Alanis Morissette - Well Worth a Listen

Here is a pleasant surprise now. Something educational, interesting, and actually worth reading on the Fintryblog! That is at least, my intention.
This is the first entry in something I still need a clever name for. I take an in depth look into the music in my, not vast, but sizable iTunes library.

Part One - Alanis Morissette.

Ok if you think you don’t like her then just bare with me here, i’ll do my best.

Out of the almost three thousand songs in my library, Alanis Morissette occupies a very large chunk. My Dad was a huge fan of her music from the beginning and bought her first to albums on CD, Jagged Little Pill and Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. My Mum is more of a Jazz music fan, but she’s very open minded when it comes to music - perhaps thats where i get that from - and she also fell in love with Morissette. Jagged Little Pill. That was the CD that was always playing softly when guests were over. It blared from the studio when Dad was busy working.

Ill first introduce you to one of my favourite songs. Ironic. This is the original version of the song. The acoustic version which comes from the re-released acoustic cover of her album Jagged Little Pill in my opinion sounds better due to the softer more organic sounds.

Alanis Morissette - Ironic.mp3 (right click, open in new window to listen, or right click and save target as to download)

This track showcases her impeccable vocal talent. She floats from note to note effortlessly. This perfectly tuned voice leaves you free to concentrate on the lyrics and melodies in the songs. Lucky then, that these are also beautifully written and performed.
“It’s like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife,
its meeting the man of my dreams, and meeting his beautiful husband.”
Her lyrics are quite simply, awesome! This is a definitely a song to make you smile.

But how about a song to make you cry? Well the track from her other early album “Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie” called “That I would be good” is a real tear jerker. A very simple song with deeply moving lyrics. With all lines beginning with “that i would be good…” it is an interesting approach to song writing. Her voice really cries out in this song with an almost wild, animal-like sound in parts. You really have to listen to it properly to appreciate it. Well to help you in that respect here is a handy dandy download link for you…

Alanis Morissette - That I Would Be Good (right click, open in new window to listen or download)

Another angle to look at her music is her more uplifting and energetic songs. The example ive picked here has more electronic roots and sample drumbeats with a house style bassline. A really intense mix of sounds that gets ur heart racing and just demands to be played at high volume with the bass up! The song is called “So Pure” and is taken from the album “Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie”

[LINK COMING SOON]


Ok, time for one last approach to this singer. If you still dont like her then this is probably the last chance I have to convince you. “All I Really Want”, from “Jagged Little Pill” displays the more intense agreesive Alanis that debuted in the 90s with her powerful and gritty collection of songs. This is the title track from that album and for me, really sums up what this artist is all about. Enjoy.

Alanis Morissette - All I Really Want(right click, open in new window to listen or download)

Liked some of what you heard? Heres what to do.
If you were a fan of Ironic, then i highly recommend more from her MTV Unplugged Album. Especially tracks such as “Head Over Feet” and “No Pressure Over Cappuccino”. If the slow, emotional tones of “That I Would Be Good” are more your thing then “Utopia” from the album “Under Rug Swept” is certainly worth a listen, along with “Mary Jane” and “That Particular Time” from “Jagged Little Pill” and “Under Rug Swept” respectively. More of the upbeat dancey sounds can be found in the songs “Front Row” and “21 Things I Want In A Lover” while her agressive side really shines through in “You Oughta Know” and “8 Easy Steps”. Happy Listening.

Alanis Morissette was born in June, 1974. Her music has won her 7 Grammy Awards. Her music took America and Europe by storm in the 90’s when her debut album shot up in the charts. Even today it remains the number one top selling debut album for a female artist, still outselling all others.