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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly good!, June 13, 2005
I was prepared for the bubblegummy sound before I ever played this CD. I think it's actually a very good effort on her part, although her voice doesn't really fit the songs. I purchased this CD because I am a huge Alanis Morissette fan and I was incredibly intrigued to hear her debut.
Songs like "An Emotion Away" and "Can't Deny" are probably the most teen pop sounding songs on this CD, "An Emotion Away" sounds kind of like an Amy Grant song gone wrong, but it's still a fun song. There seems to be more backup vocals on this song than we hear of Alanis.
Most people have said that this CD is abolutely terrible, and I am definitely inclined to disagree. I refuse to limit myself to just one type of music so naturally this CD is most appealing to my many musical tastes. I like everyone from Britney Spears (who's about as teen pop/bubblegum as you can get these days) to heavy metal (like Slayer) and punk rock (Blink 182). I say this CD is a fine effort by Alanis and it supports the fact that she has come a long way, both emotionally and musically.
My absolute favorite song on this CD is "Can't Deny". With it's early 90s synth sounds and poppy beat, it is very listener friendly. If it had been released to the radio in it's day, it most certainly would have been a hit.
Other songs on this CD vary in sound and emotion. "Rain" is an ode to a friend who passed away, not a 'cheesy love song' as another reviewer recently described. "Real World", the opening track, is an okay track, but not one I'd choose for the opener.
Above all, this CD is worth the buy, but only if you have an open mind and are not expecting that typical "Angry Alanis" sound. If you like Alanis, give it a listen. If you like the teen pop stars of today, give it a listen. I reccommend this CD to anyone who needs to hear something new, who needs to smile (or laugh out loud once they realize who it is), or just to show it off and see everyone else's shock at this CD.
BUY IT!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty much for historical reference, June 8, 2005
I agree with the other reviewer: "'Now Is The Time' simply can't be compared to 'Jagged Little Pill' or anything that Alanis Morissette has created since."
That is certainly true. The sound on the CD sounds like average early 1990s pop -- songs that might have been popular for the time but didn't last. Sadly, it reminds me of music that you might hear on an "easy listening" station: Not offensive, but not all that unique, either.
I bought the CD because I am a pretty big fan and wanted to hear just about everything she's done. However, it's clear that this is much different than her later work (Jagged Little Pill and later). Her vocals don't sound as strong or as passionate as her later work; they seem to mix into the background instruments. The choice of background music also seems bland -- it seems to be mostly piano and/or synthesizer. (Imagine Alanis without the interesting lyrics, without a guitar, with standard "pop" songs, and standard "pop" background mixed over the vocals, and you pretty much have this album.) Nothing stood out, and it seems ultimately forgettable.
Elements of the music reminded me of things that I've heard in other artists. Parts of it reminded me of some recent popular songs and a lot of it reminded me of popular female artists of the early 1990s. It just doesn't have that unique Alanis feel.
In short, this CD sounds a lot like the average music you heard in the early to mid 1990s. Thank goodness Alanis broke that mold with the classic Jagged Little Pill.
While I don't much like the music on the CD, I still think it is worth it to own from a historical perspective and am not sorry that I purchased it. I only recommend purchasing it for similar reasons -- it's nothing like her later work.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not bad, March 30, 2005
Alanis Morissette's second album is definitely an improvement over her self-titled (minus the Morissette) debut. Now is the Time still features corny love songs like Big Bad Love and Rain, but the album also features a more mature side of Alanis. Songs like No Apologies and (Change Is) Never a Waste of Time are a little more introspective and her singing is great. While nothing can compare to Morissette's Jagged Little Pill masterpiece, she was certainly heading in the right direction with Now is the Time. An enjoyable listen!
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