Under Rug Swept
by Alanis Morissette
  • Record Label: Maverick
  • Release Date: Feb 26, 2002
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 20
  3. Negative: 4 out of 20
  1. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    91
    Even when the forced pronunciations turn gauche, she remains a good egg who's not afraid to put herself on the line.
  2. Billboard
    90
    Although 2002 is still young, consider Under Rug Swept one of the year's best.
  3. Q Magazine
    80
    With its uncomfortable candour, Under Rug Swept is a serious business.
  5. AllMusic
    80
    The music flows, the production doesn't overplay its hand, it's pleasingly melodic, tempering tempers the extremities of Jagged Little Pill while retaining the character and, as such, it's easy to groove on the sound without listening to the words.
  6. L.A. Weekly
    80
    Under Rug Swept is Alanis Morissette in top form, exercising her God-given right to vent and sound beautiful doing so.
  7. Blender
    80
    Is Under Rug Swept as good as Jagged Little Pill? Ultimately, no. [Feb/Mar 2002, p.108]
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  8. Playlouder
    70
    The good news is that despite the excess verbiage (which at least is hardly a shock), this is a Good Album.
  9. Spin
    70
    The processed guitar-based tracks on Rug don't quite rollick or shimmer, but with Alanis it's the lyrics, not the music, that count. [Apr 2002, p.114]
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  10. Dot Music
    70
    Alanis is back on course and heading in the right direction.
  11. 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.

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed Album of 2002
48
#48 Most Shared Album of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 63 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 63
  3. Negative: 6 out of 63
  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 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.… Full Review »
  2. jorsian
    Mar 1, 2023
    7
    Alanis makes some striking and observant declarations about men on this album. She calls out narcissists and their flighty ways in a coupleAlanis makes some striking and observant declarations about men on this album. She calls out narcissists and their flighty ways in a couple songs that sound almost like list-form essays. This album feels almost like a cathartic release for Alanis as if there was an emotional burden that she carried around and built on through her past experiences with men. The themes are relatable and done justice in my opinion. There's also a very feminine and warrior-goddess like energy to Alanis here that is beautiful and powerful. She sounds strong, clear and forthright. As we move toward the back half the album the songs take on a different sound and approach. They sound more universal, almost anthemic and life affirming. I preferred the front half of the album as the sound is more accessible; the back half is chaotic by contrast but is not without its charms. To the untrained ear it could sound brash or clanky.… Full Review »
  3. ruanmetacritic
    Aug 16, 2022
    8
    Overproduced but the songs are well crafted and very beautiful. Would love a full acoustic version of this album with the original vocal cuts.
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