Such Pretty Forks in the Road
by Alanis Morissette
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 83 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 74 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 83
  3. Negative: 5 out of 83
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  1. ddomiciano
    Aug 3, 2020
    10
    Amazing vocals, great lyrics and production make this one of Her best! Loved it.
  2. Josieswussykatz
    Aug 1, 2020
    9
    Such pretty forks in the road is such a turn for Alanis. Beautiful, bitter & honest. The album doesn’t try to be edgy just the same as her more prevalent works yet it still has some of that natural grit all mixed with maturity.
  3. justinsandbox
    Aug 18, 2020
    10
    Alanis Morissette has delivered her best album since 1998's Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. The album is a gift and Godsend to anyone battling depression. The highlight is Sandbox Love which is an ode to having sex for the first time with your soulmate. Also notable is the album closer Pedestal.
  4. Efusinato
    Aug 1, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Such Pretty Forks brings deepness and autobiographical aspect of Alanis, which is her mark. This album bring the pain, the pression of a mother, star and woman's life, and really marches the pandemic world we are living. The turmoil of emotions and feelings will touch you and approach your reality to hers.… Expand
  5. JaggedLittlePil
    Jul 31, 2020
    10
    What a wonderful album. After 8 years Alanis is finally back and damn if I missed her. The sound, so dark yet so hopeful, the astonishing lyrics... Alanis talks to us as a mother, as a singer, as a woman, as a person, with all her hopes and fears. 11 songs which are all highlights. Nemesis with its climax and its wonderful outro is surely one of her best songs ever. Thank God she's back.
  6. Manuel14
    Jul 31, 2020
    10
    Un album tan hermoso Alanis vuelve despues de tantos años y nos da una joya de album este es una biblia para la musica alternativa y uno de los mejores trabajos de Alanis
  7. Samarqand
    Jul 31, 2020
    10
    Alanis Morissette helped set the stage for all those female singer-songwriters that have become powerhouses since the 1990s. With Jagged Little Pill, Alanis produced what remains one of the greatest albums of all time. Her successive album, the amazing Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, was radically different; dense; often without clear choruses; like a diary in musical form. FollowingAlanis Morissette helped set the stage for all those female singer-songwriters that have become powerhouses since the 1990s. With Jagged Little Pill, Alanis produced what remains one of the greatest albums of all time. Her successive album, the amazing Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, was radically different; dense; often without clear choruses; like a diary in musical form. Following that came a series of forgetable material. Her relevance seemed relegated to being one of the best-selling female artists ever - and a staple of the 1990s.

    However, Such Pretty Forks in the Road is a beautiful return to form. It is a blend of Jagged Little Pill and SFIJ; it is a more matured, adult Alanis speaking to those same feelings expressed in those albums from the view of a person who has aged substantially, and learned - and finally was able to formulate this more adult self into a gorgeous album that sometimes winks at longtime Alanis fans (at least two small allusions to her song w/ Dave Matthews, Spoon). It is a truly great album, aided heavily by a deeply orchestral music setting - with a prominent piano (an allusion, perhaps, to her early influencer Tori Amos).

    Anyone who grew up on Jagged Little Pill - and anyone who loved SFIJ - needs this album. It's a gem.    … Expand
  8. mrmiguelin
    Jul 31, 2020
    10
    Después de 8 años, Alanis Morissette vuelve con su noveno álbum y uno de sus mejores proyectos desde "Jagged Little Pill". Muy buen álbum.
  9. RuanBorges
    Jul 31, 2020
    10
    Alanis is back and letting us know! A beautiful album, with lyrics that again place us within the personal universe of this international music legend, but still we managed to relate to the vulnerability of her stories and vocals.
  10. musicalmarvell
    Jul 31, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. "And I keep on smiling..." Alanis Morrisette's newest LP after 8 years titled, "Such Pretty Forks in the Road" is incredibly awe-inspiring. The lyrics are meaningful, the emotion in every song is honest & raw, and the overall sound of the album is comforting to any & all moods.

    The first half of the album starts off pretty well. "Smiling" gives us a chilling rock vibe, while "Diagnosis" showcases its beautiful emotion. "Reasons I Drink" is also a top highlight. But the second half is where I truly became mesmerized. "Her" & "Nemesis" are, in my opinion, two of Alanis' best songs ever written. I also completely fell in love with "Losing the Plot" & "Sandbox Love". And that final song, "Pedestal". Incredible. Especially with those final words: "I'm sure you've enjoyed the ride, who wouldn't?" I did, Alanis. I absolutely did.

    I can't exactly label "Such Pretty Forks in the Road" as the "Best Album of 2020", but I sure can name it as one of my favorite albums of the year. Thank you, Alanis, for blessing us with your beautiful voice during these horrible times.    … Expand
  11. IsadoraGitzy
    Jul 31, 2020
    10
    This album is magic. I've always appreciated a song from her here and there, this album is hot beginning to end. A little more AC than I usually like but the raw emotion is overwhelmingly good. I think she could benefit from a producer who reins in all the words but, really, who the hell is gonna tell Alanis to cut a verse, a sentence or even a word. 10/10
  12. jefersonhaas
    Jul 31, 2020
    10
    What an amazing return. So touching, so good! Best album since Under Rug Swept. Love it! Can't wait for the unreleased tracks (Rest, Legacy and Predator).
  13. jlacosta
    Jul 31, 2020
    9
    This new Alanis' album is a masterpiece, beautiful and surprising. I loved it!
  14. boyettalyssa
    Aug 5, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I think the new album is great. Alanis Morissette is a great singer and she's good. She's one of my favorites and I'm her number one fan.… Expand
  15. George_Keen
    Aug 4, 2020
    9
    Alanis morissette's comeback since her 2012 album "Havoc And Bright Lights" , She gets so emotional and she opens up about what she was dealing after her pregnancy but it is not entirely deep and the anger in it seems so limited but she knows how to handle it with raw vocals and her peculiar style of writing songs , although a taste of difference is included; All of this gives a decent andAlanis morissette's comeback since her 2012 album "Havoc And Bright Lights" , She gets so emotional and she opens up about what she was dealing after her pregnancy but it is not entirely deep and the anger in it seems so limited but she knows how to handle it with raw vocals and her peculiar style of writing songs , although a taste of difference is included; All of this gives a decent and worth listening emotional album… Expand
  16. Jboicourt1
    Aug 5, 2020
    10
    Turning to her true roots, Alanis digs deep for yet another deeply personal album that is both necessary and impactful.
  17. Dave74
    Aug 7, 2020
    8
    As a long term fan I wasn’t instantly won over. However, her distinct phrasing and songwriting has convinced me. If you love Alanis, love reflection, love wordy-music then you will enjoy. Losing the Plot is a highlight of the album. Driven by an 80’s-esq piano mix, and layered with strong drums it offers something a little different for Morissette, whist lyrically delivers what fansAs a long term fan I wasn’t instantly won over. However, her distinct phrasing and songwriting has convinced me. If you love Alanis, love reflection, love wordy-music then you will enjoy. Losing the Plot is a highlight of the album. Driven by an 80’s-esq piano mix, and layered with strong drums it offers something a little different for Morissette, whist lyrically delivers what fans expect, self-reflection. The lead single Reasons I Drink continues to grow in appeal despite it being released last year.
    If you’ve ever appreciated an Alanis album, give this a few spins and you will find you too will come to love it.    … Expand
  18. Sjoerdmusic
    Aug 9, 2020
    7
    Very vulnerable, which combined with Morissette's vocals creates a believable album. Gets repetitive in the end. A lot of songs sound the same
  19. hchow
    Aug 15, 2020
    10
    Alanis Morissette has released yet another well-crafted album, which is arguably her most personal album.

    On this album, Morissette panders not life's biggest philosophical decisions as she did on tracks such as "Thank U", but multiple deep, personal issues that are just as relatable. There's "Diagnosis", an extremely raw and emotional stripped-down track that addresses the realities of    Alanis Morissette has released yet another well-crafted album, which is arguably her most personal album.

    On this album, Morissette panders not life's biggest philosophical decisions as she did on tracks such as "Thank U", but multiple deep, personal issues that are just as relatable. There's "Diagnosis", an extremely raw and emotional stripped-down track that addresses the realities of depression, "Reasons To Drink", an expressive tune about her relationship with alcohol, food, and other addictive substances, played with an addictive piano backing.

    The biggest-selling female rock artist of all-time has always been a feminist, and she has given us songs that tackle female-specific experiences such as "Sister Blister" and "Hands Clean" before. This record is not an exception. There's the stunning "Reckoning", carefully produced to create an atmosphere, about sexual assaults, a better version of "Predator" which she wrote for her Jaggged Little Pill musical, as well as "No", a part of the musical but initially a bonus track off Under Rug Swept. There's "Her", a groundbreaking anthem about praying to a maternal god, a sentiment felt by the indigenous peoples of many parts of the world over the last millennia. And there's "Smiling", a work of art also featured in her musical, about the need for women everywhere to put on a smile despite all the suffering in their lives.

    As is the case with almost anyone else, the LP contains music that addresses personal relationships. Such as "Losing the Plot", "Missing the Miracle", and of course the standout "Pedestral", which referenced the people who used her name for their own benefits.

    The record wasn't all anger and sadness, however. The current single, "Ablaze", with its viral videos is an anthem for mothers everywhere who would profess their love and worries for their children. But it is as universal as it is personal, referencing her personal circumstances as well as her thoughts and feelings for her very real, living and breathing children.

    A new album after 8 years, and the pop-rocker did not disappoint.    … Expand
  20. Boomd77
    Aug 19, 2020
    9
    If you take the time, really take the time, the expertly crafted singer songwriter tells you a story that sticks with you. It's worth the investment.
  21. biabe
    Aug 31, 2020
    10
    Couldn't expect less. She's incredibly talented with words and able to describe her feelings in a very specific and INTENSE way
  22. clarinhaaa
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    I love this album, Alanis Morissette is such a unic singer and this album shows that
  23. RoxanneKimberly
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    After many many years, Alanis Morissette shows she still got it, here voice is amazing as always and the lyrics great as well
  24. EstellaKimberly
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    After so many years of waiting, Alanis Morissette delivers her best album in a while, great songs here!
  25. brubruzinha
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Such pretty forks in the road is another amazing album by the great Alanis Morissette
  26. someonewhocares
    Jul 8, 2022
    8
    After eight years, Morrissette delivers some of her best lyrical and vocal content in over two decades, with some songs being purely essential to her catalogue. Some memorable, some aren't, but Such Pretty Forks In The Road is an album that'll go down in history as the music for housewives who feel lost in their family lives, and need some emotional comfort to get through the tough times.

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Pitchfork
    Aug 6, 2020
    65
    By Morissette’s standards, Pretty Forks is a vulnerable, sedate, ballad-heavy album. Most of those ballads are unobtrusive, with songwriting-template piano and strings plush and regular as amphitheater seats.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    Aug 6, 2020
    60
    Such Pretty Forks In The Road simmers, never boils.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    Aug 5, 2020
    80
    Throughout the album, Morissette crafts a raw, often uncomfortable, narrative. In the portrayal of imperfection, Such Pretty Forks in the Road creates space to encounter profound disquietude.
    Read full review
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