 | |
List Price: $21.98 | | Label: Warner Brothers
Salesrank: 15536
Released: June 10, 2008 |
| Our Price: $12.12 |
| Used Price: $10.00 |
|
| Media: Audio CD |
|
Editorial Review:
Deluxe edition two CD set.
Description of Flavors Of Entanglement:
Though the mainstream might have all but abandoned Alanis Morrissette since her mid-90s breakthrough as the MTV grunge generation’s Madonna, she has forged on with a handful of albums of a reasonably steely consistency, although even kindly ears would recognize her output since Jagged Little Pill as reduced strength versions of that celebrated album. Its slightly convoluted follow up, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, remains her most intriguing if long-winded work, and with her most recent record (2004’s So Called Chaos) more or less finding peace with itself--filing down the angsty internal dialogues and sounding almost content even at its loudest points--the future seemed to be heading on a downward spiral. But talk about an about turn. With Flavours Of Entanglement the bronco is very much bucking once more, often causing whiplash-inducing stylistic swerves. "Citizen Of The Planet" opens the album, erupting out of eastern strings and a sequenced underlay with blunt, compressed guitars and thumping beats, sweeping through desolate plains previously inhabited by nu metal fantasists Evanescence. The dark tension is upheld through the robotic techno of "Straightjacket" and dark string-laden drum ‘n’ bass of "Moratorium." Landing amid the lonely Tori Amos balladry of "Not As We," Texas-pop of "In Praise Of The Vulnerable Man," and the more typical Alanis fare of "Underneath," this is an often unsettlingly mixed bag achieving varying levels of success, but it is also probably her most emotionally satisfying work for a decade. -- James Berry
Flavors Of Entanglement Reviews:
Side of Flavors 
2009-04-15 - Definetly get the deluxe version. The main course has its moments ("Moratorium", "Incomplete", "Versions of Violence")and provesto be satisfying but the real meat in this collections are all on the B-sides ("Orchid" "Guy who leaves" "Madness" "Limbo no more")
Strong and Occasionally Strident
2009-03-13 - Alanis definitely continues with her trend of Adult Alternative. I'd prefer not to "enjoy" profanity in my music, but not only is she profane, she's profound and there's so much musically and lyrically going on here that I have a hard time downgrading it. There's a strong Indian influence here on a few tracks. Ms. Morisette's sound never gets trampled by this influence but it makes a clear impression. One track seemingly blends digital audio effects popularized by the Matrix, and an Indian hip-hop beat... This album is infectious, powerful, thoughtful, raucous, light-hearted, and lambasting. It's a wild ride, and one of the best albums I've heard in a long time.
A nice collection of songs, plus one of the best songs I've ever heard 
2009-02-23 - Flavors of Entanglement is an enjoyable CD. There are certainly high and low points, as with any Alanis CD - I love "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" and think it is her best, but even that disc had some pretty weak songs - but overall, pretty solid.
"Torch", however...well. Much more than solid. One of the best songs I have ever heard. I've heard that it's about the "death" of her relationship with Ryan Reynolds, but it can be interpreted in several different ways, and any way you want to take it, it's amazing. Without "Torch", I'd probably give this CD 3 stars...that song alone is worth an extra star. Just incredible. The piano, the plaintiveness of the verses, the raw emotion and power of the chorus...look, you need to listen to it. Right now. Seriously. Stop reading this review and go listen to "Torch".
One of the Best Albums of 2008
2009-02-01 - When i first heard Alanis Morissette, it was in 1995 when "You Oughta Know" played on the radio. My first reaction to Morissette and "You Oughta Know" was not positive - it was "what is this, why is this woman so angry, and what is this chip on her shoulder?" Most of the "bubble gum" and synth-pop of the 1980s was beginning to fade, yet Morissette's anger just seemed too raw for me to absorb at the time. However as the subsequent singles from Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill" album were released, I soon began to see more than an angry young woman. When I listened to "Jagged Little Pill" in its entirety, I realized that this album lived up to all of the hype. Not only did this album garner critical acclaim, but it was one of the best selling albums of all-time. Following that release, Morissette's subsequent albums would not nearly be as commercially successful, yet the high level of quality was still there. On those subsequent works, Morissette would explore new avenues (mostly an integration of Indian Music into her sound) and take a more diplomatic and reconciliatory tone to her music. By the mid 2000s, suddenly mainstream radio would forget about Morissette. Still plowing on, in 2008, Morissette would release "Flavors of Entanglement". While once again, she would not garner high commercial sales or mainstream radio airplay, Morrssette would hit another home run for an album. In fact this collection easily ranks among Morissette's best work and really deserved serious consideration for 2008 Album of the Year.
The big change on this album is that for the first time since "Jagged Little Pill", Morissette turns sole production duties to an outside producer. On "Jagged Little Pill", much credit (deservedly so) went to produce Glen Ballard for getting the most out of Morissette on that album. On this album, Morissette turns production duties over to Guy Sigsworth. Like "Jagged Little Pill", in which Morissette co-wrote songs with Ballard, Morissette teams up with Sigsworth on the songwriting. The sound of this album is most interesting - incorporating more of a 2000s techno-electronic sound to her music. It is on this style with Sigsworth really plays a key role. While I've considered the electronic dance music movement of the 2000s to be mostly weak, it works beautifully on this album - especially when combined with the deep musical talents of Morissette. The resulting music fusion is a unique sound that is just terrific and benefits from Morissette's deep lyrics. The other thing is the raspy and scratching voice from Morissette heard on "Jagged Little Pill" is completely gone - replaced by a much more mature (and even a "diva") voice.
Here is a synopsis of the collection. I'm highly recommending the "Deluxe Edition" - which includes five "bonus" tracks.
"Citizen of the Planet": When you listen to this track, it sounds like vintage Morissette. This album starts off with what is now trademark Morissette Indian music. While we hear the mature voice, the chorus has the trademark scratching vocals.
"Underneath": Again we hear the some great near "diva" like vocals by Morissette. The chorus has a real "hook" to it. Much of this song has a classic Morissette feel to it - including the lyrics that deal with a broken relationship.
"Strait Jacket": Here we hear the first of the techo/electronic sound. The chorus very much is catchy and has a dance feel to it. Great vocals by Morissette as well.
"Versions of Violence": Great segue from "Strait Jacket" goes right into this song. More electronic/techo sounds. The song has a haunting quality. Another great track.
"Not as We": This is a piano power ballad by Morissette. Once again, great vocals.
"In Search of the Vulnerable Man": Morissette demonstrates great vocal ranges on this song. The techno sound has a slower beat, but it also helps create a mantra-like sound on this track. There is an synth-orchestral sound present as well.
"Moratorium": This track has some Indian influence and haunting elements as well. Once again the electronic sound is slower. Both the slower techno sound earlier in the song and Morissette's voice work beautifully. Toward the end, the song goes into a "trance"-like sound as the tempo picks up.
"Torch": Another piano power ballad. This song has the reconciliatory tone found on earlier Morissette albums. Morissette's voice really is strong on the chorus.
"Giggling For No Reason": This is another techno/electronic sound with some of the highest tempo of all of the tracks on this collection. In fact, I think this track makes the best use of the electronic instrumentation to enhance part of the song.
"Tapes": Another place where Morissette delivers the power vocals. While more of a power ballad, this song does make use of both electronic and string instrumentation.
"Incomplete": This song had a mainstream radio-friendly feel to it. The acoustic guitar gave this song more of vintage Morissette song.
The following five tracks are found on the "Deluxe Edition":
"Orchid": Another vintage Morissette sound. Good combination of acoustic guitar with some lighter electronic sounds.
"The Guy Who Leaves Me": This song is a classic 2000s techno/electronic song. Morissette's vocals sound more like her earlier days. The song almost has an "alley-cat" feel to it. Great track.
"Madness": This is another piano ballad, but I wouldn't call it a "power ballad". More great vocals by Morissette.
"Limbo No More": The song incorporates some orchestral sounds to start the song out. Here Morissette demonstrates some great power vocals and ranges. Nice incorporation of electronic sounds.
"On the Tequila": This might be the best song on the whole 16 song collection. Outstanding song highlighted by use of a ukulele (and more electronic sounds). Alanis uses a near spoken word vocal during the vocals as she takes us on a journey with "keeping up with her old friends". Superb effort.
Overall, this album warranted serious consideration for 2008 Album of the Year. Simply a great album and highly recommended.
Flawless - best since Jagged Little Pill
2009-01-03 - As an avid Alanis fan since '91, I own each and every one of her albums (the original disc, not digital copies), and I have memorized just about every track she's ever recorded. LOL (I'm not psychotic I promise) And I can tell you, based on my thorough familiarity with Alanis' recording career, that Flavors of Entanglement is neck-in-neck with Jagged Little Pill. Until now, she has never been able to re-create that magic she sparked with JLP. She now is exploring different avenues of synthesizers, drum machines, heavy-bass dance tracks, etc., and she masters it effortlessly. It's as if the lyrics are like a 'Jagged Little Pill pt. 2' and the music is just a brilliant orchestra of color set to a modern sound. She opens up on songs like 'Tapes', 'Not As We', and 'Madness', and we come to learn why we love her so much! It's really a quite magnificent record, and I am so proud of her! GET IT IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT! :-)
