Alanis Morissette - Under Rug Swept [D1 Music]

One of the things I like best about Alanis is how her music grows and matures along with her. Under Rug Swept is far from the angst-ridden jams from Jagged Little Pill, but the songs are undeniably deep and thoughtful as ever. A most obvious example is the story of “You Oughta Know,” fulfilled by “Hands Clean.” Alanis has an excellent way of carrying her listeners through her own life lessons, and never ceases to dive deeper into the many facets of truth she sings of.

Her lyrics are top quality, and there are several songs that I’ll be singing as personal anthems for a long time, including “You Owe Me Nothing.” The depth of understanding about love, forgiveness, and life is unsurpassed. Alanis seems to have the monopoly on self-love and self-respect in this album, along with extroverted insight into the kindness towards others.

But Alanis also provides an admirable source of strength in a day where feminism can carry a bad connotation. “21 Things I Want In A Lover” opens the album summarily demanding the best out of society, from a woman who knows what she wants and what she deserves. This album by far is one of her most inspirational, and carries a more mature, controlled, and satisfied message than some of her previous work. Alanis has always had an excellent way of presenting truth, and in Under Rug Swept, she succeeds in that again, and goes even farther by containing the overall feeling of hope and self-respect throughout the album. I would go as far as saying the album is therapeutic, and I would highly recommend it as a positive influence to self-esteem.

Over all, I give this CD a rating of 4.5 stars.

Suggested Listening:

"You Owe Me Nothing"
"21 Things I Want In a Lover"
"So Unsexy"