So-Called Chaos

Swan diving into a sunnier style than we've ever heard from her before, Alanis sounds beautifully self-assured on <i>So-Called Chaos</i>. While she maintains the intensity we love—packing songs like the hyper-articulate "Knees of my Bees" with scores of thoughtful lyrics—there's an uplifting feeling running throughout this energetic album. Whether she's backed by jangly guitars on "Out Is Through" or exploring a tense minor-key melody on "Excuses", Alanis sounds like she's in a great mood here, and it's contagious.