Alanis Morissette Under Rug swept

Personnel includes: Alanis Morissette (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Tim Thorney (guitar, bass); Nick Lashley, Dean Deleo, Joel Shearer (guitar); Mark Stephens (piano, keyboards); Richard Causon (piano); Jamie Muhoberac (keyboards); Eric Avery, Chris Chaney, Flea, Me'Shell NdegeOcello, Chris Bruce (bass); Gary Novak (drums, percussion).
In the four years following the release of 1998's SUPPOSED FORMER INFATUATION JUNKIE, Alanis Morissette went far afield from music, dabbling in film (DOGMA), TV (SEX & THE CITY) and stage (THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES). Her return to the studio found the older and wiser former child star hooking up with her old band along with a number of superstar guests. Sharing the same confessional approach towards songwriting as musical brethren Natalie Imbruglia and Fiona Apple, Morissette delves into personal experiences with ex-lovers ("Narcissus" featuring Flea), new ones (the soaring "Surrendering"), and feelings of insecurity ("So Unsexy" featuring Me'shell N'Degeocello).
Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Dean DeLeo and former Jane's Addiction bassist Eric Avery lend their talents to the yearning of "Precious Illusions." Best of all is the uplifting closer "Utopia," an anthem of hope that combines the spiritually focused Canadian's ethereal vocal phrasing with lush string arrangements and trilling acoustic guitar. Despite being weighted in a good deal of introspection, Morissette's third outing finds her deftly avoiding any hint of pretentiousness or self-absorption.

• Genre: Rock
• Format: Vinyl