Just how do you follow a worldwide smash? That's the difficult task that the likes of Def Leppard, U2, and Metallica have all had to answer to varying results, both creatively and commercially. In 1998, Canadian songstress Alanis Morissette found out what that was like, with her first album since the multi-million success of 'Jagged Little Pill'.
Reissued to celebrate its 25th anniversary, 'Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie' was the follow-up to what would go on to be one of the biggest selling albums of all time. Currently ranked at no. 13 on that exclusive list that includes AC/DC's 'Back in Black' and Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon', '1995's 'Jagged Little Pill' has now sold a whopping 33 million copies.
Given that, the 1998 follow-up is unsurprisingly less celebrated than its monolithic elder sister. More stripped back than its predecessor, 'Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie' eschewed the rock guitars and guest stars for something altogether more restrained. Recorded mostly by Morissette with producer Glen Ballard, the album slotted neatly into the late '90s with its minimalist, edgy production.
Partially inspired by a trip to India to the point where the original cover art (and the new reimagined version on this reissue) featured references to Buddhism, there's a thread running through the album, and musically, it's littered with eastern sounds. Where it begins on a decidedly bhangra beat, with the off-kilter groove of 'Front Row', the darkly atmospheric 'The Couch' also features Indian instruments, as does the Portishead-aping 'Can't Not'. Lyrically, the alt-rock dirge of 'Baba' also references that eastern retreat.
This was clearly no 'Jagged Little Pill' part two, however that can't have come to a surprise to anyone who heard lead single 'Thank U', which was released a fortnight before the album. Beautifully understated, it rolls along on a sampled beat and an unfussy piano motif, and features a relatively restrained Morissette vocal.
And it's that voice that shines throughout. The sonic landscape may have evolved, but Alanis is unmistakable, whether dark and brooding on 'Are You Still Mad', stripped bare on single 'That I Would Be Good', or achingly tender on 'One'.
Overall the album is much darker in tone, with the synthetic rhythms of 'Sympathetic Characters' revealing a Nine Inch Nails influence; the heavy groove of 'I Was Hoping' nodding to Bristol trip hop; angry, angsty Alanis returning on top 40 hit 'Joining You'; and is morose in mood on the closing, cello-led 'Your Congratulations'.
There are glimpses of sunshine however, such as on the bright acoustics of 'UR', and 'Unsent', and 'So Pure' - whose lyrics give the album its title - which is unabashed glorious pop perfection.
Suffering the fate of similar albums released in that period that strived to make the most of the CD format's maximum 77 minutes, at seventeen tracks and with a runtime of 72 minutes, it is perhaps a little overlong, and the likes of 'Would Not Come' could have been relegated to a bonus track.
Coming as a two-lp set in both black and limited edition ultra clear vinyl, the 'Thank U Edition' is a beautifully presented set featuring newly expanded artwork. There's also a digital deluxe edition with rare bonus tracks plus a brand new remix of City of Angels soundtrack song 'Uninvited' by electronic duo Freemasons.
Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (Thank U Edition)' is available now. Order here.
Given that, the 1998 follow-up is unsurprisingly less celebrated than its monolithic elder sister. More stripped back than its predecessor, 'Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie' eschewed the rock guitars and guest stars for something altogether more restrained. Recorded mostly by Morissette with producer Glen Ballard, the album slotted neatly into the late '90s with its minimalist, edgy production.
Partially inspired by a trip to India to the point where the original cover art (and the new reimagined version on this reissue) featured references to Buddhism, there's a thread running through the album, and musically, it's littered with eastern sounds. Where it begins on a decidedly bhangra beat, with the off-kilter groove of 'Front Row', the darkly atmospheric 'The Couch' also features Indian instruments, as does the Portishead-aping 'Can't Not'. Lyrically, the alt-rock dirge of 'Baba' also references that eastern retreat.
This was clearly no 'Jagged Little Pill' part two, however that can't have come to a surprise to anyone who heard lead single 'Thank U', which was released a fortnight before the album. Beautifully understated, it rolls along on a sampled beat and an unfussy piano motif, and features a relatively restrained Morissette vocal.
And it's that voice that shines throughout. The sonic landscape may have evolved, but Alanis is unmistakable, whether dark and brooding on 'Are You Still Mad', stripped bare on single 'That I Would Be Good', or achingly tender on 'One'.
Overall the album is much darker in tone, with the synthetic rhythms of 'Sympathetic Characters' revealing a Nine Inch Nails influence; the heavy groove of 'I Was Hoping' nodding to Bristol trip hop; angry, angsty Alanis returning on top 40 hit 'Joining You'; and is morose in mood on the closing, cello-led 'Your Congratulations'.
There are glimpses of sunshine however, such as on the bright acoustics of 'UR', and 'Unsent', and 'So Pure' - whose lyrics give the album its title - which is unabashed glorious pop perfection.
Suffering the fate of similar albums released in that period that strived to make the most of the CD format's maximum 77 minutes, at seventeen tracks and with a runtime of 72 minutes, it is perhaps a little overlong, and the likes of 'Would Not Come' could have been relegated to a bonus track.
Coming as a two-lp set in both black and limited edition ultra clear vinyl, the 'Thank U Edition' is a beautifully presented set featuring newly expanded artwork. There's also a digital deluxe edition with rare bonus tracks plus a brand new remix of City of Angels soundtrack song 'Uninvited' by electronic duo Freemasons.
Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (Thank U Edition)' is available now. Order here.