Alanis - by Selena Fragassi (Hardcover)

About the Book

On June 13, 1995, 21-year-old Alanis Morissette released Jagged Little Pill, an existential awakening of sexuality, a rail against sexism, and a confessional catch-all of topics related to anxiety, depression, angst, eating disorders, religious dogma, and beauty standards. In an era coming off the high of the '80s and '90s pop machine, Alanis was a total about-face, peeling off the sheen of what female music leads could be. She was the voice sitting quietly within women in the post-grunge era who finally felt the freedom to let it all out.

Book Synopsis

Celebrate three decades of the ground-breaking album Jagged Little Pill with this stunning volume featuring photos, interviews, insightful analysis, and celebrity quotes.

On June 13, 1995, 21-year-old Alanis Morissette released Jagged Little Pill, an existential awakening of sexuality, a rail against sexism, and a confessional catch-all of topics related to anxiety, depression, angst, eating disorders, religious dogma, and beauty standards. In an era coming off the high of the '80s and '90s pop machine, Alanis was a total about-face, peeling off the sheen of what female music leads could be. She was the voice sitting quietly within women in the post-grunge era who finally felt the freedom to let it all out.

Alanis: Thirty Years of Jagged Little Pill tracks it all with:

• Interviews from Alanis's first manager Scott Welch, first publicist Mitch Schneider, and several women music journalists (Lyndsey Parker, Annie Zaleski, Amy Schroeder and Liza Lentini) who have covered Alanis' career as well as quotes from some of today's biggest names in music--including Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift--on how important Alanis and Jagged Little Pill was and continues to be
• A full rundown of every track on Jagged Little Pill, including the meaning of each song and what inspired it
• Photos tracing the rise of Alanis Morisette's career and the development of this iconic album
• An exploration of Jagged Little Pill's lasting legacy in music and pop culture, including becoming a Broadway hit musical
• A look at other highlights across Alanis' career

Alanis Morisette has become a godmother of confessional singer-songwriter styles, beloved by the new crop of talents, thanks largely to the success of Jagged Little Pill. Celebrate this unstoppable piece of music history that you oughta know!

Review Quotes

"There's a lot to take in--this is not a light read, but rather a rewarding, multilayered study of an album that continues to inspire and provoke thought. Whether you're revisiting Jagged Little Pill with nostalgic admiration or discovering its significance for the first time, the book offers a powerful and lasting tribute to its enduring impact. Fragassi captures the essence of what made the album revolutionary and why Alanis continues to inspire as both a fearless singer and an empathetic soul who dared to say what so many were feeling."

--Tony Medeiros, Sandbox World

About the Author

Selena Fragassi is a longtime music journalist who began her career covering women in music and culture with the beloved Venus Zine before starting her own publication, Boxx Magazine, with a mission to close the gender gap in music editorial coverage. Her very first published piece was on an unknown Adele, and she has continued to break emerging artists with early pieces on Grimes and Lizzo, among others. Selena is currently a featured contributor for the Chicago Sun-Times. Her bylines have also appeared in SPIN, Loudwire, The A.V. Club, Paste, Nylon, Popmatters, Blurt, Under the Radar, and Chicago Magazine, where she was previously on staff as Pop/Rock Critic. Artists she's interviewed include Rise Against, Gene Simmons, Jennifer Hudson, Andra Day, Chrissie Hynde, Demi Lovato, Debbie Harry, Slash, Deftones, Evanescence, Alice Cooper, Jack White, The Black Keys, Charlie Puth, Bon Jovi, and Bonnie Raitt, among many others. Selena's work has been anthologized in That Devil Music: Best Music Writing, and she has appeared on televised panels regarding music matters for WTTW's Chicago Tonight program. She is the author of the books New Kids on the Block 40th Anniversary Celebration; NSYNC 30th Anniversary Celebration; and The Work, Life, and Style of Greta Gerwig, with more to come. Selena is also a member of The Recording Academy.

Liza Lentini is a writer and editor who has devoted her career to telling underdog stories, with a special focus on women. She is currently the Executive Editor at SPIN where she oversees the website. Read more about Liza, including her published work, at lizalentini.com.