Jagged Little Pill Acoustic is a re-recorded studio album by Alanis Morissette. It is a largely acoustic retrospective version of her highly successful third album, Jagged Little Pill (1995); the songs are stripped-down versions of the originals, though producer Glen Ballard has augmented them with studio production effects to create an alternative pop album. The album was released by Maverick Records in the United States on June 13, 2005 (the 10th anniversary of the original album), available only at North American Starbucks outlets until July 26, 2005, when it was made available in other retail stores. This limited availability led to a dispute between Maverick Records and HMV Canada, who retaliated by removing from sale Morissette's other albums for the duration of Starbucks' exclusive month-long sale. The album's single in the U.S. was "Hand in My Pocket". The cover artwork is a sepia-toned tribute to the cover of the original Jagged Little Pill.
Reception
The release received mostly negative reviews from critics. The album scored 40/100 on Metacritic, indicating generally unfavorable reception.
Much of the criticism centered on the versions losing the original's raw energy and emotional intensity. Reviewers noted the acoustic versions were "blandly matured" and lacked the original album's "anger and angst". One critic described Mojo's assessment as "a second rate version of the original".
The re-recordings were criticized for softening rather than sharpening the originals' jagged edges. Entertainment Weekly wrote that the album was "pretty, but mostly free of innovation, softening rather than sharpening the originals' enjoyably jagged edges". NME remarked that the album "can't even make you feel angry; just desperately sad".https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-10-worst-rock-albums-this-century-according-to-everyone-else
Some critics questioned the commercial necessity of the release. Drowned in Sound called it "about as welcome as a bout of testicular cancer". MusicOMH noted "an element of sly marketing at play" while conceding the album's quality "cannot be underestimated".https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/alanis-morissette-jagged-little-pill-acoustic
Reviewers argued that stripping away the electrified sound was unnecessary given that MTV Unplugged (1999) had already featured prominent acoustic performances. Additionally, two tracks on the original 1995 album—"Perfect" and "Mary Jane"— were already acoustic to begin with.https://www.popmatters.com/morissettealanis-jagged2005-2496000761.html
Track listing
Personnel Alanis Morissette – lead vocals, harmonica David Levita – guitars, marxophone, perapaloshka, mandolin Blair Sinta – drums, percussion, maraca, cajon Zac Rae – pianoforte, keyboards, organ, pump organ Jason Orme – guitars Cedric Lemoyne – bass Glen Ballard – string arrangements Suzie Katayama – string arrangements, conductor Ralph Morrison – violin I Sara Parkins – violin II Roland Kato – viola Steve Erdody – cello Technical Glen Ballard – producer Bill Malina – mixing and recording
Charts Album
Chart (2005) Peakposition
Singles Year Title Chart positions CAN GER SPA ITA2004"Hand In My Pocket (Acoustic)"2358742
Certifications
References
External links