Just One Hell Of A Jagged Little Pill, Alanis That Is [ATCYVOM W/O]

I can logically divide my life into several parts in numerous ways, but usually I name two dates as the turn points. On December 31, 1996 I learnt what music actually was by listening to the music marathon on my favorite [Russian-American, by the way] radio station. And on August 10, 1998 I came to the United States. Of course, I consider the last one a major turn point in my life, actually the date when my past became history never to be me again. Music wise, the first date made a huge difference. How do they connect and why do I tell you all this in an Alanis Morissette review?

Jagged Little Pill was released in 1995. She made it to the Russian radio in 1996 with two singles: Head Over Feet and, of course, Ironic. Those two songs were in the marathon and I remember being completely fascinated by the lyrical side of a bit harsh voice that did not seem to be beautiful at that point. The MC commented that Madonna was Alanis’ “godmother”. Shortly after that, going through my friend’s CD collection I saw Jagged Little Pill, and she told me that from the whole album she really liked only Hand In my Pocket. I remember getting home that day, grabbing a plate and turning on some music channel, and there she was: Hand In My Pocket, black and white video, Alanis with harmonica. I was not too keen on that song, besides, for ages I have not listened to the marathon I fanatically recorded, so I almost forgot about Alanis [yes, that’s possible if you live in Russia]. Two years after that, a few weeks before going to the States, I had been staying up late watching World Cup on TV and somewhere around 1AM I turned on the channel that played music videos all night. I sat through Celine Dion and Matchbox 20, which probably should give you an idea of how tired and not caring I was back then, but once Ironic popped up I was up myself. Going to the States I knew exactly what my first bought CD would be and yep yep, it was Jagged Little Pill.

I think I’ve been listening to that copy more than my foster family could handle it. My seven-year-old sister started singing along only to realize that there was an F-word in You Oughta Know. My ten-year-old brother used to imitate Alanis’ voice, rocking and jumping around the room with his guitar. My mom had nothing against my little obsession and my dad even gave me Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie for Christmas, which was really nice, though three years hence I’m still trying to make a full journey through it. Now, I wouldn’t mind all that happening in my Russian family, but c’mon, my fosters understood the lyrics, besides it was a very Christian family. I remember mom almost smashing the stereo when I put Skunk Anansie “Hedonism” on, so how could she tolerate two You Oughta Know on the disc? [Uh-huh, there are two of that on the album.] Frankly speaking, I remember my whole Christian community liking Alanis, weird, I thought.

Don’t get me wrong; Alanis is a great singer and songwriter. She was the first to show me what lyrics should really be like: true, meaningful, genuine, emotional and coming from the heart but not same love crap “I want you, I need you, Oh baby, Oh baby”. She was also the first one I liked to shamelessly curse, which is not something I appreciate around Christian elementary school kids, but something I respect from mature person just for the simple reason of freedom of speech [all my teenagehood I was Miss Political Correctness, by the way]. However I’m still debating the necessity of doubling You Oughta Know song.

Still, the major reason why I love Alanis [and frankly speaking, not only this album] is that no matter what’s going on in my life, no matter how hard or good it gets, no matter what I feel and who I’m with at the moment, I can start singing some line from her songs, more than that, it comes naturally.

I was talking with a friend of mine the other day, she’s probably the wittiest person of all I know in my college. She has the most charming smile of all, making me falling for her helplessly. So we were sitting and talking, but in my mind was spinning only, You’ve already won me over in spite of me/Don’t be alarmed if I fall head over feet/Don’t be surprised if I love you for all that you are/I couldn’t help it/It’s all your fault.

Then a couple of weeks ago, when I was made an editor and almost got used to that new role, I was just using my power on Epinions [reading, rating, commenting, eh, being an editor?], and then I just sit back and sang, Now that I’m Miss Thing/ Now that I’m a zillionaire/You scan the credits for your name/And wonder why it’s not there. Having currently no one to tell the last two lines to, I simply dropped them.

Usually, though, I find myself singing her songs randomly, just as they come to my mind, and trust me, usually it’s Alanis who comes to my mind first. I think, all the times when I feel like I have to listen to Jagged Little Pill is more of an insanity prevention: two full spins of the record and Finn is back on track.

If my doctor told me I had 24 hours to live, I would probably re-read all kris-kochanski reviews while listening to Alanis. It just feels right calming myself down to guitar, angry drums, playful harmonica and a harsh 20something-year-old.

Three years ago I thought Alanis rocked, after listening to Jagged Little Pill ten thousand times I still think she rocks. Even though her Supposed Former… turned out to be more rock alternative, I find it’s more depressing and hard to listen to on a regular basis. Jagged Little Pill though was perfect, it was exactly what I needed to push my music awareness in early 1997, it was something that completely changed my view on lyrics, especially love lyrics. At some point this album seemed philosophically very deep, I still think it has a lot to contribute to my life philosophy and sanity in general.

I brought all those memories and thoughts up to your attention because MagnumForce hosted “Albums that changed your view on music” write-off. In addition to said above, I should mention that Jagged Little Pill holds an honor for being the first CD I ever bought, so somehow it changed my view on music format [kidding].

Other participants are:
MagnumForce
MadTheory
Conter7
LessThanNick1
DVON
BigC55555
Firstcontact21
Systemdwn
Lunadisarm
Churst
Cyanne
Crazy3237
Repulsemonkey
Yuffie
Kenshin-Guy
Finn was here
Dequebec
Ryost
Monssfisch
BARNZ