Like Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette is a Canadian treasure; a little edgy and raw, but projecting such a voice. I think most people who grew up in the 90's have at least one memory of Alanis Morissette. I still remember listening in disbelief to the story about Morissette's video "Thank U", where she stood naked on the street, when I was 11 from a friend in elementary school. It wasn't until later that I really listened to her music, heard "You Oughta Know", "Ironic", "Hand in My Pocket", and was captured immediately by the intensity of her voice and lyrics. Since her international debut Jagged Little Pill she has been an inseperable part of the Canadian, and International, musical landscape.

Although she was nominated for a Golden Globe, for her song "Wunderkind" on the Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack, and released a humorous rendition of "My Humps" on youtube, the last two years saw very little success commercially and artistically for Alanis. But, today we have before us her newest offering, Flavors of Entanglement.

A dip in artistry for some artists means the end, or an inevitable end, but for others it's part of the trajectory of their output and it enriches the depth of their history. Take for instance Bob Dylan; one can't ignore the mediocrity of his middle years, or his Christian/gospel fascination; one instead examines it in light of the greater achievements. Luckily, Alanis hasn't fluctuated that much in her career. I wouldn't even view the past few years as a slump; she has just been rather quiet. Her greatest songs were written in turmoil and have an incredible emotional resonance to them. When there is a rupture to her balance she uses music as her outlet. Until now I suppose things have been serene.

Flavors of Entanglement proves otherwise. Her recent split with fiance Ryan Reynolds must have provided some of the material and fuel for many of the songs on this album. Alanis has mentioned that the songs are current, rather than written after the fact, and in this they maintain a lot of the fire of the moment. Songs such as "Straitjacket", "Underneath", and "Versions of Violence" are the venom of the album. But the passion filters into the songs of fondness as well, "In Praise of the Vulnerable Man", "Torch", and "Giggle Again for No Reason".

The quality which makes the album memorable though is the collaboration with former Bjork producer and Frou Frou member Guy Sigsworth. In the first song "Citizen of the Planet", we are given a sonic legend for the rest of the album - the only thing left is to surprise us. Beautiful string arrangements and deeply rich textures create a formidable background for Alanis's voice. "Tapes", "Citizen of the Planet", "Giggle Again For No Reason" are the stand-out productions for me; subtle atmospheres, a catchy beat, and chorus's that unsettle conformity.

At times the album wanders into the pop territory that Alanis, although very good at, is too comfortable in. The great moments, and they are truly worthwhile, are the ventures into a more mature and experimental electronic/organic territory. Clearly she's not afraid to go in this direction.

The album is a very appreciated return to form. Alanis has the quality of being able to diagnose our conditions, and Flavors of Entanglement is a fine medicine.