Alanis plays the psychologist
By EMILY TUMBRINK
Scene Music Critic
Under Rug Swept, Alanis Morissette's third album, is perhaps her most intellectual to date. Possessing deeply contemplative lyrics of self-examination and scrutiny from the world around her, this album exposes the issues that many women feel but are either afraid or incapable of expressing.
Morissette's lyrics almost exclusively explore the inner-workings of relationships with members of the opposite sex. The diatribes against men that are so brutally present on tracks like "You Oughta Know" from her debut album Jagged Little Pill have been toned down slightly, but are still present in a more musical and less screeching form, most notably on "Narcissus" when she sings, "Dear momma's boy / I know you've had your butt licked by your mother / I know you've enjoyed all that attention from her / And every woman graced with your presence after."
The hit song "Hands Clean," which apparently describes an experience of underage sex with a music-business mentor, also presents a negative portrayal of the male gender, while at the same time explaining the possible origins of her abhorrence.
But before all the male readers run frantically for the shelter provided by a less confrontational album, let it be reiterated that this album may be helpful in clarifying the kind of behavior that women almost universally desire. Sensitive men who hope to gain insight into the mystery that is woman might actually benefit from Morissette's critical lyrics.
In "21 Things I Want in a Lover," Morissette creates somewhat of a personal ad, questioning an unnamed man about his qualifications as a lover.
"Do you derive joy when someone else succeeds? / Do you not play dirty when engaged in competition? / Do you have a big intellectual capacity / But know that alone does not equate wisdom?"
In "So Unsexy," Morissette recalls her teenage years, describing many belittling experiences to which most women can relate but that some men may not realize have such a great effect on members of the female persuasion.
"Oh these little protections how they fail to serve me / one forgotten phone call and I'm deflated / Oh these little defenses how they fail to comfort me / Your hand pulling away and I'm devastated."
Although most of the songs on Under Rug Swept contain intense and thought-provoking subject matter, it is possible to listen to the album simply for enjoyment, rather than in an attempt to understand the meaning of Morissette's life. Despite Morissette's extensive use of words like "vacillated," "self-deprecating," "reciprocity," and "archaic," the music accompanying this heavy vocabulary is surprisingly light and pleasant, lending itself to a mellow setting.
Abandoning Glen Ballard, producer and co-writer of her previous albums, Morissette proves that she has learned quite a bit about the music industry over the past few years. On certain tracks the accompaniment sounds over-produced and synthesized, but for the most part the simplicity of melody pairs nicely with Morissette's voice. Ultimately, Under Rug Swept succeeds as an album, though some listeners may still find it difficult to get past the psychological analysis that occurs on most of the tracks.
All Scene Stories for Tuesday, January 21, 2003
