So-Called Chaos
by Alanis Morissette
  • Record Label: Maverick
  • Release Date: May 18, 2004
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. AllMusic
    80
    It's brighter, denser, catchier than either of its immediate predecessors, and boasts her most assured singing yet.
  2. Dot Music
    80
    While there's nothing as irresistibly catchy as "Under Rug Swept"'s magnificent "Hands Clean", the overall impression, musically speaking, is one of freshness, optimism and energy. But better still, it's smart, and sussed, and frequently funny as hell.
  3. Spin
    75
    Sonically, Morissette has hit a peak. [Jun 2004, p.109]
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  5. Los Angeles Times
    75
    She isn't exploring new emotional ground, but her personal delivery and self-deprecating tone still go a long way.
  6. Billboard
    70
    While more musically complex than previous set "Under Rug Swept," "Chaos" has less experimentation and fewer vocal intricacies.
  7. E! Online
    67
    Yes, she still has an interesting voice that's beautiful and quirky at the same time, but there's so much here to sift through and nothing much that immediately grabs you.
  8. Q Magazine
    60
    It's too wordy by half, but underneath the psychobabble lies the most solid collection of AOR you're likely to encounter this year. [Jun 2004, p.105]
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  9. The Guardian
    60
    So in effect it's business as usual, down to the crunchy (and pretty good) arena-rock that counterpoints the lyrics.
  10. Blender
    60
    Her signature sound -- voice snarling through a tangle of massed guitars -- is here, but so is a softer, more vulnerable tone. The melodies, while radio-ready, have a stomping insistence.
  11. Entertainment Weekly
    58
    Once more, her songs become little more than cloying ruminations or sarcastic harangues aimed at those who want to squash her individuality. [28 May 2004, p.121]
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  12. The New York Times
    50
    The music rings proudly, but the narcissism is suffocating.
  13. PopMatters
    40
    One can only take so much well-adjustment before one gets sick of the instrumental and vocal sappiness and moves onto greener, more tormented pastures.
  14. Rolling Stone
    40
    How can Morrissette expect her introspection to be taken seriously when her songs sound like vintage Bryan Adams? [10 Jun 2004, p.91]
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  15. Stylus Magazine
    20
    By track three, something awful is apparent.
  16. Mojo
    20
    She's lost track of almost everything that made her music marvellous. [Jun 2004, p.101]
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Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Most Discussed Album of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 59
  3. Negative: 4 out of 59
  1. someonewhocares
    Jul 23, 2022
    5
    A bit more of Under Rug Swept; it's almost like a boring sequel, because it is.
  2. brubruzinha
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Alanis Morissette's lyrics here are as great as ever and so it is her voice
  3. EstellaKimberly
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Another great album by Alanis Morissette, even without any major single she still makes a great work here
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