10 Responses to “Agree to Disagree”  

1. 1 Kel on Jun 9th, 2008 said:

   hehehe … more proof that many music critics solely read the titles of songs and listen to a select few tracks.

   Fantastic album. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed Alanis more when she examines her relationships rather than rages at them. This track and “Incomplete” are highlights.

   Even “Jagged Little Pill” didn’t rage like “You Oughta Know” despite containing it. “Hand in my Pocket”? “Ironic”? “Head Over Feet”? Why do people think Alanis was only angry when she hit it big?

2. 2 cb on Jun 9th, 2008 said:

   So which is it? upbeat or sad?

   Lord knows I love me some Alanis. And yeah I’ll buy this album. But this particular song sounds an awful lot like a couple of her previous songs (the names of which escape me). Same slow beat and build in intensity.

3. 3 bstewart23 on Jun 9th, 2008 said:

   On first listen — or the first several listens — the album does seem… familiar. But around Listen Six, with headphones on the balcony sipping a second Frozen Penis Kwellada — Pina Colada for nonpervs — the subtleties emerge and… I like it. I like it almost as much as SFIJ. The music has a 3-dimensionality not really present in recent albums. I’m almost embarrassed to admit how strongly her lyrics touch me. I want her to be my girlfriend.

   The problem will be that I also want Ryan Reynolds to be my boyfriend and you can guess how well that’ll turn out.

4. 4 Kel on Jun 9th, 2008 said:

   Parts are upbeat, parts are sad, parts are angry, parts are contemplative, parts are silly, parts are introspective …

   But what I love about Alanis … the styles are all over the place but it’s all *postitive* underneath …

   I’d say it’s also her biggest departure sylistically since SFIJ (Yes, the linked song above isn’t the best example of that). I’m sure Guy Sigsworth was a big part of that, but it works very well.

   WohoO! Lookin’ forward to hearing the bonus disc with the 5 bonus tracks …

5. 5 bstewart23 on Jun 9th, 2008 said:

   You really have to listen to “Citizen of the Planet” with good speakers (or headphones) for maximum enjoyment, I think, Kel. The BWOW of the tabla and frenetic strings just don’t come through adequately on the YouTube clip.

   And you’re right about Sigsworth’s influence. It’s… I dunno, more spare and yet more lush, simultaneously. More interesting.

6. 6 Sean on Jun 9th, 2008 said:

   It’s seriously refreshing to hear this new material. I thought she’d really worked herself into a corner with her last album, but this song and “Underneath” have really made me do a double take. More power to her. I’ll be buying this record tomorrow.

   P.S. Am I in the company of SFIJ fans? I’ve always thought that album was hot shit and never found anyone who echoed that opinion. Alanis herself is calling SFIJ “indulgent” in recent interviews, but I think that’s what I found endearing about it. “Unsent” still gets me every time.

7. 7 cb on Jun 10th, 2008 said:

   I like a lot of SFIJ- but it wasn’t my favorite of hers. I still think JLP is a work of art, flawless from top to bottom.

   But I also like the one after Under Rug Swept…. whatever that one was.

8. 8 Kel on Jun 10th, 2008 said:

   Hey Brett! I see what you mean … Citizen is one of my favourite songs on the album, but also one of the more Alanis-y ones in my opinion. Reminds me of “Still” … less of a departure than other songs on the album, but still one of the best!

   I’m a big SFIJ fan .. it was the album that got in into Alanis. She may feel it was self indulgent, but that’s not a bad thing when you like Alanis’ music. Maybe it’s not as immediate as her first album, but I feel it’s more rewarding when you dig into it. Also, it has “The Couch” …

9. 9 cb on Jun 12th, 2008 said:

   Just bought “flavors”.

10. 10 Erik Rubright on Jun 12th, 2008 said:

    I’m torn between SFIJ and “Under Rug Swept” as my favorite “total” work of hers. All of her albums have had at least a few songs on it that I liked (with the exception of “Now is The Time”), so I’ll have to get this new album though and see how it “affects” me.

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