It’s a kinder, gentler Alanis: It’s ok…I’m a kinder, gentler Monica.

Man, in 1995 I was p*ssed. I had dropped out of school, the love of my life was in the military and I couldn’t find him (now he’s laying in bed with my daughter)and I was a deli meat slicer with the queen of type A personalities for a boss. Alanis came out of a nowhere, well Canada, and represented for all the angry women who were tired of being dumped, dejected, used and underappreciated. On first listen she may have sounded like a wounded banshee, but in a sense she was. So now it’s ten years later and I’m not really p*ssed anymore. Alanis doesn’t seem to be here. So you might ask yourself what’s the point of redoing all these songs from an era long since past. I think it’s the same as taking out old pictures, reading old journals and marveling how much things have changed.

“You Oughta Know’ is much softer but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have any teeth. Scalding rage is replaced with almost a satisfaction she had satisfied her initial goal. Whoever that guy who made her want to write this song know who he is and he is constantly reminded “of the mess you made when you went away” So now it’s more like a statement of fact. I prefer the original but I also appreciate this new take as well.

“Perfect” sounds well, perfect in this acoustic trimming. Though the original is more anguished, this new one is impressive and powerful in a whole different way. “Mary Jane” is amazing in this setting. The vocals were always very powerful but with the music being quiet and subtle this fact is amplified. This was always her best vocal performance (aesthetically speaking) and was the hint that she could sing straight as well as wail with all the hiccups and vocal tics.

“Hand In My Pocket” is very different unplugged and I like the original much better. The other one just was more brash and assertive. This one sounds like a Norah Jones song which does the whole concept a disservice. If I had never heard the original I probably would have liked this but I have. The other song that doesn’t translate as well is the a capella stunner “Your House” which is no longer a capella. Her naked lyrics are dressed in some lilting guitar and the result isn’t nearly as effective.

“Right Through You” is give an orchestral working over and the results are very different in some ways but also fundamentally the same. This has a more majestic, regal sound that sounds less vengeful and more matter of fact and mature. “Ironic” sounds more like a folk song which fits more than you might imagine. Who would’ve thought? Before it was more sarcastic but in this light it seems more sincere. Instead of sneering at fate she’s accepting it.

Overall this album gives us a fresh look at some old “pictures” many of us kept in a box called Jagged Little Pill. I’m dusting off that jerk in Vegas that dumped me, I’m revisiting that feeling of never measuring up and I’m savoring my recollection of cautiously falling into love. As I dust off those memories I see them in a new light. I think it’s cool that Alanis has done the same thing. Some of them shine brighter and some of them have lost their intensity over the years. The same goes for this album.

I don’t know if I would recommend it. I think it’s a great listen but if I had to pick between the original or this version, I’d go for the original. Yet there is something poignant and special about hearing these long ago gifts in new packaging. Therefore I recommend it for Alanis Morissette fans to buy, but I recommend everyone giving it a listen. Especially those who were in the midst of our own angst riddled lives the first time.