Fridae

This brief clip is great for three reasons. First of all, she smiles. Secondly, she explains the meaning of a few songs, which should help some of us wade through her cryptic lyrics. And lastly, she announces a festival tour this summer that her fans will be excited to hear about.

I've been listening to an advance copy of this new Morissette LP and I must conclude that it is a pretty solid collection of songs. It is not as radio-friendly as her earlier records, but it is meaningful, authentic and the teaming with Guy Sigsworth gives her a welcome new glow.

The reality is though that Alanis Morissette is no longer a chart-topping, made-for-top forty-radio artist. Gone are the days of "Hand In My Pocket" and "You Oughta Know." She is a mature album artist now, much like Tori Amos, Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLachlan and others for whom the creative process of crafting an album is more important than writing the latest greatest radio ditty.