Alanis Morissette Doesn't Flinch
Was it a surprise that Alanis Morissette landed the number one spot on the Billboard album charts last week? Maybe it was. After exploding onto the international pop scene in 1995 with the classic Jagged Little Pill, Alanis spent much of her time in subsequent years down-playing her popularity, and in 1998 released an introspective album toting a heavy title (Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie). Although the album sold well with the hits Thank U and Unsent, it wasn't for a world that wanted Alanis the angry superstar.
The effect, however, was exactly as Alanis had planned. Gone were the fair-weather fans; gone were the impossible expectations of topping Jagged Little Pill's impact. Remaining were dedicated fans and an artist eager to move on with her career. With the media subdued (relatively speaking) Alanis returned to the studio in 2001 as a songwriter and singer eager to commit her latest musings about relationships and enlightenment to tape.
Under Rug Swept finds Alanis Morissette in fine form. It's an album that demonstrates why Alanis is so much more than a woman scorned. "There's a chronology of sorts [to the album]," she says. "It starts at the tail end of a relationship and me spending time alone and getting my bearings again, then chronicles another brief relationship before moving onto a broader level at the end."
The broader level she's talking about is the last song on Under Rug Swept, Utopia, one of the album's highlights. The song proves that Alanis views her palette differently than most pop singers as it adds a certain Zen to Under Rug Swept. "I believe you can take the dynamics of one relationship and take it to a broader level," she says. "Far be it for me to have an opinion of what I think the Middle East and America should be doing if I can't even solve conflict between me and one other person. So a lot of my focus goes there, representing the broader issues."
As Utopia demonstrates, Alanis can take her music beyond the triviality of regular pop. Do date, Alanis has been a force on environmental issues, music industry issues, and has played concerts in countries like India and Cuba. Beyond music she's also competed in three triathlons. Its achievements like this that have won her fans all over the world, but it's these same achievements that have caused people to dislike Alanis for her zeal.
"I'm aware of that," Alanis says. "That's the way it's been since I was little. I think it's a blessing actually because I think the greatest part about being in the public eye is that people get to define themselves in accordance to, in this case, me. Whether they're inspired by what I write or repulsed by it, that's what we're all here to do, help each other define ourselves."
Pay attention to Alanis Morissette's career and you quickly come across the name Glen Ballard. A producer and songwriter, Glen was the visionary that made Alanis a star in the mid-90s. Glen's handiwork, however, is nowhere to be found on Under Rug Swept and Alanis' third studio outing finds the singer gracefully on her own. She tells the media that going solo on Under Rug Swept was simply another step towards total control of her career. It's a risk that has served Alanis well. In 2002, not only is she writing memorable songs like Hands Clean and So Unsexy, but she's producing them as well.
"I've been making records since I was nine years old," Alanis says. "I've worked with different producers over the years and co-produced songs for the Dogma soundtrack. I knew at that point that this was something I was really curious about. It encouraged my to trust my own gut and to take care of myself in a way that I've looked for producers to do. Whether it was them acting as buffers against the outside world or whatever, I had to learn to be that for myself."
Log onto Alanis' official web site and you'll find the singer documenting her world promotional tour. It's this worldliness that many people find so interesting about Alanis, which asks the question, is she dating anyone right now? And if so, are they scared to break up with her for fear of having the entire episode played out on her next CD?
Alanis laughs. "I am dating someone, yes. Anyone who dates me at this point knows what they're getting into. They know that I write very autobiographically and I think it takes a certain amount of courage to be willing to be the subject matter of any song. It's always my truth so it's not like I'm making things up."
Her career has awarded Alanis with over 40 million records sold and a handful of Grammys. She's an actress with off-Broadway theatre experience and HBO credentials. Altogether it's clear that she's dedicated and clear about her purpose in entertainment. In fact, seven years after breaking onto the scene, she remains one of its reigning stars.
Alanis Morissette is preparing to embark on a North American tour in May and June 2002.
