Alanis Morissette

MTV Unplugged

The reviews here are so disappointing!

Review Score:

(10/10)
Never having read a review of Alanis' "Unplugged" album, I simply figured that everyone would have the same views as me. Well although that was terribly naive of me, I must say I am still surprised at the lacklustre views people have on this album!

For me, "Jagged Little Pill" was an *INCREDIBLE* album. It reached me in ways which I couldn't understand. I bought it as a 10-year-old Australian boy, not having any understanding of what the lyrics really meant, what feelings and thoughts went into this album. Now that I'm older (and hopefully a little wiser), I can view this album in a new light. It still remains one of my favourite albums to date, which is odd because I'm usually more of a mainstream pop fan myself. Anyway ... I digress. When "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" came out, I was so excited. Finally, the long-awaited 2nd international Alanis album. But I must say, upon listening to it, I was horribly disappointed. I wasn't expecting a "JLP" Part II, but I did hope the same incredible vibe would be carried over onto her sophomore record. No such luck, sadly. Although there are some great tracks on that album, the majority of it suffers from the dreaded "filler" disease ... something I never thought would happen to Alanis.

So imagine my surprise when I pick up "Unplugged". This honestly breathed new life into the "SFIJ" songs for me. Alanis truly shines in an acoustic setting ... often the intense synthesisers and unnecessary instruments which she uses in the studios cloud her too much, making her seem like part of a production, not a singer. On "Unplugged", she sounds simply divine. "Joining You", whilst being a *good* track on "SFIJ", is an *AMAZING* song on "Unplugged". Alanis sings with such sincerity and emotion ... it's overwhelming. Her slightly different take on "Ironic" is great, whilst the new songs are some of her best. "No Pressure Over Cappucino" is one of my all-time favourite songs, evoking the *perfect* memory of that great cup of coffee with a friend out at a cafe somewhere, whilst "Princes Familiar" is Vintage Alanis.

Do not be swayed by the other reviews on this page. This album is wonderful. Putting it on, it's like you're visited by a long-lost friend and you have a wonderful Friday afternoon conversation. A severely underrated masterpiece.

More Reviews: