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
I didn't grow up in the 90s but this is what I imagine it sounded like.
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.
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
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!
Like an angry version of Friends. Anthemic, feminist themed. Vocals start to jar after a while but some interesting lyrics in parts.
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
Catchy, annoying, bad and good. A snapshot of the 90’s worth a listen but I still have trouble liking this
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
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.
+ Hand in My Pocket + You Oughta Know + You Learn + Head Over Feet + Ironic
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.
Really great album all around. Strong and well known albums all throughout. 10/10.
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.
maybe 4.5 but instantly re-listened , mix of rocky, angry and poppy tunes. loved it.
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?
Didn't even have to listen to know this is a 5 for me (but I listened anyway.)
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
Amazing album. Her vocals are incredible on this and the emotions are palpable.
I loved this album in high school and still have the CD. Love it even more now.
Totally surprised that I enjoyed all the songs I wasn't familiar with!
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.
One of the formative albums of my youth. Forgive me for my biased opinion.
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
Lots of hits here - way more than I thought. This album holds up well. Her voice is so unique and communicates so much emotion. The band is just classic 90's. You Oughta Know still hits like a sledgehammer.