Search - Alanis Morissette :: So Called Chaos

Short but Cohesive : Alanis' Most Underrated Work

Cabir Davis | 09/18/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

""So Called Chaos" may never reach the cult status of "Jagged Little Pill" or even "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie", but I've always believed this album contains the best set of tunes Alanis has ever released. The only problem is the production, or rather the 'over' production that takes away from the melodies a little. However, this is very much a repeat-play album and it will take you a good six to seven full spins to truly appreciate.



Eastern-tinged tracks such as "Knees of my Bees" sit very comfortably next to an exalted classic like "Excuses" (seriously, what a song!). And while the album does tend to sag toward the end, the music is always quite solid. The lead track, "So Called Chaos" is actually the weakest link here, but on singles "Out is Through" and "Everything", Alanis shows us that she can do wonders with the simplest of melodies.



And its that simplicity that probably went against the album. This is one of Alanis' worst-selling records, and theres a reason - almost every song is in the same key, leading you to conclude that 'every song sounds the same', when you listen to it the first time (almost every listener has that complaint about this album). While that may be true, remember that this is very much an album that you need to invest in.



The bonus CD content is great. It contains her Sessions at AOL, with a live performance of "Excuses" - sung in the upper register - and Alanis looks really good with that short hair (the performances are from 2004). Also present on the CD is an EPK - a fifteen minute making of "So Called Chaos" that pretty much chronicles where Alanis is in her life - quite eye-opening, actually. There is also an acoustic MP4 Version of "This Grudge", which wasn't that great, but hey, Alanis is at least being a sport by bundling all this exclusive content on the physical CD.



"So Called Chaos" is my favorite Alanis album after "SFIJ", and its a pity that this isn't much appreciated even with serious Alanis fans. Get it and listen to it with an open mind - its a happy record, a tad overproduced, but still essential to your pop-rock collection.



Four Stars."

Dark sounding, decent mixes/effects on the songs

K. S. Pang | Illinois, HK | 10/05/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you are already a fan of Alanis' fan, you won't be disappointed. There are a few dark sounding songs with decent mixes and effects. It has got some of the Infatuation junkie feel to the album. In my opinion, it's a satisfying release.



Notable songs i enjoy are: So-called chaos, not all me, spinless and eight easy steps.



1 star was deducted for the number of songs on this album. A few more please next time :D"