If you think Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette is something of a grand slam (I do) and her follow-up, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, at least a third base hit, then don’t miss her latest effort, Flavors of Entanglement. Underneath her familiar stream of consciousness style and the Yoda-like syntax lies a talented pop songwriter. This 11-song collection of electronic pop rock definitely includes some noise, but nothing that’s a complete blank-out and several tunes are among her best yet. Anyone taming the beast of codependency—or emerging from a breakup—will relate to her simple anthem “Not as We” and “Moratorium” taps the same self-aware spirit of independence. Songs on the lilting Flavors of Entanglement, a phrase from “Moratorium,” generally rock and roll, neither blasting nor sleepwalking. Expect some mildly induced distortion on various tracks, usually worth the insights young Miss Morissette makes in melody. There’s a light, clean slate sensibility like that of a California newcomer throughout the recording—“Giggling Again for No Reason” comes to mind—and the best song, the rising, thoughtfully written “In Praise of the Vulnerable Man,” with perfect phrasing and arrangements, sweetens everything embittered about her previous work. A fine piece of enlightened pop music.
