Alanis Morissette - 'Flavours Of Entanglement' (Warners) Released 02/06/08

There is nothing like a public break up, followed by your ex-fiancé announcing his engagement to his new partner all in the space of a year, to provide enough energy, pain and passion to write an album full of tales of sadness and loneliness, mixed with a hint of "I will Survive" attitude. This is exactly what Canadian born Alanis Morissette has achieved, as she makes a return with her seventh studio album 'Flavours of Entanglement', and first release in 4 years.

Produced by Guy Sigsworth, the London based electronica producer and co-band member of Frou Frou, who has worked with the likes of Madonna and Bjork. This unique collaborations has many similarities to the collaboration between William Orbit and Madonna, where Orbit delivered a new perspective of Madonna. This time its Sigsworth to show a different side to Alanis. The album features eleven eclectic tracks which sees various musical styles being used along with stripped back ballads.
 
Opening track ‘Citizen of The Planet’ is very much a narrative of her life story which is set against a backdrop pf Eastern percussion, strings and electronica. The lyrics twist and turn perfectly around a captivating melody, which draws you in as the vocal drops to a low deep tone that Alanis is well known for, and bursting to life in the chorus. ‘Underneath’ was the first single lifted from the album, which reflects Mahatma Gandhi’s notion that “..you must be the change you want to see in the world.“ The track has simple lyrics with great vocals that grab your attention as she sings “There is no difference/In what we're doing in here/That doesn't show up as big as it does out there…”. Straitjacket’ shows off Sigsworth input to the album, taking Alanis away from her usual big ballads and catchy pop/rock tunes and showing similarities to Madonna’s American Life album. The track is an anthem for all the broken hearted women of the world. “…I don’t know who you’re talking to with such fucking disrespect/ This shit’s making me crazy/The way you nullify what’s in my head/ You say one thing do another/And argue that’s not what you did…”

‘Straitjacket’ is an album highlight, showing a side to Alanis not yet seen before which will draw new fans to the album. In contrast emotive tracks such as ’Not as We’ and ’Torch’ about her pain at the lose of her lover is very apparent and appropriate. The tracks both set to piano, shows the lovely tones and range that Alanis has in her vocal. The lyrics are deeply personal, a lament for lost love. “..These are things that I miss/These are not times for the weak of heart/These are the days of raw despondence/I never dreamed I would have to lay down my torch for you like this”
 
Guy Sigsworth’s production and arrangements are unique and beautifully compelling, allowing 'Flavours of Entanglement' to be a highlight in Alanis Morissette’s career. Alanis has always be renowned as a talented singer songwriter, but the emotion and heart felt lyrics on the album are some of her best. This meeting of minds shows an uplifting, fresh and honest album.