The Storm Before The Calm

Such Pretty Forks in the Road found Alanis Morissette sweetly drifting toward the shimmering vistas of new age, so its not quite a surprise that shes followed the album with an explicit exercise in meditation music; thats where her heart already lay. Spirituality and healing have been at the core of Morissettes music since Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie -- its also arguable that the key to Jagged Little Pill is that it chronicles a struggle for emotional growth -- so having Morissette create a lengthy guided meditation feels natural. Working with producer Dave Harrington, best known as half of the electronic music duo Darkside, Morissette does craft The Storm Before the Calm as a voyage, one that moves slowly through shifting atmospheres but one that doesnt deny moments of distress, either: toward the end of the record, "Mania -- Resting in the Fire" provides a cacophonic catharsis. Most of the album isnt nearly as forceful. Its gentle and insistent, music that encourages relaxation and focus, music designed to lighten stress, and its quite successful at that. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine