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Review of Alanis Morissette's "Supposed...Infatuation Junkie"

© Nick Bendel

Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998) by Alanis Morissette is her follow up to Jagged Little Pill (1995), also known as the biggest-selling album ever made by a female singer. This is a record that was heavily influenced by a six-week voyage she made to India in 1997, a trip that had a profound effect on her. Hence Morissette's summary of Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie: "The writing of this record was the most spiritual experience of my life."

This attitude is clearly revealed in "Thank U." "Thank you India/thank you terror/thank you disillusionment/thank you frailty/thank you consequence/thank you thank you silence." Also revealed here is the straightforward and rather mundane nature of her lyrics. This is in contrast to Jagged Little Pill where the words were anything but boring.

And, with few exceptions, the songs are uninteresting too. There are some moments on this album of course. For instance the guitar-heavy "Baba," the more docile "Thank U" and the atmospheric "The Couch." But these anomalies aside, the songs lack any kind of hook, not to mention an annoyingly persistent hip-hop beat. A lot more self-assured and unruffled than on her last album, perhaps this lack of turmoil is the reason why.

People who were won over by the quality of Jagged Little Pill will probably be disappointed by Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. The only continuing theme is the naked honesty of Morissette's lyrics (even if they are a bit dull), because certainly the new songs are not as well written as those that came before them. Considering the three-year gap between projects it's hard to think of a reason why.

RATING: 4.5/10