Customer Reviews

Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie

5 star:		(417)
4 star:		(143)
3 star:		(47)
2 star:		(49)
1 star:		(115)

 

 

Alanis Morissette is, without doubt, a legitimate phenomenon. Not only did she record one of the most successful and talked about albums of the 90's, she managed to defy her critics, disappear for a year to work with Mother Theresa, and then release an even better second album. The maturity she obviously gained in her absence is evident in every song on Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. Gone are the amateur-psychologist introspective lyrics and the catchy yet unemotional music - don't get me wrong, I loved 'Jagged Little Pill', but compared to this, it's chart fodder - and in their places are lyrics with real depth of understanding and music with real emotion and sensitivity. There is a darkness about this album, a forthright intelligence, subtle wit and heaps of individuality - which means that, unfortunately, it does not have widespread commercial appeal.

Musically, it's heavier and more diverse than the previous album. Some of the tracks sound like moody heavy rock (Baba, Joining You, I Was Hoping), others like cherubic folk tunes, but then it never sounds like anything else you've ever heard - her voice is utterly unique. A lot of the tracks require a great deal of digestion, and some I've listened to for a good couple of years and still haven't worked out. Songs like One, Would Not Come and I Was Hoping are incredibly self-critical, but only if you're really insecure can you relate to the lyrics. Joining You is a very personal number (it could have been written about my teens) that really situates you inside her life, and That I Would Be Good is incredible, by far the most insightful and moving she has ever been - provided you can understand how it feels to pin your happiness and self-esteem upon success. Can't Not makes you think, The Couch is a remarkably deep psychology-fest, and there are still songs about love and the pressures of relationships in these modern times.

Overall, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie is great, but like I said, I don't think it has widespread appeal because it is not all happy and empowering, her sexual aggression (a major part of the first album) is very underplayed, and the songs can make you feel uncomfortable about your own life. The eastern influences are very noticeable and enhance her rare sound. The only downside is Unsent, which I cannot relate to at all. Personally, I think this album belongs in every collection, but even my girlfriend - who loved the first album - hates this one. I won't say you have to go out and buy it, but I definitely think more people, especially those who hated the first album and anyone into alternative music, should give it an open listen. Then you might just change your opinion about her.

This may be the most underated and underapprecitated masterpiece of our genteration. Do yourself a favour, don't just hear this, listen to it. Not for the top forty crowd who bought 'Jagged Little Pill' because everyone else did. No this for true lovers of creativity and brillance.

Don't believe those who tell you they didn't like this one... To me, it is the best of Alanis' albums, judging overall impression. I can only agree, it is completely original, somewhat experimental, but you can totally go into it. And have you ever heard a song that sounds just as thankful as thank you does, one that sounds so short of breath as so pure, one as stand-by-you-no-matter-what as joining you? I really love the opening: front row is amazing, and baba so says it. The couch is my favourite of all time... Sit down, listen to it, then listen to it again. Nobody expects you to get used to it the first time you hear it. If you don't take your time with it, you're denying yourself some overwhelming experience!

Jagged Little Pill was great, but since then Alanis has just churned out three albums with nothing new to offer, little inspiration, and lyrics that aren't particularly poetic or interesting and overwhelm her music with their sheer bulk. This album is one of those three.

First look at the price of the used CDs. $2.00 for this is too much, but that's how much it will cost you if you want to subject yourself to yet another collection of Alanis Morissette's cacophonies. I for one really don't understand this. William Hung (the Idol reject) knows he can't sing, but he's at least humorous in his total lack of talent. Doesn't Alanis know she can't sing either? Seriously, does any one really think this woman has talent? It's a joke right? Perhaps it's just her "edgy" cat-in-heat, out-of-tune shrieking and whining (ref: Jagged Little Pill) that appeals to people with poor hearing. I actually feel sorry for her sometimes and wish someone would put this poor wailing animal (Alanis) out of its misery. I heard her on Good Morning America the other day when she performed Ella Fitzgerald's "Let's fall in Love" and it was so shamefully and absurdly bad I actually thought she was kidding. Alanis needs to retake Roseanne Barr's "How to sing" correspondence course. She obviously didn't learn anything the first time.

Though in my opinion not as good as Jagged Little Pill or Under Rug Swept, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie is a spiritual journey through the thoughts and mind of Alanis. Always writing straight from her heart, this album was recorded/written during/after her trip to India where Alanis fled to get away from it all.
Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie is a collection of 17 songs featuring the famous single Thank You, a song tribute to India for helping her. Though lacking in musical style, the song writing makes up for most of it. This album is more poetry than music, in my opinion. The lyrics should tell you that.
Still a great listen and a perfect addiction to any music or Alanis collection. Best tracks - Unsent, So Pure, Joining You, That I Would Be Good

Alanis's Jagged Little Pill was better, but Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie is a close second. It has a variety of different beats, like the dance in "So Pure" and the soft "That I Would Be Good".

Many of the songs share an Indian influence, like the angry "Baba" and the haunting "The Couch".

Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie begins with "Front Row" (9/10). It's a catchy, poppy song with a strange intro. The second track is "Baba" (10/10). Baba is an angry track about non-belief. I love the "Ah Vay Maria" part at the ending.

Everybody knows the lead single "Thank U" (10/10). It's incredibly catchy ballad. Alanis's voice shines at the chorus. The next song is "Are You Still Mad?" (9/10) which is an acoustic song to tell her lover to stop moaning. Overall, a solid song. One of the three weak songs is "Sympathetic Character" (4/10) which seems very out-of-sync. Very weak.

"That I Would Be Good" (10/10) is the second best track. I love the flutes used in it. A true gem of the album. The best track is the following track, called "The Couch" (11/10) which is a haunting ballad with strange lyrics about her father. The Couch is THE gem of the album.

The follow-up to the wonderful The Couch is "Can't Not" (7/10) which has a strange beat. I love the bridge at the end. "UR" (10/10) is a strong track. Not much to say, but you should give it a listen.

"I Was Hoping" (10/10) is a very dark song. The lyrics are similar to "The Couch" and the beat is similar to "Joining You" two of the strongest tracks on the album, which proves the same for "I Was Hoping".

"One" (10/10) is another strong song. It has a weird beat and somewhat dark lyrics. Three strong song prepare you for the worst song, "Would Not Come" (2/10). The wicked laugh at the beginning creeps me out. The whole track is dark and creepy. Don't listen to it.

"Unsent" (9/10) was the second single to be released in the USA. It's about 5 letters to her boyfriends (Matthew, Jonathan, Terrence, Marcus, Lou) that were never sent. "So Pure" (10/10) was the third single if you don't count "Joining You" (10/10) which was never released in the USA. So Pure is a fun, catchy dance song. Joining You is depressing and has a strong intro.

"Heart Of The House" (4/10) is the third of three weak songs. Alanis sings with a high-pitched voice. The closer is "Your Congratulations" (9/10) which reminds me of Evanescence's "Hello". I can't stand the operatic ending of Your Congratulations, but the rest is OK.

I really wish people didn't overlook this album so much. You should give this a listen. Go out and buy your copy today.

I loved Jagged Little Pill, but this surpasses it with many different music styles and instruments. Her vocals are much more controlled and the lyrics to these songs are much deeper. The songs I love the most are "Front Row" Baba" and "The Couch" and I lyk a little of "Cant Not". If ur not a fan of alanis, i wouldnt suggest bying this album, but if u r BYE IT!!!

After three years of the release of the ever successful, Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morissette finally released her sophmore album, "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie". What's distintcly different about this album and it's predessor? How about a much more softer and not-so-angry toned Morissette, musical influences from India, and a new sense of spirituality. This record is considered Morissette's "F#@& you" record to the industry, because she literally defies all common recording industry rules. From the very beginiing of this record you'll sense a new peace in Morissette thanks to "Front Row" (a song whose verses are derived from conversations) and the guitar whirling "Baba" (a song that questions people's personal motives in religion). Thank U (the first single from the record) is Alanis Morissette's declaration of thankfulness for the expiriences she has lived and accepting the good and bad in her life. This album is packed with 17 songs which (for the casual listener) maybe hard to digest. "Joining You", "Sympathetic Character", "Would Not Come", and "Can't Not") are all angry songs that are reminiscent of Jagged Little Pill. However songs like: "So Pure", "The Couch", "UR", "Unsent", and "One" reveal Alanis's new expirimental style. I would never reccommend this album to the casual Alanis Morissette listener, but it is definitley a treasure among rocks.

This album just floors me everytime I listen to it. It's a pulsating, epic, emotional work. You feel Alanis bleeding in every single song. You feel her searching, you feel her crying, it's an amazing experience. DON'T BE FOOLED! It's not nearly as inaccesible as some want you to think! The melodies are as memorable as ever, and there are qualitites that are absolutely timeless. To call this album great would be an understatement. HOW DID IT TAKE ME SO LONG TO CATCH ON TO HER??!!