Alanis Morissette - Feast on Scraps [Enhanced CD & Live DVD]

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Music reviews of Feast on Scraps [Enhanced CD & Live DVD]

Music Review: MORE THAN JUST SCRAPS
Rating: 5 Stars

THE AUDIO CD:
OK, straight to the point. For non-USA fans, all of these songs except two had been released on commercial singles for two of "Under Rug Swept"'s singles- "Hands Clean" and "Precious Illusions". So, in reality, they weren't fresh out of the oven for most listeners when "Feast" was released. But a feast is what you'll have from start to finish of this 9-track E.P. "Fear of Bliss" starts things off. With loudly driven guitars and an angry set of lyrics about fearing the positive sides of life, Alanis recalls some of the pain and frustration she is so well known for in sharing with her listeners. In fact, the song was originally to be "Swept"'s opening track, but obviously was replaced by the more pop delight rocker, "21 Things I Want In A Lover". Following "Fear of Bliss" is the delicious "Bent For You" (a.k.a "Bent 4 U"). In the song, Alanis sings about throwing down the sword and stopping all the things she has done for her at-the-time boyfriend, who obviously had been the controlling one. "I have waited for you and adjusted for you and I'm done", she sings. Third up is "Sorry To Myself" (a.k.a "Sorry 2 Myself"). Possibly the most powerful self-realization song Morissette has ever written, she discusses why she takes no credit for the wrong-doings in the particular situation she had been in. Next up is "Sister Blister", another song of frustration and anger. Whoever the female is that she's singing about (or the collective group of the sex) had obviously not been on her side. "We are not all for one and one for all", Alanis declares to her 'sister'. Next up is "Offer", another self-deprecating song of which she asks "Who, who am I to be blue? Look at my family and fortune. Look at my friends and my house." A beautiful folk-like song, "Offer" is probably the only track that would have sounded out of place if put on "Under Rug Swept". In line next is "Unprodigal Daughter", a powerful rock anthem apparently about being a rebellious young woman setting herself free and going against parental rules. "Glad that I left when I did before the 'no dear, you can't' got the best of me", she sings. Riding towards the end of the E.P. lies "Simple Together", a gorgeous ballad full of violins and extremely emotional lyrics about a relationship gone sour. A far cry from the 1995 anthem "You Oughta Know", "Simple Together" is far more sad than anything Alanis has ever spoken of or sung about before. "I thought we'd be precious together, but I was sadly mistaken", she sings. Next is "Purgatorying", an odd song taking on a waltz-like style as Alanis demands to be left in her own world, whether it be of reality or fiction. And we come to an end with a beautiful and moving acoustic rendition of "Under Rug Swept"'s best-known track, "Hands Clean". "Feast on Scraps: The Audio CD" is amazing in itself and in its shortness.

But wait! There's more! SO much more!

THE DVD:
I won't get into major detail here. All I can say is that the concert is great. Alanis continues to be a high energy beast on stage. When she's not plucking her sparkly electric guitar, she's pacing the stage like an impatient child. Or she's spinning around like a dervish and making her gorgeous, long hair fly every which way. A great setlist and excellent performance. In between each song is a segment of behind-the-scenes footage from the past year, from both the recording studio and miscellaneous locations. In most of them, Alanis has good old fun. Hilarious yet strikingly serious, each segment is probably a highlight (as a whole) over the concert itself.

All in all, "Feast on Scraps" is an amazing package by an amazing artist. Put it together with "Under Rug Swept" and what do you have? An astonishing collection of music and video created over the past year. What a 'scrap'book! This is gold right here, baby!

**
ADDITIONAL NOTES ADDED ON 1-18-03
**
I read many reviews on how displeased people were with the sound quality on songs where video footage cuts back and forth from miscellaenous concerts. I agree this is a minor annoyance, but it only really affects listening pleasure on the song "21 Things I Want In A Lover". I can handle that. You can, too, I'm sure. Grit and bear it, it's still worth every penny!

Description of Feast on Scraps [Enhanced CD & Live DVD]

Alternative Rock CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop
• Rock