Under Rug Swept - Alanis Morissette
User Score
8.8 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 45 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 45
  3. Negative: 1 out of 45

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  1. ixat
    Feb 26, 2007
    10
    upon first listen, most listeners may thnk that this album.. well.. kinda sucks... honestly, i did thnk of it that way.. i almost felt regretful of buyin this album and wanted to omit Alanis from my 'top 5 favorite artist list'.. but i listened to it the 2nd time, with an headphone with great sound system(:p), laying on my bed.... it's brilliant. the opening track, 21 Things I Want In A Lover, isa catchy tune that really gives you what the whole album is about... this is followed by Narcissus, a kinda odd number for Alanis, very pop, but still good. then comes the 3rd track, Hands Clean, the hit. Hands Clean doesn't sound very rock-ish, but very enjoyable and catchy, and when you go down beneath the surface, you'll find that this song is more than just a catchy tune. Another recommended track, Surrendering, is quite dancy. great! While the last song, Utopia, is a very sensitive, moody yet catchy tune.. A Man may sound trashy at first listen, but is actually one of the best tracks. Very dark, yet powerful. A highly recommended album.… Expand
  2. slobodan
    Sep 10, 2005
    9
    better than the next she made.
  3. RandyB
    Jul 7, 2006
    10
    A couple of her phrasings could have been better handled, but overall, UNDER RUG SWEPT is a gorgeous exploration of the woman's psyche. It's a wonderfully melodic blend of some of JAGGED's angst and SUPPOSED FORMER's clam introspection, but at the same time something all it's own, and without any of the screeching that may have put people off about those first two outings. It's not the one people are going to remember first, because she'll never top JAGGED LITTLE PILL's enormity, but it's her best.… Expand
  4. DrewK.
    Feb 23, 2002
    10
    Alanis reinvents herself yet again in this highly awaited album. This may be some of the best work in her career... Standout tracks: "Flinch," a song about being haunted by a past relationship; "So Unsexy," a track about how someone can make you feel hoe you aren't; "Narcissus," an upbeat song about a man she can't love.
  5. brandontoronto
    Feb 26, 2002
    10
    i am going to buy her new cd today! she is a great artist ..one Canada should be very proud of! she is right up there with the talent of modern music
  6. JoeyA.
    Mar 5, 2002
    10
    This album is amazing. Fun to listen to over and over again.
  7. darrenz
    Apr 14, 2002
    10
    this album really shows alanis' writing abilities at their best. she takes all creative credits for this album and it becomes pretty obvious after a first listen that she can do it! i'm in awe again and again, listening to the album repeatedly. such a variety of songs. i truly love and recommend it.
  8. [Anonymous]
    Apr 14, 2002
    10
    Wow!
  9. Janie
    Apr 14, 2002
    10
    SFIJ was better, but this one's still awesome.
  10. ArizonaDream
    Mar 21, 2002
    10
    Her best album yet!
  11. CedrusL.
    Apr 14, 2002
    10
    Like its two predecessors, Under Rug Swept is a masterpiece. Alanis manages to write music in a way different from anything that I've ever heard, and that's quite worthy. And saying this is just not to mention the endless list of why this album shall become a classic.
  12. ScottL.
    Apr 14, 2002
    10
    Her best work yet!
  13. HugoK
    Apr 14, 2002
    10
    This album rocks. It's one those records that are okay at first listen but the damn songs stay with you the whole day. Second time around it's just simply sublime. Third time, you can't take it out of your player. Fourth time, why listen to anything else! Love.
  14. seanhmmmm
    Apr 14, 2002
    10
    anyone who has any sense of good music should purchase this album simply because it is alanis at her best.
  15. diegor
    Jan 9, 2004
    9
    good
  16. AnonymousMC
    Feb 22, 2002
    10
    Excellent; I don't see why people hate this album so much. It is a beautiful piece of work.
  17. BartM.
    Apr 13, 2002
    10
    The negative critics are really criticizing half the world?s population in rejecting women?s life/perspective. Morissette is the most unique at revealing personal and relationship issues. Critics ranting on her style dodge the real weighty subject of what she?s saying. I believe men need to get pass what they think ?You Oughta Know? is about and understand all woman better through this Artist.
  18. MarioE.
    Apr 14, 2002
    10
    Great music!
  19. ChelseyM.
    Apr 14, 2002
    10
    Brilliant lyrics as always...thanks alanis for yet another great album
  20. StacyA
    Apr 14, 2002
    10
    Alanis is the most open artist ever who is not afraid of the public and their comments. Anyone who knows her talent, would realize that.
  21. JorgeM
    Apr 11, 2004
    10
    enlightening.
  22. LuisG
    Dec 17, 2005
    10
    ....Alanis fell right though the cracks after JLP and has evolved gracefully into full singer/songwriter realm with honest,moving and extremely poetic lyrics that might not fit well playing in a club but are little rooms of wisdom and self improving...so what if shes sad, insecure or angry we all fall under that category and alanis embraces that full range with guitar riffs and electic production UNDER RUG SWPEt gave me wings after a failed realtionship it felt nice to know i was not alone in feeling UNSEXY, and it was ok if i FLINCHed when i saw my ex love, and truth was told in HANDS CLEAN and THAT PARTICULAR TIME i was willing to sacrifice it all and SURRENDERING was all but necessary and iam A MAN and i too wish for an UTOPIA… Expand
  23. VeronicaV
    Nov 17, 2006
    9
    To Chris L: Alanis Morissette is the epitome of those "other artists out there." the fast that you think you can compare her to the typical overated musicians who all sound the same [avril, michelle branch, vanessa carlton--all of whom can be quite good at times] is ridiculous. love alanis, great albulm
  24. gagaforever
    Sep 21, 2010
    10
    An amazing album. At first I didn't like it but with a third listen...I was taken by the lyrics and the songs. "Hands Clean" is the best track ont he album
  25. miss_unafraid
    Apr 7, 2011
    9
    I've always felt that Alanis Morissette took herself too serious, like she wanted to prove something to the audience, to be more than she actually was. I was never a fan before, although I liked and appreciated some of her songs. But I love this album, it's less rigid and it gives me a positive energy. I love the singles, the song that opens the album ("21 Things...") is amazing and contagious, "Flinch" is brilliant. The more I listen to Under Rug Swept, the more I like it. Every song is a grower!… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 20
  3. Negative: 4 out of 20
  1. E! Online
    67
    Her stream-of-conscious lyrics about self-esteem and troubled relationships are just more of the same medicine that went down better with 1995's Jagged Little Pill.
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  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    40
    Morissette seems unwilling to step into unfamiliar territory.
    Read full review
  3. Billboard
    90
    Although 2002 is still young, consider Under Rug Swept one of the year's best.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »