Flavors of Entanglement | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | May 30, 2008 | |||
Recorded | 2007–2008 | |||
Studio | The Village Recorder (Los Angeles, California) Frou Frou Central (London) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 46:12 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | Guy Sigsworth | |||
Alanis Morissette chronology | ||||
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Alanis Morissette studio album chronology | ||||
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Singles from Flavors of Entanglement | ||||
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Flavors of Entanglement is the seventh studio album,fifth international release and last Maverick Records release by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette. The album,which was originally set for an April release,came out on May 30,2008,in Germany,Benelux,and Ireland,internationally on June 2,and in the United States on June 10. It was produced by Guy Sigsworth. Flavors won Pop Album of the Year prize at the 2009 Juno Awards. The album gets its name from a lyric in the track "Moratorium".
Flavors of Entanglement received generally positive reviews from music critics,praising the new style of Morissette's album;however,critics felt the album was not as original as Morissette's earlier albums Jagged Little Pill and Under Rug Swept . Charting success of the album was also moderate worldwide. The album peaked at number eight on the US Billboard 200. The album also spawned an American tour called Flavors of Entanglement Tour,which spanned September to November 2008.
Morissette left Maverick Records in 2009,following completion of all promotional activities in support of the album.
In March 2005,Morissette said she was ready to begin work on a new album,explaining that she had filled four journals and usually began a new album after filling two—"I'm very pregnant with songs",she said. [1] She mentioned her intentions for the sound of the album in a December 2005 interview to promote The Collection ,saying she "would love to fuse the technological sonic landscapes with the more organic ones". [2] In January 2006, Rolling Stone wrote that Morissette was in between "intense" writing sessions for her upcoming studio album,for which she had enlisted multiple collaborators,including Mike Elizondo,who produced her song "Wunderkind" for the soundtrack of the 2005 film The Chronicles of Narnia:The Lion,the Witch and the Wardrobe . Morissette described herself as "teeming with ideas" following the release of So-Called Chaos and stated that she had "more than enough thoughts to congeal together." [3]
In October 2006,Morissette said in an interview with TV Guide that she was going to enter the studio and start writing new material over the next few weeks,saying "at the present,I have seven journals full. I have a lot within me ready to burst out." [4] Morissette released a cover of The Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps" in April 2007,and the high quality of the recording led to speculation among fans that she was in the studio working on an album. [5] She performed at a gig for The Nightwatchman,a.k.a. Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine,at the Hotel Caféin Los Angeles on April 24. There,she said that she and producer Guy Sigsworth had been "sequestered" in London and Los Angeles during the previous few months writing "a bevy of new songs". Accompanied by Sigsworth on piano,Morissette played a new song,"Not as We". [6] Later,the song appeared in the third episode of the fourth season of the television series House ,"97 Seconds", [7] which was first aired on October 9.
In August,Sigsworth said in an interview with arbiter.co.uk that 25 songs were written for the album,13 had been recorded,and eight more were being recorded after Morissette requested B-sides and "exclusives". Sigsworth described Morissette as "a dream to work with" and "totally into my sound world." [8] In the same interview,guitarist and programmer Andy Page said that at one point,they were working on 12 of the tracks simultaneously,and that one contains "moshing,distorted guitars" and a "wall-of-noise" created using Guitar Rig. Page also said that he had used the graphical modular software music studio Reaktor on the album,saying of it that "I prefer using its granulators and weirder signal processors to its synths. Some of its physically modeled stuff is very cool,and there are some cool wavetable synths." [8] An October 2007 interview with Morissette,published on the blog Holons 2.0,reported that the title of the album was Flavors of Entanglement,while noting that no release date had been set. [9] The release date of the album ended up being moved five times. [10]
Morissette has noted an expansion of her musical sound on Flavors of Entanglement,and that there are "more technological aspects to it on a sonic level" than previously. She said that because of her love for dancing,the album incorporates beats and loops that enable one to,in her words,"dance your face off". [11] She has described the album as "a combination of everything" in which she has a musical interest,including hip hop beats and organic instruments. [12] Morissette has referred to the album as "techno-sounding but organic" and said,"I like fusion." [13] According to Billboard magazine,the album "balances world- and folk-influenced tracks against the experimental pop leanings of producer Guy Sigsworth". [12]
According to Morissette,the album features a "nice cross-section" of "joy and levity" similar to what is featured on her 2004 album, So-Called Chaos ,and "[the] kind of rock bottom,'Holy shit,I am a broken woman' moment." [11] She said that the album features songs about her own personal relationships,explaining that writing about them is her favourite activity "'cause it's the only thing I can really comment on with any kind of conviction or authority." [11] The album incorporates themes involving both personal and political conflict,and Morissette explained that "Our emotions align themselves with larger symptomatic things in the world. We face a large war out there,but [the album] more closely reflects the war in people's living rooms... the icy silence at home,versus the big cold war." [12] Morissette summarized the track "Moratorium" as being "essentially a song about my readiness to stop repeating bad patterns. I've kicked some of those in my life." [12] She said of "Not as We","You know how you can resist hitting rock bottom for a long time? That song just goes 'OK,I'm going. All the way down'". [11] "Underneath" is about breakdowns in communication. [11]
Musically,the album is a change from her previous music,which features pop rock and alternative rock music,but for example tracks like "On the Tequila" and "Giggling Again for No Reason",the songs feature more dance-oriented music.
Morissette and Mutemath opened for the band Matchbox Twenty on their North American tour,a two-month-long excursion that began January 25,2008,in Hollywood,Florida and ended March 18 in Las Vegas,Nevada. [14] [15] Morissette was confirmed to perform at all the shows except the Verona,New York venue. [16]
In January 2008,Morissette filmed a mini-concert special for A&E,which aired May 18. On March 28,Morissette filmed an eight-song set for Sessions@AOL,an online music program produced by AOL Music. The set appeared online in May. She also appeared on the schedule for the Summer Concert Series for The Today Show . In early 2008,Alanis.com held a contest in which the first 200 e-mail respondents were invited to a private show for Yahoo! Music's "Live Sets" program. [17] In June,Morissette went to Europe and did headlining shows there,then returned to North America for the continuation of her headlining tour in the Fall. [18]
On Tuesday,June 3,2008,MuchMusic got the rights to stream the entire album online,a full week before its North American release. [19] Morissette performed at the Summerset Music Festival on Prince Edward Island,Canada on September 13,2008. It was her first performance on PEI. [20] Her North American Flavors of Entanglement Tour began on September 18,2008,and ended on November 17,2008. [17] Morissette appeared on the premiere episode of Rosie Live on November 26,followed by radio station holiday concerts,according to her official website and MySpace. In early 2009,Morissette embarked on her Latin American and South American tour. In Brazil,before the show in São Paulo,she appeared on the popular TV show, Domingão do Faustão ,and performed some of her biggest hits there,including "Ironic" and the newly released "Underneath". [21] In the United Kingdom,she performed "Underneath" on The Graham Norton Show .
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 63/100 [22] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [23] |
Blender | [24] |
Consequence of Sound | C+ [25] |
Entertainment Weekly | B+ [26] |
The Montreal Gazette | [27] |
The Guardian | [28] |
Paste | Mixed [29] |
PopMatters | 6/10 [30] |
Rolling Stone | [31] |
Slant Magazine | [32] |
The New Zealand Herald | [33] |
USA Today | [34] |
Flavors of Entanglement received generally positive reviews from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic awarded the album three-and-a-half stars out of five. He said "filled with songs of heartbreak,anger,and regret,along with a healthy dose of self affirmation –or at least it seems that way,as Alanis' words are harder than ever to parse,a mangled web of garbled syntax,overheated metaphors,and mystifying verbal contortions all requiring too much effort to decode. In that sense,it's a lot like Jagged Little Pill,but musically this is far closer to the muddled mystic worldbeat of Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie,thanks in large part to her collaboration with Guy Sigsworth,best known for his productions with Björk and Madonna." [23] Leah Greenblatt from Entertainment Weekly gave it a B+. She said "Somehow,a devastating personal experience has galvanized her songwriting in a way that domestic bliss,as showcased on 2004's disappointing So-Called Chaos,could not." [26]
However,there have been more mixed reviews from music critics. Paul Schrodt from Slant Magazine gave it two-and-a-half stars out of five. He did praise the album's new musical direction,calling her the "new-age Alanis",but did say that she really hasn't changed from Jagged Little Pill since 1995. The Toronto Star gave the album three stars out of four. They said "The disc includes enough woman-scorned tunes to support that theory,given how the Ottawa-bred singer made her career with confessional songwriting.". Joanna Hunkin from The New Zealand Herald gave the album four stars out of five,saying Morissette's lyric writing was still "awkward" but that the album "is definitely Morissette's best work of this decade." [35]
Flavors of Entanglement debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200 selling 71,000 copies in its first week. As of March 2012,the album had sold 233,000 copies in the United States. [36] There have also been 76,000 paid downloads of the debut single,"Underneath",while "Not as We" racked up 38,000 paid downloads.
Outside of the US,the album debuted at number one on the Swiss Albums Chart,making it Morissette's third number one album there,and stayed on the charts for 16 weeks. It debuted at number three on the Austrian Albums Chart,and stayed in the charts for 12 weeks. The album debuted at number 20 on the Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders),later peaking at number eight on its second week,and also peaked at number five on the Belgian Albums Chart (Wallonia). The album debuted at number six on the French Albums Chart,staying in the charts for 16 weeks. It also peaked at number eight in Italy,at number 36 on the Swedish Albums Chart and at number 30 on the Spanish Albums Chart.
The album debuted at number 17 on the Australian Albums Chart,falling to number 33 on its second week before dropping out of the chart. The record stayed a sole week on the New Zealand Albums Chart,peaking at number 35.
As of August 2012,the album has sold over 600,000 worldwide. [37]
All lyrics are written by Alanis Morissette; all music is composed by Morissette and Guy Sigsworth
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Citizen of the Planet" | 4:22 |
2. | "Underneath" | 4:07 |
3. | "Straitjacket" | 3:08 |
4. | "Versions of Violence" | 3:36 |
5. | "Not as We" | 4:45 |
6. | "In Praise of the Vulnerable Man" | 4:07 |
7. | "Moratorium" | 5:34 |
8. | "Torch" | 4:49 |
9. | "Giggling Again for No Reason" | 3:48 |
10. | "Tapes" | 4:26 |
11. | "Incomplete" | 3:30 |
No. | Title | Length |
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12. | "It's a Bitch to Grow Up" | 4:03 |
No. | Title | Length |
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12. | "20/20" | 4:17 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Orchid" | 4:21 |
2. | "The Guy Who Leaves" | 4:12 |
3. | "Madness" | 6:21 |
4. | "Limbo No More" | 5:21 |
5. | "On the Tequila" | 3:42 |
The following is a list of songs recorded during the same studio sessions that didn't make it onto the album's final track list. Morissette stated that the album would feature 11 tracks, [12] but that the additional songs would eventually be released in other forms, such as in-store exclusives and YouTube music video releases.[ citation needed ]
^ "Wounded Leading Wounded" was written originally for 2004's So-Called Chaos but was abandoned. Guy Sigsworth and Morissette brought the song out again for their studio sessions.
^^ These songs have never been mentioned by Morissette or Sigsworth, but recently appeared on ASCAP's songfile database credited to Sigsworth and Morissette.
^^^ "Break" appeared as a b-side to "In Praise of the Vulnerable Man".
Chart (2008) | Peak position |
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Argentine Albums (CAPIF) [38] | 5 |
Australian Albums (ARIA) [39] | 17 |
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [40] | 3 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [41] | 5 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [42] | 8 |
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [43] | 2 |
Danish Albums (Hitlisten) [44] | 16 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [45] | 7 |
French Albums (SNEP) [46] | 6 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [47] | 8 |
Irish Albums (IRMA) [48] | 32 |
Italian Albums (FIMI) [49] | 7 |
Japanese Albums (Oricon) [50] | 58 |
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [51] | 35 |
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) [52] | 12 |
Portuguese Albums (AFP) [53] | 30 |
Scottish Albums (OCC) [54] | 30 |
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) [55] | 30 |
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [56] | 36 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [57] | 1 |
UK Albums (OCC) [58] | 15 |
US Billboard 200 [59] | 8 |
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [60] | 3 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Italy (FIMI) [61] | Gold | 35,000* |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [62] | Gold | 15,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian and American singer, songwriter and musician. She is known for her emotive mezzo-soprano voice and confessional songwriting. Morissette began her music career in Canada in the early 1990s with two dance-pop albums. In 1995, she released Jagged Little Pill, an alternative rock-oriented album with elements of post-grunge. This album sold more than 33 million copies globally, propelling her to become a cultural phenomenon. It earned her the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1996 and was adapted into a rock musical of the same name in 2017. The musical earned fifteen Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. Additionally, the album was listed in Rolling Stone's 2003 and 2020 editions of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" guide. The lead single, "You Oughta Know", was also included at #103 in their "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
Jagged Little Pill is the third studio album by Canadian-American singer Alanis Morissette, released on June 13, 1995, through Maverick and her first album to be released worldwide. It marked a stylistic departure from the dance-pop sound of her first two albums, Alanis (1991) and Now Is the Time (1992). Morissette began work on the album after moving from her hometown Ottawa to Los Angeles, where she met producer Glen Ballard. Morissette and Ballard had an instant connection and began co-writing and experimenting with sounds. The experimentation resulted in an alternative rock album that takes influence from post-grunge and pop rock, and features guitars, keyboards, drum machines, and harmonica. The lyrics touch upon themes of aggression and unsuccessful relationships, while Ballard introduced a pop sensibility to Morissette's angst. The title of the album is taken from a line in the first verse of the song "You Learn".
So-Called Chaos is the sixth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released on May 18, 2004, through Maverick Records. It was preceded by the single "Everything" on April 13, which went on to become Morissette's lowest peaking song on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 76. The album was met with mixed reviews from critics upon release, with some calling it her most accessible record since Jagged Little Pill (1995) while others criticized the project's confusing messages and felt the singer had lost what made her a cultural icon of the '90s.
"Ironic" is a song by Canadian singer Alanis Morissette. It was released in February 1996 as the third single from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). It was written by Morissette and Glen Ballard, and was produced by him. The lyrics present several situations that are described as "ironic"; this has led to debate as to whether any of these actually match the accepted meaning of irony.
Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie is the fourth studio album and second internationally released album by singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released by Maverick Records in the United States on November 3, 1998. The album was positively received by critics and performed well commercially, breaking the record for album sales in its first week by a female artist. The first single from the album, "Thank U", reached the top 20 of the US Billboard Hot 100. Morissette promoted the album with worldwide touring. The album gets its name from a lyric in the track "So Pure".
Under Rug Swept is the fifth studio album and third internationally released album by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette. Released by Maverick Records in the United States on February 26, 2002, and in the United Kingdom a day earlier, it was the first album Morissette had written and produced all on her own. It debuted at number one on charts in 12 countries, including the United States and Canada, and produced the singles "Hands Clean" and "Precious Illusions". Sales, however, did not match those of Morissette's previous two studio albums.
"You Oughta Know" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released as the lead single from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995), on July 6, 1995. After releasing two studio albums, Morissette left MCA Records Canada and was introduced to manager Scott Welch. Morissette began working on new music after moving from her hometown of Ottawa to Toronto, but made little progress. In Los Angeles, she met producer Glen Ballard, with whom she wrote songs including "You Oughta Know".
MTV Unplugged is the first live album by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released by Maverick Records in the United States on November 9, 1999. It comprises songs performed by Morissette on the television program MTV Unplugged. Twelve tracks were included on the album, but Morissette also performed "Baba", "Thank U" and "Your House" during the live taping. These were later released as B-sides on the "King of Pain" single release. The first single, "That I Would Be Good", was moderately successful, and two other tracks, "King of Pain" and "You Learn" were released as singles outside North America. As of March 2012, the album has sold 673,000 copies in the U.S.
"Head over Feet" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, taken from her third studio album Jagged Little Pill (1995). Written by Alanis and Glen Ballard, and produced by Ballard, it was released as the album's fifth single in July 1996 and presented a softer sound than the previous singles from the album. "Head over Feet" talks about being best friends and lovers with someone at the same time, with Alanis thanking them for their manners, love and devotion.
Jagged Little Pill Acoustic is a studio album by Alanis Morissette. It is a largely acoustic retrospective version of her highly successful third album, Jagged Little Pill (1995); the songs are stripped-down versions of the originals, though producer Glen Ballard has augmented them with studio production effects to create an alternative pop album. The album was released by Maverick Records in the United States on June 13, 2005, available only at North American Starbucks outlets until July 26, 2005, when it was made available in other retail stores. This limited availability led to a dispute between Maverick Records and HMV Canada, who retaliated by removing from sale Morissette's other albums for the duration of Starbucks' exclusive month-long sale. The album's single in the U.S. was "Hand in My Pocket". The cover artwork is a sepia-toned tribute to the cover of the original Jagged Little Pill.
"You Learn" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). It was written by Morissette and Glen Ballard, the album's producer. Maverick and Warner Bros. Records released the song as the album's fourth single. The lyrics state that valuable lessons are learned from poor decisions. The album title is taken from this song's line "Swallow it down ".
The Collection is a greatest hits compilation album by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released in the United States on 15 November 2005. It comprises material from 1995 to 2005, with some soundtrack selections and a cover of Seal's "Crazy". A limited edition release, which included a DVD, followed on 6 December 2005.
"Hand in My Pocket" is a song by Canadian recording artist and songwriter Alanis Morissette from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). The song was written by Morissette and Glen Ballard and was released as the second single from the album on October 16, 1995 by Maverick and Reprise, five months after the album release. The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who applauded Morissette's songwriting.
"That I Would Be Good" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette that was first included on her fourth studio album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998). An acoustic live version of the song was recorded during a session for MTV Unplugged on September 18, 1999. The live version was released as a single in Europe in 1999 and in Canada on February 8, 2000.
The discography of Canadian-American singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette comprises 10 studio albums, three live albums, six compilation albums, two extended plays, 46 singles, 12 promotional singles, six video albums, and 41 music videos. She has sold more than 85 million albums worldwide.
"Underneath" is a song recorded for Alanis Morissette's seventh studio album, Flavors of Entanglement, which was produced by Guy Sigsworth. It is the album's first single. The song was digitally released on April 15, 2008 after originally being scheduled for March 25. According to Morissette, "'Underneath' is about how you can only change the world after you change yourself."
Havoc and Bright Lights is the eighth studio album by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, first released in Japan on August 22, 2012. The album is her first release on Collective Sounds, and in the US by RED Distribution and marks her first release away from Maverick Records, her label since 1995. It was produced by Guy Sigsworth and Joe Chiccarelli, the former having produced her previous album, Flavors of Entanglement (2008).
"Guardian" is a song by Canadian-American recording artist Alanis Morissette, released as the lead single from her eighth studio album, Havoc and Bright Lights (2012). The song was written by Morissette and Guy Sigsworth, and produced by Sigsworth and Joe Chiccarelli. It is a rock song, in which Morissette promises to look after a special someone.
Such Pretty Forks in the Road is the ninth studio album by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released on July 31, 2020, through Epiphany Music and Thirty Tigers in North America, and by RCA and Sony Music in Europe. It is Morissette's first studio album in eight years, following 2012's Havoc and Bright Lights.