Alanis Morissette: Worst to Best

I discovered Alanis Morissette's music at a crucial time in my life: High school. Much of her discography acted as a soundtrack to my junior and senior years, and with the upcoming release of her new album Such Pretty Forks in the Road, I can't help but listen back to her catalogue with a more critical and curious ear. After all, it is impossible to call yourself a true fan of an artist if you're not willing to discuss and scrutinize their work, especially with someone like Alanis, who has had such a dynamic and twisting career path. With that being said, here is my ranking of Alanis Morissette's studio albums:

7. Havoc and Bright Lights (2012)

I hate to put her most recent album so low on the list, but it really is her weakest release for me. HABL could have been a good album, if it was produced correctly. This album sounds compressed and at times very garish. Songs like Woman Down and Celebrity come off very topical and almost like sloganeering on repeated listens, which is a shame. With 4 years in between this album and the one prior, HABL somehow still sounds rushed, disorganized and thin. 

My favorite tracks: Empathy, Win and Win, Edge of Evolution 

6. So-Called Chaos (2004)

Many Alanis fans really love this album, and I can see why, but it's not one that I find myself coming back to very often. Produced by John Shanks and Tim Thorney, SCC has a sound that is upbeat and very much of its time. Although one of her most mainstream releases, her unique style of songwriting is still very much present on tracks like Eight Easy Steps, Doth I Protest Too Much and Spineless. The lead single was Everything, which unfortunately is probably my least favorite track on here. 

5. Jagged Little Pill Acoustic 

To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the earth-moving Jagged Little Pill, instead of writing new songs, Morissette decided to reimagine the JLP album acoustically. Her renditions of her own songs here are somehow less emotive and fresh-sounding than on the original album. For such a stripped-back album, her voice is obviously heavily edited as well. JLP Acoustic is an interesting listen for dedicated fans but lacks any real staying power for me. 

My favorite tracks: You Oughta Know, Wake Up, All I Really Want

4. Flavors of Entanglement (2008)

Alanis has a way of blending completely synthetic sounds with organic music, and Flavors is one project where that really pays off. Flavors is intense, haunting and stays with you, and showcases some of her most frank lyrics of all time (I don't know who you're talking to with such fucking disrespect, on "Straitjacket"). 

My favorite tracks: Citizen of the Planet, Moratorium, Incomplete 

3. Under Rug Swept (2002) [& Feast On Scraps]

I will be ranking both of these albums in the same tier because I think Feast On Scraps is a very solid listen in the company of Under Rug. These albums showed that Alanis could make music without Glen Ballard and could be a multi-instrumentalist. Under Rug is arguably her most intimate album. Morissette's idiosyncratic vocal style is given more than enough room to shine, too.

My favorite tracks: Precious Illusions, Narcissus, Flinch, Fear of Bliss, Sister Blister, Bent For You

2. Jagged Little Pill (1995)

Do I really have to explain this one? JLP truly was game-changing, and permanently cemented Morissette as one of the greatest singer/songwriters of her time, and she deserved every bit of it. 

My favorite tracks: You Oughta Know, Forgiven, Hand In My Pocket 

1. Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998)

It's safe to say that Supposed wasn't so much as a step forward from JLP rather than a huge leap. For me, this album takes everything great from her previous album and refines it into a twisted, idiosyncratic, playful collection of songs. The hip-hop and middle eastern fusions across the album serve to set it apart from its predecessor and really compliment Morissette's brooding and unconventional vocals. This is not more accessible than JLP, but it is immensely more gratifying when given the chance. 
My favorite tracks: Front Row, U R, Would Not Come

That's a wrap! I hope you enjoyed this list. I'd love to know what you think. 

I post very irregularly so make sure to sign up for email notifications for each new post! (Located on right hand side of screen)