HAVOC AND BRIGHT LIGHTS
Alanis Morissette will probably not earn many new converts with Havoc and Bright Lights, but she will keep her devoted fan base pleased with this smart, sturdy collection of tunes.
In the four years since 2008's Flavors of Entanglement, which set a high water mark in Morissette's catalogue, the artist has experienced marriage and motherhood, resulting in a decidedly less anxious set of tunes.
Her new perspective is at times deceptively unengaging and soft at the core, revealing lyrical and melodic treasures upon repeated play. Morissette invokes themes of interconnectedness and universality, rewarding listeners with poetic ears.
She still rocks hard when she wants to, blistering with righteous anti-misogyny, proving Morissette can still make men cower if the spirit so moves her.
The production proves to be a flaw of the record that seems to make Morissette's voice border on bland, burying it down in the mix and giving the songs an unwelcome slickness and sheen.
Those looking for a retread of Jagged Little Pill will not find it here, but long time fans probably won't be disappointed.
GUARDIAN
WOMAN DOWN
Hey! A Morissette shout-out! I like it! How are you doing, my friend? I like her a lot, but don't always love everything. And whenever someone pisses her off, I always cower in fear as to what this might do for her writing. *laughs* I bought this album the first day it came out. You remind me that I haven't listened to it that much. I'll have to throw it on again soon. Perhaps this week while on the treadmill.
ReplyDeleteTake it easy! And keep rockin!
-Jimmy
Jimmy-
ReplyDeleteKeep rocking yourself!
Thanks for stopping by!
Larry
I just listened to those two tracks. They reminded me how much I like her voice.
ReplyDeleteI just listened to those two tracks. They reminded me how much I like her voice.
ReplyDeleteJenny-
ReplyDeleteFor some reason your comment is showing twice...one for each track I guess!
You know, music can be used as a teaching tool.
My thirty-five year Todd Rundgren fandom began in 1977 when a high school english teacher, Tom Williams, played the class an eighteen minute song, Singring And The Glass Guitar, as an example of a short story.
I'm just sayin'
Larry