Alanis Morissette - The Collection (2005)

In 2005, Alanis Morissette celebrated the 10th anniversary of her breakthrough album, JAGGED LITTLE PILL, in grand style by both rerecording that disc in an acoustic format, and issuing the decade-spanning COLLECTION. The latter 18-track release presents a number of rarities along with many of the Canadian pop/rock singer/songwriter's hits. Morissette's Maverick debut is well represented here by a generous handful of successful singles, most notably the fierce "You Oughta Know" and the angsty anthems "Ironic" and "Head Over Feet." Although Morissette's later (and often more adventurous) outings make less of a showing, this set does feature several intriguing non-album cuts, including the spiritually minded and heavily orchestral "Mercy" (from THE PRAYER CYCLE), the Middle Eastern-tinged "Still" (from the soundtrack to Kevin Smith's DOGMA, in which she played the embodiment of God), and a faithful version of Seal's "Crazy." Though the fan-favorite "All I Really Want" is mysteriously absent, THE COLLECTION is a commendable overview of Morissette's '95-'05 output, and its eclectic track list makes the set suitable for both fans and newcomers.