Review by Anita Lande
Alanis Morissette, isn't exactly "the next big thing" as she was almost 8 years ago, but sometimes less pressure and scrutiny can produce more self-fulfilling results. Promoting her latest release Feast on Scraps Alanis breezed into the Chicago Theatre and took center stage in front of an anxious and hungry crowd.
Photos by Niva BringasIn hip hugging black leather pants, she led off the night with the slow and gradual "All I Really Want" from her breakthrough Jagged Little Pill while her trademark long, dark mane helped to lend body to her rather slight frame. Her glittery gold guitar and shiny harmonica sparkled as Alanis and her able band cruised along with the straight-forward rock numbers like, "Hands Clean," "Precious Illusions," "Hand in my Pocket" and the huge crowd pleaser "You Oughta Know."
The audience seemed slightly detached, but responsive, throughout the evening's performance. Has Alanis reached that transitory state between pop star du jour and county fair nostalgic act? She also hasn't toned down her performance, still roaming the stage from end to end like a rabbit in a shooting gallery. She did slow down at times perhaps reflecting the tone of some of her newer and slower material like "Twenty-one Things I Want in a Lover" and "Purgatorying."
Morissette is probably best known for her intense feminist lyrics and very distinctive voice. She used those skills to deliver a rather unique live performance and challenged her audience to always question things. So what it all boils down to is that no one's really got it figured out just yet.. ahh..but Alanis, you seem to have a good start.
Here's Your Chance to.... Respond!
Your feedback will be featured on
Rant or Rave within 24 hours.
