Search - Alanis Morissette :: Precious Illusions Pt.1

Simply Beautiful

Homa Woodrum | NV United States | 06/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Australian import single is part one for the song Precious Illusions, off of Alanis' recent album Under Rug Swept. The cover is the same as part two, with a close-up of Alanis' face on a green background. First you have the album version of Precious Illusions. Then there's an acoustic version of the first single off Under Rug Swept, Hands Clean. I was floored when I heard this version, it is hauntingly beautiful, there's no other way to describe it. I heard the song live recently and still it doesn't hold a candle to this verson. The other track is Sorry 2 Myself, which shows up also on the Japanese version of Under Rug Swept. I really like Sorry 2 Myself because I can relate to feeling like, "No one's been crueler than I've been to me." Included are the lyrics for Precious Illusions. If you don't have the patience to wait for the EP, pick this up, you won't be dissapointed -- especially with the acoustic version of Hands Clean. I only wish we didn't have to import such great singles, I think record companies should release more US singles as well as those abroad."

Another Thought-Provoking, Brilliant Song From Alanis!

Busy Body | London, England | 04/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After the release of her second sophomore album "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie," Alanis Morissette seemed to disappear from the music scene altogether. Her absence went almost unnoticed with the arrival of the teen pop movement - the Spice Girls were cooling and Britney was hotting up. A lot of mature and real talented artists didn't have a place anymore as a cheesy pop album seemed to top the charts every other week. The pop scene was, as it usually is, a hit-and-miss thing, and by the dawn of 2002 rock and indie was returning. So this gave Alanis a perfect opportunity to hit back at all the critics who called the curtain on her career three years previously. In March 2002 she released her third studio album entitled "Under Rug Swept." It surpassed many expectations when it went straight to No.1 in the US and put Alanis back on top of her angst-ridden rocking pedestal. The album received rave reviews and went multi-platinum as Alanis showcased a return to her Jagged Little Pill roots that made her the 90's reigning Angry White Female.The second single to be taken from the Under Rug Swept album was the marvellous "Precious Illusions." In the UK this was the final single to be taken from the album, which is a great shame because the album featured so many other brilliant songs such as "21 Things I Want In A Lover" and "So Unsexy" which could all have made it into the charts. Precious Illusions didn't fare too well, however: it didn't manage to reach the UK Top 40 and was released in August 2002. The video received little airplay and not much promotion was done to get the country interested in the song. Still, the song remains as amazing as it did almost two years ago and retains its personal values because mainly Alanis-listeners only will have heard it.Precious Illusions opens softly with a simple and melodic guitar that introduces Alanis instantly as she sings, "You'll rescue me, right? In the exact same way they never did. I'll be happy, right? When your healing powers kick in. You'll complete me, right? Then my life can finally begin. I'll be worthy, right? Only when you realize the gem I am." The song then picks up speed as more instruments are introduced and Alanis' vocals shift higher at the bridge where she sings, "But this won't work now the way it once did, and I won't keep it up even though I would love to. Once I know who I'm not then I'll know who I am, but I know I won't keep on playing the victim." Alanis then sings the joyous first chorus, "These precious illusions in my head did not let me down when I was defenseless, and parting with them is liking parting with invisible best friends."Alanis then sings the second verse, "This ring will help me yet as will you knight in shining armor. This pill will help me yet as will these boys gone through like water." Alanis then sings the bridge once more, but I prefer this one because it is altered lyrically and sounds much better, "But this won't work as well as the way it once did, cause I want to decide between survival and bliss. And though I know who I'm not I still don't know who I am, but I know I won't keep on playing the victim." Alanis then sings the second verse once more with more force than previously, before making way for a fabulous bit in the middle where she sings, "I've spent so long firmly looking outside me. I've spent so much time living in survival mode." Alanis then sings the bridge as the beat drops, before falling back into that brilliant chorus once more until the song ends.Precious Illusions was a good choice as the final single from Under Rug Swept because it actually is one of the strongest tracks on the album. In the song Alanis is afraid to move forward in life as it will no doubt mean letting go of the precious illusions that have been inside her head for years. As the song progresses, she realises she must take this risk, and by the end she is convinced. It's an inspirational song and I admire Alanis even more for it. I admire her further for the spectacle she put on last night on stage in front of Canada at the Juno Awards, by wearing a nude bodysuit in a protest against the pathetic and over-the-top censorship on certain stars. (...)Britney dances provocatively, big deal. Alanis' new song "Everything" has a naughty word in it - better make a fuss about it! Honestly, Middle America needs to live in the 21st Century, not the 19th. Congratulations Alanis, you're never afraid to stand up for what you believe in!"

Why be sorry, Alanis?!

J. Kennedy | KS United States | 07/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I saw the video to this single on MTV and I realized that it was the new single, I was happy. It's one of the stronger tracks on "Under Rug Swept" (in my opinion). So I ordered both parts of this single. I got this one in the mail first and popped it in the CD player immediately. I rocked out to "Precious Illusions" and almost jumped past "Hands Clean" because I'd heard her sing it live and acoustic on a Bravo! interview. But I was **blown away** by the spectacular sound of the arrangement. It was great live, but...Alanis just outdid herself with this version of the album's first single. "Sorry 2 Myself" began and at first I was unsure of the song. The melody was unconventional (not a bad thing, but characteristically Alanis...which is why I love her!), and I became attached quickly. But when the chorus came on, I FELL IN LOVE. What more can I say? Alanis has proven herself to be an amazing artist on her own...sans Glen Ballard. She never ceases to amaze me."