• 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. Jul 23, 2022
    5
    A bit more of Under Rug Swept; it's almost like a boring sequel, because it is.
  2. Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Alanis Morissette's lyrics here are as great as ever and so it is her voice
  3. Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Another great album by Alanis Morissette, even without any major single she still makes a great work here
  4. Nov 24, 2021
    10
    Alanis Morissette delivers another great album with her amazing voice and smart lyrics
  5. Nov 22, 2021
    10
    It's so increadible how Alanis Morissette have managed to keeps such high standards thorughout her carreer
  6. Oct 24, 2017
    6
    Infelizmente esse CD foi desapontador. Alanis veio decaindo, o problema é que o próximo de 2008 conseguiu ser pior que esse. Felizmente em 2012 ela fez um melhor que superou todos esses da década de 2000.
  7. Feb 17, 2015
    4
    After its peak in Jagged little pill and Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie and Under Rug Swept, we expected that alanis continue further evolving in their next releases. What definitely did not happen! So-Called Chaos is a tacky disaster. Consists of ten songs Avril Lavigne standard pop / rock extremely boring, Alanis presents no novelty compared to their previous albums .The same themes,After its peak in Jagged little pill and Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie and Under Rug Swept, we expected that alanis continue further evolving in their next releases. What definitely did not happen! So-Called Chaos is a tacky disaster. Consists of ten songs Avril Lavigne standard pop / rock extremely boring, Alanis presents no novelty compared to their previous albums .The same themes, the same melodies pop / rock stressful and manufactured choruses that even worked in Under Rug Swept, but do not work aqui.So-Called Chaos is the worst album of alanis career and unsuccessful on the charts. Expand
  8. 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".
  9. RuanH.
    Aug 12, 2007
    7
    One of the more enjoyable Alanis Morissette albums.
  10. 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
  11. 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.
  12. izat-
    Jun 3, 2006
    5
    hmmm.... quite dissapointing but that much. i don't sense the anger in here, maybe cuz it's her 'love' album.. my favrites r 8 easy steps, excuses n everything... n ore more thing... she should've chose EXCUSES to be one of her single instead of Out Is Through...It may propel the album to sell at least five million copies... Ultimately, its her least best album...
  13. 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
  14. ringostarky
    Feb 23, 2006
    10
    she rocks baby
  15. slobodan
    Sep 10, 2005
    8
    pretty nice, she knows for better
  16. ABeck
    Jan 18, 2005
    5
    Thank you Jesus! Addicting is not a word. To those of you who believe it is, imagine if someone said to you, "You're very funning" or "I have a running nose". Wouldn't you want to smack to cute right out of them? Well, that's what "I have an addicting personality" or "It's very addicting" sounds like. The word is addictive, people. Addicting is a present tense verb, Thank you Jesus! Addicting is not a word. To those of you who believe it is, imagine if someone said to you, "You're very funning" or "I have a running nose". Wouldn't you want to smack to cute right out of them? Well, that's what "I have an addicting personality" or "It's very addicting" sounds like. The word is addictive, people. Addicting is a present tense verb, not an adjective. Expand
  17. GotaLinder
    Jul 26, 2004
    10
    This album sucks big time. Alanis rocks.
  18. jesusjones
    Jul 8, 2004
    5
    this, like most new music, is pretty lame. its just too trendy now to be mediocre, no offense to her of course - but she just doesn't have it anymore. i have a message for Mark F., who wrote a review for this album as well - addicting is not a word!!! please stop using it people!!! addictive is the word - addictive - say it with me now - addictive!!! this is what happens when an this, like most new music, is pretty lame. its just too trendy now to be mediocre, no offense to her of course - but she just doesn't have it anymore. i have a message for Mark F., who wrote a review for this album as well - addicting is not a word!!! please stop using it people!!! addictive is the word - addictive - say it with me now - addictive!!! this is what happens when an illiterate chimp runs the country i guess. Expand
  19. 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.
  20. 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
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. JoeW
    May 26, 2004
    3
    Her worst album yet. The music pretty good, but much of it, both musically and lyrically is a rehash of Under Rug Swept, almost to the point of cover songs ("Excuses" is a lyrical rehash of "Precious Illusions", "Bees of My Knees" is a music rehash of that same song.) It's all so recyled. The only progress seems to be that she cranks up the narcissism to an unbearable degree Her worst album yet. The music pretty good, but much of it, both musically and lyrically is a rehash of Under Rug Swept, almost to the point of cover songs ("Excuses" is a lyrical rehash of "Precious Illusions", "Bees of My Knees" is a music rehash of that same song.) It's all so recyled. The only progress seems to be that she cranks up the narcissism to an unbearable degree culminating in the unbearable "Everything" - a quagmire of "I, I, I," and "Me, Me, Me,". Alanis! Nobody, not even you darlin', are that interesting. Expand
  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. davidt
    May 25, 2004
    10
    her best work!!!
  26. Jameson
    May 24, 2004
    9
    compelling songwriting; impassioned performance.
  27. travisg
    May 24, 2004
    10
    great cd!
  28. 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...
  29. 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.
  30. ChandaP
    May 22, 2004
    5
    This album has some interesting moments, and Alanis has clearly worked on her voice. It's nice to hear she's happy, but she lacks the interesting instrumental choices that she made on Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. I'm glad to know that she's still at it, but now that she's happy, I hope she can channel that into trying to be more creative next time around.
  31. 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.
  32. 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.
  33. DarrochC
    May 20, 2004
    10
    A fantastic blend of classic and free spirited Alanis.
  34. 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.
  35. jimmiej
    May 19, 2004
    9
    this better than most of the cd´s out there
  36. 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!
  37. LisaC
    May 19, 2004
    9
    Lovely melodies, quirky lyrics and an incredible voice.
  38. 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
  39. 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
  40. BrentH.
    May 19, 2004
    6
    Easy to listen to but not always interesting to listen to. The major difference this time out is a kinder, gentler, less self-absorbed Alanis.
  41. 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.
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.