of '95 is was on perpetual repeat. That year I was a theater projectionist, but also for extra cash I cleaned three of the theaters in that six plex 3 mornings a week. Those audiences were absolute pigs. Endless popcorn spills, sitting on top of endless streams of sticky gross pop spills. SO. MUCH. MOPPING. This album helped me through that time, blasting it through the speakers. I can honestly say this album is as solid as it gets from start to finish with great songs to empower you through a time when for me things were not great. She was going through some shit. I was going through some shit of my own. She was a great shoulder to lean on. Great nostalgia trip going through this one again.
5/5 This album is so classic. I know every song so well. I thought that when it came up on the list I would think it was dated and lost some of its power, but nope, still great. love it.
Main vocals are nasal and strident and demanding of attention. Many statements are imperatives, even the questions. Guitar sounds like a second voice with lots of power chords and progression. Unlike modern pop, complex melodic ideas that breathe on their own instead of simple ideas with complex harmonic interweaving. Rhythm slots around melody and harmony.
i loved the album especially the lyrics i cried with mary jane, the production feels so fresh and balanced i think my favourite songs at first listen are mary jane, you learn and hand in my pocket
I really like Alsnis Morissette and this is definitely one of her greatest albums. Although she sings off key sometimes I still really love her energy and her lyrics.
Great, fun album. My rating is however biased because I was already familiar with her music.
I've listened to a bunch of songs off of this album over the last year, but I haven't listened to the whole thing in nearly 25 years. The first half of this album is full of great songs. Her voice is powerful, and despite the fact that it hits some sour notes from time to time, it kind of fits with the passion of the album 4/5
I've listened to this album many times over the years, but it was fun to listen to the whole thing as an album. It holds up really well for the most part and brought back memories of first hearing it playing in my college bookstore!
I listened to this one as a kid, lots of memories here, but it has never been a breakup album for me.
you know what? i really fuck with it. it's ironic how straightforward alanis is given her most famous song is called "ironic". ok i'm done. fav track: hand in my pocket
I dig this. Her voice might not be for everyone but I think it does the 90s, young woman angst pretty well. Also more than half of this record is singles that were incredibly successful. The main focus is her lyrics but the playing on this record is nothing to slouch over either (Flea makes an appearance). Overall, solid 90s album. Favorite song: You Oughta Know Least favorite song: Not the Doctor
Listening back I am starting to see how it was turned into a musical, and I’d actually like to see it. Had some great flashbacks to when I was a kid in the 90’s and played this album a lot. Great portrait of the angsty 90’s pop rock and her voice comes through well on songs like “perfect”
That was my first time listening to the entire album. I believe this was enough to finally erase Alanis’ pop songs from memory.
Man I forgot just what a giant this album is, so many hits. Her voice and style opened the doors for so many.
I liked this one quite a lot. I enjoyed the singing, the variety between songs and also the background music which usually sounded pretty simple superficially but still seemed to offer a lot of depth and variety between songs. Good album!
This album is a classic. Alanis manages to pack all of her greatest hits into one project, and even the most icons ones for the wrong reasons. A great blend of pop and alternative, with simple song themes of love and heartbreak. Favorite Song: You Oughta Know
i actually liked the album, it's nice but not as much as i thought it'd be, but it's something more personal, it's not a bad album. This one's pretty good, such a nice production, good letters and that's it good, but not that much. My favorite ones are Forgiven and You Oughta Know. Nice album, liked it.
I never liked female voices, and my 90s were all about grunge stuff mostly. However, I loved this album, hugely! It's fantastic. It's so out of my usual likes it always surprises anyone I confess to. You Oughta Know is one of the all time greatest pop songs, without question. I still love the album now, I haven't heard it in a while, this was a welcome reunion.
All I Really Want - Very good You Oughta Know - Amazing Perfect - excellent Hand In My Pocket - good Right Through You - very good Forgiven - amazing You Learn - very good Head Over Feet - excellent Mary Jane - excellent Ironic - amazing Not the Doctor - very good Wake Up - very good 9/10
loved "you oughta know" (Ofc), "hand in my pocket" OMFGGG this is such a good female empowerment album
Damn, for some reason I wanted to not like this album. In spite of that I really enjoyed the hell of it. It really rocks in so many ways.
Had heard some of the songs previously but ended up really enjoying the whole album. Love the angst and capture of the mid-90s
I've heard a few Alanis Morissette songs in my life, and they're all on this album. It had like five hit singles apparently? That's kind of insane.
A total classic, an enjoyable angsty album! Never listened to the whole thing through before.
My sisters listened to this album on repeat for about 2 years during my teens. At the time I hated it, probably because of the amount I’d heard it at home but also on the radio. The fact that my sisters liked it probably added to it. As I’ve aged, I’ve mellowed to it and it’s now just nostalgia from my youth and I can appreciate the album more. Lots of catchy tunes, lots of angst lyrics
Great to finally hear the whole album. The singles still hold up, I wasn’t as into all of the songs but it is still an iconic album
Loved Ironic, You Oughta Know, Forgiven, All I Really Want rest of album was still decent but other songs don't stand out as much.
Wow the first CD I bought as a 10 year old. Happy to report my musical tastes have evolved significantly in the past 25 years, but this album still left a mark. I'll always remember trying to understand the lyrics and not knowing what to make of (that hasn't changed). On this listen, I was still impressed by Flea's bass on You Oughta Know and all those jangly guitar effects and 90s production tricks. Not all has aged well, but still something I'll come back to in 25 more years.
This is such a great album. What more can be said, this is one of those albums that stands the test of time.
I really wanted to hate this album and tell Alanis to get over herself, you’ve been dumped. It happens. Coupled with the incessant, whiny vocal style I was pre disposed to hating it. BUT... There are some good rock anthems here and she has a good set of pipes on her. Coupled with a good quantity of radio tracks, this album turned out to be really rather excellent.
Played it to bits when it came out … But don’t really go back to it … 🤔 Some great songs and not even 20 from the heart lyrics and very immediate vocal performances … takes me back to a time and place in the soundtrack of my life
One from my teens. Enjoyed listening to it again after 25 years. Some weak songs but the good ones are still good
It's so fucking emotional and rich. Man, I fucking love her on the low. You oughta know man, She is just talking that fucking shit and I love it. Add in hands in my pocket and Ironic. Super solid album. Just emotions on full display with no covering it. AAAAHHHH fucking love it.
Raw and powerful vocals overlaying catchy alt rock melodies. Production value is among one of the best of the era. Morissette would play a pivotal role in female representation in pop music to come, inspiring dozens of female musicians such as Katy Perry, Pink, and Shakira. I absolutely love the raw emotion and mood shifts that Morissette uses to reach the audience beyond the lyrics. Favorite tracks are You Oughtta Know, Hand in My Pocket, and Forgiven.
Took me back in time and I forgot just how many catchy hooks were on there. Also some irritating vocalization, but definitely a good bit of nostalgia and good to hear a strong female voice!
Mid 90's production abound but you can't fault the strength of these songs or the influence this album had on other female singer songwriters mining that angst. Best Tracks: All I Really Want; You Oughta Know; Ironic
I’m not too sure why I hadn’t heard this whole album before. It’s probably because I’ve heard about half the songs a million times over 25 years so I figured I’d heard the best of it. All the songs on here are jams though.
Everyone knows this album, and has a favorite song off of it. Radio airplay was much better than I thought, and there are so many slappers packed in to this one album. Good job Alanis
I feel like Thursdays are turning into the emotionally devastated days, this is a superb album
“As slick as the music is, the lyrics are unvarnished and Morissette unflinchingly explores emotions so common, most people would be ashamed to articulate them."
actually can't say I've listened to any part of the album other than the hits. I'm shocked how much I like the balance of the album. deserves it's credit.
So many classics. Amazing how many iconic singles are packed into a single album. You Learn is likely my favorite. 4/5
This is a tough one with no half star options. Easily a solid 3.5 rating so almost went with 4, and maybe back in the day I might have but with age and how many other killer albums I foresee rating as a 4, couldn't bring myself to give a 4 (still almost did based on a few songs). Used to listen to this album a lot when it first came out, enthralled by Alanis's unique voice, anger and aggression. And then there was the crush I used to have on her odd, lanky beauty😊. Close to a pop album but some hard, fun and insightful lyrics (will she go down on you in a theater, I'm brave but I'm chicken shit, you like pain but only if it doesn’t hurt too much) coupled with some good instrumental mixes (harmonica on All I Really Want, hard beat on Right Through You, guitar riff on Not the Doctor [along with style and lyrics vaguely reminds me think of Ani Difranco, save the chorus]), I can get pass the poppiness of Ironic (I preferred the other hit of Hand in my Pocket) and the ballad of Perfect, which I used to skip over. While I always appreciated the passion and emotion of Mary Jane, seemed to hit a little more close to home being on the downhill side of the roller coaster…The last chance street car went off the track and you're on it...What's the point of trying to dream anymore...Are you happy…
ITS LIKE RAIIINNNN ITS A FREEE RIDEEE ITS THE GOOD ADVIICEEE. Alanis Morissette. She is fun. Some notes are unexpected. I like it. One second its sleepy next its crayzay. one hand in my pocket. ironic. you oughta know. wasn't able to listen to entirety of album. 5/10
Bien arreglado, la voz de A.M. se siente muy natural y cruda, y el aire grunge en general le quda muy bien.
This classic album from Alanis Morissette features a heavy backdrop of anger and angst which is channeled into post-grunge. This album is powerful and demands to be heard. Though I don't think this album is as successful as some of its contemporaries, it is extremely important in the history of popular music and is incredibly influential.
Some nice tunes I had forgotten about on this album - genrally just not the biggest Alanis Morissette Fan but that blast from the past was nice
When first released, I was too much into Britpop and indie bands to appreciate this album and judged this album as too poppy. Over time, however, I’ve grown much fonder of JLP and turn to it every once in a while for that 90s crystal clear nineties production nostalgic pop guitar radio sound, released at a time when selling aggressively marketed records actually made labels money. Alanis is a hoot, chucking everything into the vocals and sticking it to ex lovers. I’m also reasonably confident now that the lack of irony in Ironic was a deliberate ironic joke. And I was today years old even I learned Flea plays the incredible bass part on You Oughta Know rendering this album the perfect expression of how the nineties sounded.
Alanis nous offre une proposition musicale beaucoup plus hétérosexuelle que son frère Morrissey, présentant également beaucoup moins de racisme. Seul point commun, une pochette minable. On a beau chercher à refouler son éducation, les gênes finissent toujours par nous influencer.
solid sound, I had listened to a lot in the past, but seems overblown listening to it now.
Best Song: All I Really Want. It feels like lurking behind every lyric and note is a barely unspoken "Fuck You." Worst Song: Hand in my Pocket. I like the lyrical theme of "I'm one thing but I'm also juxtaposed opposite thing", but the conceit of "I've got one hand in my pocket and the other..." is so silly it takes me out of the song every time. ESPECIALLY when the other hand is playing the piano. Overall: A really good album that feels raw and adventurous, but occasionally gets in its own way with lyrics that try too hard to be clever and just come off as goofy. I won't beat the dead horse of the song "Ironic", but it hinders an album that otherwise runs with such an intensity it feels like it might come off the tracks at any moment. Also, this was my first time hearing the a cappella outro to "You Oughta Know" as the final track of the album, and it really demonstrates how incredible a voice Alanis Morissette has.
It's aged poorly and other artists did this but better. That being said, Morissette can write a half decent pop song
A classic breakup album. Ironically, probably my least favourite track is the most well-known one. Some really good driving basslines underpinning solid 90s rock
1/31/2021 Today's Album: "Jagged Little Pill" by Alanis Morissette - This album is starting off very well with the track, "All I Really Want," which has a really cool harmonica and distorted guitar, which is kinda my bread and butter. Not huge on her vocals but they sort of have their own charm at the same time. Reminds me a lot of Avril Levine. You Oughta Know is a pretty fun song with a crazy chorus and an incredible bass grove throughout. The placement of the guitar in the mix on this one is also really pleasant. There's some nice psychedelic guitar chords too and I can actually see why this song is insanely popular even if it is kinda dated. It's really catchy and her vocal performance is actually really impressive, even if it is strangely accented. She feels like both squeaky-clean teen pop artists like Avril and marketed mom rock artists like Adelle but it's actually very well done. Perfect was more laid back but still really well done. Hand in My Pocket I had heard before and it is an absolute banger and a classic. Right through you is a little more basic for her, but it keeps the flow of the album going in a really great way. Forgiven is a darker track, which is okay but it follows another pretty basic track so it just doesn't hit in a very impactful way for me. Still, she goes absolutely crazy vocally in this track and sounds almost like evanescence. You Learn is a nice uplifting track about how you learn from every experience you have good or bad and I think its really well done. Head Over Feet is a pretty nice love song and I think it sounds pretty nice. Mary Jane is also a nice uplifting song that might also be about weed but who knows...Ironic is obviously a gigantic hit and honestly has aged well in my opinion. Not the doctor is a break up song and goes well as a closer to the last 2 songs. It's bitter and clever and overall solid. Wake Up is a nice closer, but the ending really shines with the extra reprise of You Oughta Know with the extra amazing vocal performance in Jimmy the Saint Blend. I think its a really interesting and powerful way to end things off. Overall, this album is a classic screenshot of the late 90s and early 2000s and I enjoy it still a lot Score: 8.5/10 Pretty good :) Highlights: All I Really Want, You Oughta Know, Hand in My Pocket, You Learn, Head Over Feet, Ironic, You Oughta Know - Jimmy the Saint Blend
I probably hadn't explicitly listened to this album in 20+ years but still know virtually every part of it. This album was *everywhere* in the mid-late 90s. Sometimes I can't really tell if I *like* it or not - there are (many) times where Alanis' voice is tough to take, and especially on the opening track "All I Really Want" but at the same time it's catchy as hell... ...which might be a review of every single song on the album - almost to a track, they're each catchy in their own unique way. It's an impressive record in terms of variety - from the alt-rock of "You Oughta Know" to the top-down easy-going sound of "Hand In My Pocket" and the by-now overplayed and over-memed "Ironic" it doesn't really get boring. It sounds really good too - I enjoy the creative double/multi-tracking of her vocals in spots which really punches through the mix. Not that it really matters but she was 21 when she wrote these songs (with Glen Ballard) which is amazing. Her vocal imperfections while occasionally distracting are actually interesting to me (still in the era of not correcting every single note) in that you're hearing her emotion [also apparently most of the songs' vocals were done in one or two takes]. You can almost call this a/the quintessential 90s album - put this on and you're instantly back in time. It's definitely an important album and worth hearing for sure...couldn't figure whether 3 or 4 but i'll give it the nostalgic bump. 7/10 4 stars.
Great '90s sound. A lot of reviews are calling this "dated" and that may be, but in another sense it was ahead of its time. Maybe "timeless" is a better word?
One of the first albums i ever bought. Probably havent listened to in well over a decade. Never realized how Canadian it sounds.
I'd forgotten how many singles there were on this album. Can anyone name a song by Alanis that's not on this album?
Someone gave me this CD as a gift back in 199Whatever and I was sooooo disappointed by the mere suggestion that anyone thought this was something I might actually enjoy. Did they not notice my Helmet t-shirt? What else is a kid supposed to do to advertise that they ain't down with some pop-alt girl rock shit, ya know? And then I finally listened to it and... I didn't hate it. I think my big hurdle was just not really being sold on the whole angry image that "You Oughta Know" carried with it when that song was shot out of a canon and suddenly absolutely everywhere. Plus, I'm on the record as hating harmonicas in general, so that was a strike against her. But the more you listen here the more the likability of Alanis comes across and the catchiness of some of these songs either works or it doesn't. It mostly works for me. What I'm saying is that it kind of won me over, in spite of me. And THAT's ironic, Craig.
It's good, I enjoyed it. I found the first few tracks to be not that great (the first song was my least favorite one - not great for my prejudicial brain) but it generally got better as the album progressed. Great songs like "Hand in my Pocket", "Head Over Feet", "Wake Up" and of course "Ironic".
Classic 90s grungy pop. Some all time greats and solid filler. Love “You Oughts Know” and “Hand in my Pocket”
The hits are hits, but the slow songs turn me off too much. If it was an album all of "You Outta Know, it would be my jam"
This was my first time listening to Alanis Morissette and I enjoyed a lot! Of course the album is super dated, it has the full essence of the 90s. But thats not a bad thing. Super fun to listen to! Favorite tracks: * Ironic * Hand In My Pocket * You Oughta Know
Classic 90's stuff. Was a MASSIVE hit when I was a teen. Still holds its own. Bonus points for having RHCP members as the backing band.
Excellent album at the time of release, does sound a little dated now, but still good quality.
Blast from the past. Didn't like her ballads very much, but the upbeat songs were all strong. Unique voice and a very memorable style.
This is a fine album and You Oughta Know is a GREAT song. And there are other good songs as well. It does get a little precious at times and perhaps a little self indulgence too but ot doesn't detract enough to think of Jagged Little Pill as anything less than a very good album. 3.75 🌟
I'm old enough to remember- vaguely, mind you- when Alanis broke big and how ubiquitous this album was. Maybe not THAT ubiquitous, since my mom didn't have it, but You Oughta Know was clearly a big deal. It's honestly kind of surprising that Alanis could break so big with how raunchy it gets when pop was mostly pretty sterile back then. Like sure, this is basically just proto-Good 4 u and back then, rappers and grunge bands could get away with f bombs, but imagine Mariah. The rest of the album is pretty good too, although I never liked You Learn. A perfectly solid pop album. B
Fucking love the over-the-top vocal performance on this, it has so much character. I remember enjoying her singles quite a bit when I was young, and I still do. Lyrics are angry and edgy. So many memorable choruses that have stuck with me forever, even though I haven't listened to this album in maybe over 20 years. Could've been a song or two shorter but apart from that, I still love this.
Good album. Brought me back to middle school. There's enough catchy little ditties here to make this a 4/5
Reminds me of Kevin, coincidentally my heart rate monitor wouldn’t connect. Coincidence? You oughta know.
Un dels àlbums més recordats dels '90. Una Morisette emprenyada i angustiada deixa enrera el pop teenager dels seus primers dos discos i carrega amb la mala llet pròpia de l'època. Un número apreciable de hits de la década es condensen aquí, des de 'You Oughta Know' a 'Hand in My Pocket' o 'Ironic', passant per 'All I Want' o 'Head Over Feet'. Molt a prop de ser un clàssic 5* noventer
I’d forgotten how great some of this album is. There’s a few songs that I’ve skipped over the years. They felt new to me this time. I guess I’ve always skipped them.
Quick re-listen, as I listen to this quite often anyway. It's really, really good - crackles with energy, switches moods all quite smoothly, and there's not a bad song on it I don't think? 4/5, great stuff.
Really enjoyed that album, listened to it on a lovely sunny drive down to football and it hit the spot in lots of ways. And will relisten too.
Excelente disco con ciertos toques de rock, acompañados de una gran voz. Y con canciones muy bien construidas y pegadizas
I have listened to this album 10,000 times because my sister played it that many times when we were in high school, but I probably haven't heard it all the way through in 20 years. The first song is brash and abrassive and almost makes me turn it off. But after that it settles into an album of hit after hit, and I enjoyed listening to it again after all these years.
You oughta know it's ironic how i fell head over feet for this album. Pocket hand Sha Sha Sha. 4
It was nice to hear this. As a teenager I was very unfair about this album as my sister loved it. I realise now it's pretty darned great.
I haven't heard this full album since I was a kid when Alice had the tape. Will be fun to listen through again, probably get a bit long towards the end tho. The bigger songs from it are still on the radio so that's gotta say something. The lyrics are pretty cringey, lots of cliche "basic white girl" stuff going on. Mostly it reeks of a teenager trying to write "adult" songs (which it basically is). I know everyone has pointed out how none of the things in ironic are actually ironic, and I know Alanis has pretended it's all a big joke and she was in on the gag the whole time, but if so, why is the rest of it so fucking humourless? But that being said it's catchy enough with its poppy version of the grunge feel. I didn't know Dave Navarro and Flea were on the big single. Cool. 3/5.
This shit sound like mom alt-rock, kinda stuff you hear on the way home from second grade. You Oughta Know and Hand in My Pocket were smash hits, and Hand in my Pocket is probably my favorite song. I enjoyed it, but the songs seemed kind of basic and samey, might listen again 5/8.
You Outta Know is and has always been a banger. This album definitely has some hits, but I am unable to pinpoint an overall feeling of like or dislike. I dont know how I feel about the vocals... hmmm
Better than stone roses. Ironic is good. You oughta know sounds like it should be in high school musical
I don't love her voice--a little annoying, and some of the songs are cheesy/corny beyond enjoyability. Some of the tracks are quite good, and the musicianship is clean, but not my vibe overall
Fun nostalgia trip to the 90s. I don't understand why 'Perfect' was allowed onto the album. Flat wailing over a naked track ruins a perfectly good vibe up to that point. Plenty of hits make up for it though. A strong 6/10 for me. Without 'perfect' and 'forgiven' it would have crept to a 7/10.
Favorites: All I Really Want, You Oughta Know, Right Through You, You Learn, Head Over Feet, Not the Doctor Third studio album of Morissette, would go on to become one of the best selling albums of all time, even having a Broadway musical made off of it. Critically lauded, it was a significant album in paving the way for early 2000's female singers like Shakira, Pink, Avril Lavigne, and many more. Departure from her previous albums which were more dance pop, this album features a grungy alternative rock sound.
for its time it was a great album. You can see the influence she's had on the rock genre in the following years. But compared to modern music that I listen to, it simply cannot keep up. 4.5 for its time, 1.5 now average -> 3
mom and GF had this. I know all the songs. It is quntesesial 90's music. A little cringy. I'm surprised by how unpolished and raw her voice is on some songs.
It is okay - a bit whining sound to the whole thing but I can understand why it was popular in '95.
you oughta know is a good song, uncle Joey, flea and Navarro are bad bad men hand in my pocket is another great song "'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket And the other one is hailin' a taxi cab" you learn, say the line "And I don't wanna be your other half I believe that one and one make two" ironic is ironic 3 or a 4 depends, 3 out of 4 for me
It's not bad but I wouldn't really listen to this much. Her voice can be grating on a few songs like perfect.
watched the music video for 'ironic' for the first time not long ago. looking at the track list i already know the songs with over 100m streams. something about the way she sings reminds me of grimes. like, she's just doing whatever lol. but also shakira. 'perfect': why go to therapy when i can make a song about it. oh i've also heard 'you learn' on the radio. lol 'head over feet' too. this album must have been massive. i appreciate everything so far, not really my thing but it's pretty good. well i'm done. not a lot to say.
Este disco lo escuché tanto en su época que hoy en día lo he aborrecido. Fue el primer disco que ripee yo mismo en mp3 usando un Pentium 133 y que tardaba más o menos 1 hora por canción. Me gustaba como sonaba parecido a The Cramberries o The Sundays o incluso a Everything but the girl antes de la electrónica. A día de hoy creo que sigue siendo un gran disco pero el éxito desbordó todo y no tuvo una continuación que lo convierta en algo trascendente. Carne de radio fórmula. Lo dejo en 3 estrellas aunque en otra época habrían sido 4 o puede que 5.
This is pretty good. Bits of it reek of a poorly-aged in-your-face 90s grunge rock attitude, but Alannis' voice is great and there's some really good tracks on here, along with some powerful messages from herself lyrically
Like an angry version of Friends. Anthemic, feminist themed. Vocals start to jar after a while but some interesting lyrics in parts.
edgy lite rock that doesn't get too hot topic. gritty and interesting vocals give a raw, charged emotion. Every song could be the ending credits scene for a 90s teen drama.
Her voice is a bit distracting on some tracks. Some others it works well. I think if I was in the mood I would enjoy this album more.
Voice and music not bad, very talented. But people need to avoid screamming unskillfully in songs, meaninglessly.
Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette (1995) Vocally prodigious, Alanis Morissette delivers bold but sputtering lyrics on this breakout album, convincingly expressive of teenage angst. She was only a kid at the time. Assisted by a talented tag team of studio musicians and creative producers and engineers, the effort yields a fine collection of tracks. Compositionally, there are flashes of brilliance (e.g., the unique rhythmic variations on “Mary Jane”), but most of the marketable creative elements are in the vocal stylings and innovative arrangements. Her vocal quality slips a bit on soft airy passages (“Perfect”), but when she snarls, she soars. Bleating and cursing her way into angry relationship-starved plaints (like “You Oughta Know”), she reveals a soul that seems to know what it wants, but is a little short on the wants of others—not exactly narcissistic, but intensely self focused. Is there such a thing as toxic femininity? (No, I think that must be a contradiction in terms.) These are songs that lead the listener inward, for better or worse. Young men who listen closely (especially “Head Over Feet”) might well give up. Her religious reflection, “Forgiven” is horrifyingly clever, but is clearly the product of an under-catechized conscience. Boomers like me might celebrate the explanatory power of the Gen X sentiments expressed in these songs—an essential task before even hoping to understand Millennials, Gen Z, or my Generation Alpha digital native grandchildren. She sings “What it all comes down to is that I haven’t got it all figured out just yet, ‘cause I’ve got one hand in my pocket, and the other one is giving a peace sign”. I’m not quite following the logic here, but I can embrace the perspective. One can only wish her happiness. 3/5
Doesn’t remotely live up to “You Oughta Know”. Also totally forgot about “Ironic”, the song that 1) helped kill the word irony and 2) infamously isn’t. 5/10
The protagonist of Jagged Little Pill is a little girl with mood swings. The album lives from catchy melodies, and especially from the track Ironic, in which the change of tones in the chorus is extremely emotional. In this little dramatic monologue, Morissette reveals an amazing flair and can speak, whisper, scream and modulate with equal ease, only to explode into a shrill teenage tone. (6/10) FT: Mary Jane, Ironic
Genre: Pop Rock 3/5 As much as I anticipated this to be a re-run of Sheryl Crow’s album on this list, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed of this album! Heck, I was close to giving this thing a 4. The hits are there, for sure, Ironic and You Oughta Know are classics, but what’s also present is some powerful lead vocals, some really clean 90s production that isn’t too electronic, and some decent rock ‘n roll chops throughout this thing. Way more enjoyable than it needed to be.
La sœur cachée de l'irrécupérable Morrissey s'en donne à cœur joie sur ce disque. Pour remettre celui-ci dans son contexte, Morrissette venait de publier sa thèse universitaire dans laquelle elle tentait de démontrer le succès de sa théorie dite des "modulations vocales". L'idée était la suivante : changer très vite de hauteur, d'intensité, de débit et de timbre avec sa voix sur fond de rock'n'roll est la clé pour réussir un album de musique. Pour Morrissette, la dernière étape du processus consistait à enregistrer un CD mettant cette théorie en pratique afin de venir appuyer sa thèse. De nombreux musiciens sont mobilisés dans un studio privatisé pour une semaine. Alanis pose alors sa voix en utilisant ses fameuses modulations vocales, d'abord de manière très parcimonieuse. Mais rapidement, Morrissette perd le contrôle de ses modulations qu'elle utilise bientôt à outrance devant des producteurs totalement dépassés par la situation. "Arrête Morrissette, on a ce qui faut, c'est bon !" crie-t-on derrière la vitre du studio. La chanteuse n'en entend pas un mot et s'en va essayer de repousser les limites de sa théorie, accompagnant ses modulations vocales de gestes amples avec les bras. Au bout d'une demi-heure, celle-ci s'écroule à bout de souffle sur le sol et ne se réveillera que trois jours plus tard à l'hôpital. Une infirmière lui apporte peu de temps après son réveil un CD gravé des pistes enregistrées au studio. Sur celui-ci est inscrit "Jagged Little Pill" du nom des pilules qu'Alanis avait ingurgitées pendant ses trois jours de coma. Une fois le disque lu et écouté, Morrissette tombe des nues : le résultat est une catastrophe. Pas une seule ligne de sa thèse ne venait de s'avérer. Elle tentera tout de même de la soutenir mais sera bien évidemment recalée et radiée de l'université.
Captures a zeitgeist I guess but do I like it? Who cares? I've heard it a thousand times and I'll most likely hear it a thousand times more.
Some great tracks, although it does get a little samey. *It's like raaaaiin on youuuur weeddding daaay*
I hate the production on this album and when you really listen to the lyrics of any of these songs, they're just so... overthought? Or underthought? Both? I don't know. Ironic still makes me angry in a language snob way. Every song just sounds like it's a list, like they listed what the song should be about and then they decided the list was the song. And yet. AND YET. There are melodies here that are bulletproof. 'Head Over Feet' (god that dumb title), 'Hand in My Pocket', 'You Learn', and goddam 'Ironic' - the melodies are great. It's also the album of choice of a couple of 90s ex-girlfriends and, look, I like my ex-girlfriends, so I don't know what you want from me. This gets 3 stars.
It's been a long time since I last listened to this one. Good album and very much of its time. Enjoyable listen.
Dripping in 90s cheese, when it hits is very good, but when it misses its downright awful. It hits more than misses but I cannot shake the feeling that computers are working overtime to give it that sound. It's a 3
Feels cheesy now, but honestly a great grungy pop 90's albums! Even the non-hits are great. Fun listen.
It's very decent pop/rock album and Alanis sure can sing. But it never rises above that sublime single "You Oughta Know" with its Chili Pepper basslines and guitar. The rest of the album never gets bad anywhere, but it's all very radio-friendly produced pop music. I would've loved for this album to just be that bit more Flea and Navarro and a little less Glen Ballard. It's an album I wouldn't turn off when it's playing, but also not one I'd put on myself
An interesting mix of singer-songwriter downtempo ballads and high-energy rock tracks. Alanis' domineering vocals and unique songwriting means the latter land in unforgettably catchy territory, though that's balanced out by the more generic, ho-hum ballads. Tried my best to give this one a fair shake, nearly 1/2 of the album was already engraved in my mind from listening to the radio in the car as a kid.
It's fine. My main problem getting through the album was just that all the songs sound so similar. In terms of the song topics, Alanis is just so bitter (except for like Head Over Feet), but the rest is just pure angst from her. WHO HURT YOU, ALANIS?! Yeah, it's fine. 5/10
This album is pretty typical of the era, an enjoyable enough pop rock album. If you've only ever heard a few of Alani Morissette's songs they're likely represented here, with You Oughta Know, Hand in My Pocket and Ironic. All in all, a good album!
When this album first game out, I liked it enough. Then I hated it because it seemed like every song on the radio was Alanis. I think there were like 7 singles off this album? But I’m glad I got a chance to listen to it again and surprised at how well it holds up. Sure, her voice rakes on you after a while, but her sound is unique and her lyrics are oddly hopeful and inspiring. She’s both timid and angry and shy and won’t take any shit - it’s cool. Plus - honestly - how many legit female rockers came out of the 90s? Not many.
An interesting middle ground between alt and pop rock with an undeniable bitterness surging through it's songwriting. Alanis Morissette's votes will grate but I can look past it for the better songs.
Second Canadian singer in 2 days which is nice, and this was an album that was everywhere when it came out. Listening to it now, not sure if it's familiarity but from my viewpoint it still holds up really well. Not my go to for listening but massively influential and I get why it's on the list.
23rd May 2022 Listened at home. Had Seb and Justo round for dinner and signing house documents. Classic 90s fare, can spot Alanis a mile off.
Constant play of the singles on alternative tending radio and the videos on TV in its day. Another where I doubt I ever listened to the actual album. I scorned this pretty heavily when it was new - a lot of the lyrics simultaneously ostentatious yet kind of incoherent, all the examples of things that were not actually ironic... I'm more forgiving of it now. Morissette's youth at the time factors into my modern assessment, as does a basic recognition that releasing a slew of banger hits is no small feat, whether the genre and content are quite to my taste or not.
Saw her live at the time and she was a bad ass performer. Now somehow most of the album irritates me, a pity. Nevertheless some really good songs still.
I really liked this back in the day, but it sounds dated in places and lacks consistency
'You oughta know' is the standout. Lots of other very decent songs, but some bad ones drops it out of 4 star country.
This completely transported me back to when I discovered MTV in a late elementary school summer on my 13" TV. If all the tracks were as good as "You Oughta Know", "Hand in My Pocket", and "Ironic" I'd say this would be a 4-5 in terms of what she was going for. I do like her vocal cadence, kind of reminds me of Bjork sometimes. Unfortunately almost all the other tracks fall flat for me, which as an album doesn't do it for me. Shame.
Absolutely ubiquitous in the 90s. So ubiquitous that I have a hard time judging it. It's like judging bottled water. It does make me feel nostalgic though, and it really captures the mainstream zeitgeist of its time very well. The fact that she was 21 when she made this amazes me. She is definitely getting some real shit off her chest and her vocal style is intense - like a human bagpipe. I'm gonna say I absolutely respect this, but ultimately, I never felt compelled to go out and buy this back in the day, and despite a fun nostalgia detour, it doesn't grab me on a deeper level than that.
This is one of those names i hear in Media and recognize then realize I've never actually listened to. Serious angsty 90's vibes, elementary school me thinking i was so cool, would've fit really into the whole "Boulevard of Broken Dreams Vibe" Ironic, iconic but most importantly memeable. This low key just brings a flood of memes to my mind. Quite the flip from what the last generation thought of this song.
Full disclosure: I hated this album when it came out. The songs were freaking everywhere and I couldn't stand it. Nearly 30 years on, and I can see I can see why these songs resonated so deeply with a lot of women my age. It's a really strong album that's dark and incisive, but also with a legitimate pop sensibility. That's a hard balance to maintain, and Alanis Morissette has a knack for it. Fave Songs: Head over Feet, You Learn, Hand in My Pocket, Wake Up, You Oughta Know, Ironic
No se puede más noventero: el tipo de letras, el tipo de efectos en la guitarra, la forma de cantar, hasta el nombre del disco y la tipografía. No acuso a Alanis de cliché, porque de hecho este disco es parte de lo que sentó las bases para esos clichés, y entonces tiene much mérito. Obviamente los sencillos destacan, pero en general es un disco entretenido que en un rato de nostalgia (que en mi caso prácticamente no existiría porque nunca la oí en su época original) puede ser agradable para oír de nuevo.
Real good stuff here. Alanis knows how to write a great song, doing so multiple times on Jagged.
I remember Alanis being a more proficient singer. This and being quite shouty, which was the accurate part.
Do I like '90s alt-rock? Yes. Do I like Alanis Morissette's voice? Honestly, not really. Do I like the concept of Alanis Morissette singing in that voice about how much her exes are missing out on her? Again, that's probably a no. As far as mid-'90s not-quite-grunge goes, there are quite a few other options available that do it better, although I'd be lying if I said that this album doesn't have its moments. Best song: Right Through You was pretty decent, and All I Really Want would have been great as an instrumental.
Unique vocals over pop-py tracks. I enjoyed the poetry but her voice is annoying YEEAAAAYEEAAAA BAAABAAYYYYY
90’s. I don’t dislike Alanis, but I have never considered any of her songs to be “ear worms”
A few good songs, but rest of the album drags a little. Can see why it’s on the list but wouldn’t listen to the full album again.
I had heard a few of the songs from this album back when it was popular, but I'd never listened to the whole album. Overall, it's...okay. I don't actively dislike it but don't love it, either. I surprised myself by liking "Hand In My Pocket" after all these years. Maybe it's a bit of nostalgia for those years and the general sentiment of that song -- I remember liking it when it was released because irony and cyncism had permeated, well, pretty much everything by the mid-90s, and it was refreshing to hear something with some semblance of hope in it. I get that to some (many? I really have no idea; can hardly fathom my own loose grasp on existence, what the hell do I know of others' experience) listeners that song might be hokey or corny or whatever, but I dig it. She has a great voice, which can come through at times but it can be a bit much, too. And, hey, she played God in Kevin Smith's 1999 comedy "Dogma," so there's that, too.
Tellement typique 90s comme son. La musique est pas pire, mais la voix d'Alanis reste trop un bloquant.
Anybody who grew up in the 90's remembers hearing the hit singles on the radio. This album is loaded with 'em. It's catchy and nostalgic for sure, but it's not something I would keep in rotation. Her voice borders on irritating most of the time. The deeper cuts aren't that bad, just not interesting enough to pique my interest.
Well, I never really cared much for her voice. But this album sure does make me feel nostalgic.
Songs in itself are fine, but her voice is kind of weird and it only works for a small number of songs
i actually didn’t like this.. i know it’s very impressive that she released such a famous album at such a young age but i just didn’t really see it. the first song kind of set the scene and i actively disliked it. the rest of the album was just eh.. i was familiar with a few but it just didn’t do it at all for me.
Familiar with a couple of tracks so expecting more of the same. Unfortunately this wasn't delivered. Somewhat ranting in places which diminished the lyrics.
I don't think 90s music is my thing. So many people say the 90s were the best decade for music, but I'm really not seeing it. Maybe the 4th best decade. A lot of it sounds like music you're supposed to listen to with your head out the window of a car, feeling your youthful angst being washed away.
I had a vague memory this was supposed to be good, but I didn't like the album recording at all. To jog my memory I watched bits of her live performance at Woodstock '99 on youtube and that sounded so much better. Since we are reviewing the album and not any live versions, I can only give this 2 stars.
Hated this album when it came out. Gave it a genuine listen and I still don’t like it and I don’t get why it became such a big deal. I can see how stitched together it could work as a broadway show soundtrack. That’s as positive a comment as I can make.
As much as this may be a quintessential 90s pop album I don’t find it too exciting. Morrisette’s voice isn’t the most pleasing to hear for an hour. The songwriting on some of the songs is relatively dull. Her ironic song is comically named wrongly but it is somewhat catchy. You oughta know isn’t too bad either but the rest of the album feels a bit dated already. 3.9/10
Ohhoh kun on ajan hammas puraissut aika saamarin lujaa! Tosi moni näistä biiseistä on sellasii jotka on saanut aivan järkyttävän määrän toistoja radiossa ja leffoissa joten ne on syöpynyt aivoihin aika pahasti. Ihan hyvä tällännen ysärin rakkaus-voimaantumislevyhän tää varmaan on mut liika on liikaa. 2/5
Been a while since I heard this. Voice is still nasal and shrill. The singles are pretty catchy though.
I'm gonna copy and paste an excerpt of the wikipedia article, which perfectly encapsulates what I'm thinking about this one: "Other critics were less favorable. David Browne of Entertainment Weekly was intrigued by "You Oughta Know" but found the rest of Jagged Little Pill "much harder to swallow", continuing, "What sounds arresting on a single grows wearing over a full album. Producer-co-songwriter Glen Ballard's arrangements are clunky mixtures of alternative mood music and hammy arena rock, and the 21-year-old Morissette tends to wildly oversing every other line." Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune wrote that Morissette "strives for catharsis but often merely sounds histrionic". When listing the album at 45 on the "100 Best Albums of the Nineties", Rolling Stone commented: "Jagged Little Pill is like a Nineties version of Carole King's Tapestry: a woman using her plain soft-rock voice to sift through the emotional wreckage of her youth, with enough heart and songcraft to make countless listeners feel the earth move"." In other words, nice topical lyrics but generally awful music. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 859 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory: 77 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 35 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 30 (including this one)
The lyrics are just so cheesy and predictable, not to mention that the voice singing them is irritating. The random vocal flairs that are added to songs are annoying. The background music isn't that bad but could use some better instrument choice. Overall this album was grating and predictable.
worst album i’ve ever heard I would rather get a blowjob from a piranha than listen to this again the whole thing it just some canadian hoe bitching about her ex boyfriend while making donkey moans and terrible harmonica solos
Granie i spiewanie z kanady, ktora jak do tej pory zbyt duzej reprezentacji nie miala na liscie, ale jak miala to raczej hitowe, tym razem jak dla mnie jest to calkowity miss, tak okrutnego zawodzenia dawno nie slyszalem, jak na tym co oferuje Jagged Little Pill, ktory jest trzecim albumem w dyskografii pani Alanis Morissette, na tej prawie godzinnej torturze mozna odchaczac czekliste jak stworzyc radiowe brzmienie w muzyce rokowej, chociaz lepiej okreslic to jako pop rock, blendowanie roznych styli od elektronicznego brzmienia po akustyka przy wykorzystaniu poteznej ilosci sesyjnych grajkow, czek, liryka ktora kreci sie wokol biednej mlodej baby, jakom oczywiscie jest artystka osadzona w tak okrutnym swiecie, czek, ekspresja liryczna zeby jeszcze bardziej podkreslic dramaty z jakimi musi sie ona zmagac tworzac muzyczny kontent, czek, ponad 10 ludzi siedzacych nad produkcja, bo im wiecej glow przy projekcie tym bardziej mialkie i podobajace sie kazdemu brzmienie mozna wycisnac z danego traka, czek, wiec nie dziwne ze w latach 90 byl to dobrze sprzedany krazek, bo ona to wszystko robi, robi to tak dobrze, ze po tej godzinnej torturze nie jestem w stanie nic dodac na plejke, bo takie plyty trzeba przezyc tylko raz w zyciu, zeby uzmyslowic sobie dlaczego muzyka popularna jest popularna
I didn't really like this album when it came out and some how it has gotten worse and even more irritating.
En varsinaisesti välitä tästä levystä. Ois muuten ehkä 2/5, mutta Ironicissa yksikään asia ei itse asiassa ole *ironista* vaan enemmän huonoa onnea. Tästä vitutuksesta vähennän yhden tähden eli Phil Spectorin joululevyn kanssa samaan koriin.
something for the background