Alanis Morissette - So Called Chaos: Get Her While She's Hot

From the Jagged Little Pill to the Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, it was all Under Rug Swept as we enter within her So Called Chaos.

Back in 1995, Morissette bursted onto the international scene with her best selling album Jagged Little Pill. Almost a decade later, a more mature Morissette returns to the scene after decreasing record sales of her last four efforts. So Called Chaos shows a new side to Morrissette that we've never seen before.

Choosing alternative rock guitars as opposed to the harmonica, and a more happy tune to sing rather than the angst-filled hatred towards males, So Called Chaos is truly a unique offering for anxious fans. Her life has changed, and more happiness shines through this record as opposed to her previous works.

The record begins with the line "Let's get it while it's hot", the opening lyric to the record's second North American single, "Eight Easy Steps", which explains the many areas of expertise Morissette has acquired over her years of experiences in relationships. After the alternative rock sound of "Eight Easy Steps", the album flows into the more mid-tempo track, "Out is Through", the album's second European single.

The lyrics to this track are probably what hurt it the most; layering in many cliches and repitition of the line "quick fix" twice, this song isn't one that particularly stands out, especially on a rock record. After a pop-fix, we flow into the melodic intro to "Excuses". The lyrics to "Excuses" are simple, but with a grunge feel and a killer chorus, it's a definitely a gem on this record.

"Doth I Protest Too Much" is the epitomy of an Alanis Morissette song. With brilliant lyrics including I'm not threatened by every pair of legs you watch go by, I don't cringe when you stare at women it's just a thing called guy, and the use of old English, this song is truly unique.

The sitar is what stands out in the next track, "Knees of My Bees". Mixing an East Indian instrument with power guitars and drums, it's one of the few things mainstream artists are willing to do, but Morrissette is able to pull it off with style. As you may assume, if you hear a song entitled "Knees of My Bees", you immediately think of a very immature and pop-like track. However, you get the exact opposite. With brilliant lyrics written as a tribute to her beau, Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds, and the mesh of the sitar, this song is truly a stand out track on the album.

"So Called Chaos", is not something you would expect from an album's title track. Although the lyrics are stellar, production lacked, and the tempo is not complemented by the melody or lyrics at all, but is still a great track.

"Not All Me" is one of the records few "filler" tracks. With 80's sounding synthesizers opening the track, and bland lyrics, this song is easily skipped when I spin this album.

As with all albums, there has got to be a slow-tempo ballad in there somewhere. In the case of So Called Chaos, the track is titled "This Grudge", and the lyrics show true growth in Morissette, and how she has finally been able to put down all baggage she carried regarding to the subject of the highly acclaimed 1995 single, "You Oughta Know". After a slow-tempo ballad, it's great to hear something powerful again.

In the near closing of the album, Morissette surprises you all with quite possibly the best track on the album, "Spineless". With power guitars, great melody, and lyrics explaining how she would act as a slave to her future mate, this song stands above them all.

As the album is coming to a close, Morissette shares what she feels is her best track, "Everything", the album's first single, although I beg to differ. At first listen, this song could be catchy to the average ear, but after a few spins, it's easy to hear that this song gets very boring and bland. Very poor first single.

Just slightly squeaking in at over 40 minutes, So Called Chaos is easily Morissette's best album as a whole. Although there were parts of this album that were lacking, it was well put together. Maybe a few extra tracks, and this album would have been much better. With the disappointing tracks "Not All Me" and "Everything", and the slighly disappointing "Out is Through", this album receives a 8.5/10.