• Record Label: Maverick
  • Release Date: May 18, 2004
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 59
  2. Negative: 4 out of 59

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  1. KatieP
    May 19, 2004
    10
    It's a great CD for every Alanis fan. And even for those who aren't. She's fantastic, I love her.
  2. Mark
    May 27, 2004
    9
    It deserves to be a word-of-mouth smash like her first disc- Jagged Little Pill. Rock, pop, folk- it's just catchy. She continues to grow as an artist and I appreciate that.
  3. DannyK.
    May 19, 2004
    10
    Alanis' latest release, So-Called Chaos, is every thing you would expect from her. It's flashy enough,and keeps with 'crunch' style but it's so much more inspirational and meaningful than her previous work. There is alot more reflection happening here, and her lyrics have matured. It's easy listening and thought-provoking. A must-have for any Alanis fan, and Alanis' latest release, So-Called Chaos, is every thing you would expect from her. It's flashy enough,and keeps with 'crunch' style but it's so much more inspirational and meaningful than her previous work. There is alot more reflection happening here, and her lyrics have matured. It's easy listening and thought-provoking. A must-have for any Alanis fan, and a should-have for every one else! Expand
  4. BecksD
    May 21, 2004
    10
    What the hell were the critics listening to? Let's hope metacritic can find more than five reviews on this. The 57 rating doesn't make sense. It's a lyrically and musically genious record.
  5. DarrochC
    May 20, 2004
    10
    A fantastic blend of classic and free spirited Alanis.
  6. RonB
    May 20, 2004
    9
    Catchy rock beats with mid tempo single worthy material. Better then Under Rug Swept but falls short of Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie.
  7. Jameson
    May 24, 2004
    9
    compelling songwriting; impassioned performance.
  8. davidt
    May 25, 2004
    10
    her best work!!!
  9. pennyc
    Jun 9, 2004
    9
    Not my absolute favorite, but I'm still not sick of it, 3 weeks later! Excellent- I was expecting less.
  10. GotaLinder
    Jul 26, 2004
    10
    This album sucks big time. Alanis rocks.
  11. slobodan
    Sep 10, 2005
    8
    pretty nice, she knows for better
  12. LuisG
    May 24, 2006
    7
    ....where alanis is heading is unclear but where she is coming from is album upon album of angst, doudt and non-traditional sonwriting which sets her apart from may pop artists...she reigned once in pop superstardom and now its time to make music for all the right reasons to express herself and vent out like we seldomly do...alanis is anapologetic , original and at times self loathing but ....where alanis is heading is unclear but where she is coming from is album upon album of angst, doudt and non-traditional sonwriting which sets her apart from may pop artists...she reigned once in pop superstardom and now its time to make music for all the right reasons to express herself and vent out like we seldomly do...alanis is anapologetic , original and at times self loathing but that is what makes her an amazing singer/songwriter like her mates fiona apple., beck, tori amos , and bjork they stand alone making not music for the masses but for those seeking in all ecletic and journal entries brought to life musical poetry you either love it or hate...so-called chaos in itself is a safe album with pleantly of radio friendly singles.....not what jlp was nor as bold as junkie or even as retrospective as under rug swept and feast on scraps...alanis is simply telling her story and does it a new new mellow way with less point the finger and more responsibilty in all alanis has once again made her contribution to self examaning and self worth...VIVA ALANIS !!!! Expand
  13. ixata
    Feb 26, 2007
    10
    her least interesting album, but still a great album, its just her least... the album starts with the fast-paced 8 easy steps, a really catchy and high energied performance. however, this song really doesnt give you what the whole album is about. this is followed by the mid-tempo, quite poppish Out Is Through. Listenable, but won't hook listeners. the 3rd track, Excuses, regains her least interesting album, but still a great album, its just her least... the album starts with the fast-paced 8 easy steps, a really catchy and high energied performance. however, this song really doesnt give you what the whole album is about. this is followed by the mid-tempo, quite poppish Out Is Through. Listenable, but won't hook listeners. the 3rd track, Excuses, regains energy with powerful choruses. the album slows down again with Doth I Protest Too Much. A slow but still good number. Then the album rises it agn(gosh!) with the really-not-rocky Knees Of My Bees. But very enjoyable. The Last Track, Everything, is the hit that will surely be repeated agn n agn. Expand
  14. DannyK.
    May 19, 2004
    10
    Alanis' latest release, So-Called Chaos, is every thing you would expect from her. It's flashy enough,and keeps with 'crunch' style but it's so much more inspirational and meaningful than her previous work. There is alot more reflection happening here, and her lyrics have matured. It's easy listening and thought-provoking. A must-have for any Alanis fan, and Alanis' latest release, So-Called Chaos, is every thing you would expect from her. It's flashy enough,and keeps with 'crunch' style but it's so much more inspirational and meaningful than her previous work. There is alot more reflection happening here, and her lyrics have matured. It's easy listening and thought-provoking. A must-have for any Alanis fan, and a should-have for every one else! Expand
  15. LaurenceH
    May 20, 2004
    8
    If 'Knees of my bees' don't become a single, I'm eating my shoes with ketchup. It's worth a lot, even though there is less vocal surprises in here. Some tracks fall flat like 'Spineless', but the spiritual ambiance like in 'Everything' is totally excellent.
  16. VeronicaO
    May 23, 2004
    10
    I love this record. She has many music influences in the record and to finally see her happy and in love is refreshing.
  17. travisg
    May 24, 2004
    10
    great cd!
  18. MarkF
    Jun 18, 2004
    9
    This is her best album -- even better than her classic debut, IMO. It is totally addicting. It took me a while to get into it -- I kept listening to a few tracks and then going to something else. But once I let myself listen a few times, I started becoming addicted. Excellent album. Please give it a chance.
  19. DineshP
    Jul 12, 2006
    10
    Im sorry. I cant help it. im such a fan of her music. to me she can not commit a musical sin.
  20. LisaC
    May 19, 2004
    9
    Lovely melodies, quirky lyrics and an incredible voice.
  21. vo
    May 19, 2004
    10
    Fuck the critics. This CD rocks! It's the best CD she has put out in a long time. ALANIS ROCKS!
  22. jimmiej
    May 19, 2004
    9
    this better than most of the cd´s out there
  23. KatieU
    May 24, 2004
    8
    Alanis fans will definitely like it. Some interesting new musical turns here. It's not immediately addictive, but it grows on you fast. I like "Eight Easy Steps" "Knees of My Bees", "So Called Chaos" and "Everything" best. See what you think...
  24. JaneH
    May 25, 2004
    10
    I love the catchy music in So-Called Chaos. Combined with Alanis' introspective and thoughtful lyrics, it's definitely something worth chewing through.
  25. LunarN
    Jun 11, 2004
    9
    Alanis doesn't have 15 music producers working behind the scenes to make sure she gets hits on the radio; this music is coming from her, and that makes every track seem more impressive. Alanis's voice is as beautiful yet unique as ever, and fans from her past will remains fans here. Each album seems a journal of her current life and allows the listener to relate to her own tales Alanis doesn't have 15 music producers working behind the scenes to make sure she gets hits on the radio; this music is coming from her, and that makes every track seem more impressive. Alanis's voice is as beautiful yet unique as ever, and fans from her past will remains fans here. Each album seems a journal of her current life and allows the listener to relate to her own tales of life. Many of the tracks have that haunting quality where you first find them good but passable, only to then find yourself humming their tunes and craving to listen to them more. Eventually, this turns into liking almost every song on the CD. A few tracks will remain listener dependent, being liked or dislike whether the consumer is able to relate to the lyrics or not. It's nice to see Alanis still in her happy place for the most part. Her songs are truly poetry put to catchy music. Expand
  26. ringostarky
    Feb 23, 2006
    10
    she rocks baby
  27. RuanH.
    Aug 12, 2007
    7
    One of the more enjoyable Alanis Morissette albums.
  28. Aug 23, 2013
    7
    It's a good album, but not a great album. The sound is more relaxed and radio friendly, but it misses some of the deep emotion that Alanis has. Still, there's plenty of appealing songs to choose from, such as "8 Easy Steps", "Excuses" and "Everything".
  29. Nov 22, 2021
    10
    It's so increadible how Alanis Morissette have managed to keeps such high standards thorughout her carreer
  30. Nov 24, 2021
    10
    Alanis Morissette delivers another great album with her amazing voice and smart lyrics
  31. Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Another great album by Alanis Morissette, even without any major single she still makes a great work here
  32. Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Alanis Morissette's lyrics here are as great as ever and so it is her voice
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. 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]
  2. By track three, something awful is apparent.
  3. It's brighter, denser, catchier than either of its immediate predecessors, and boasts her most assured singing yet.