In 1995, an album swept the nation, inciting a generation of girls who knew anger and frustration and pain but never really let it out. Then, one of their own, a slight Canadian named Alanis Morissette spewed the heartache and fury of those girls for the world to see in songs like "You Oughtta Know," "Ironic," and the title song. Jagged Little Pill went on to sell more than 12 million copies, each word etched into the soul of twelve year olds walking along singing the lyrics from Compton to Connecticut.

Three years later, she's back with Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, a collection of songs with every bit of the same lyrical genius, every bit of the musical craftsmanship, and every bit of the skill. However, in three years one very important thing has changed -- Alanis got over it.

The girl who hurt so much she sang, "Does she know how you told me you'd hold me/ Until you died, 'til you died/ But you're still alive" now sings, "how 'bout me not blaming you for everything/ how 'bout me enjoying the moment for once/ how 'bout how good it feels to finally forgive you/ how 'bout grieving it all one at a time/ thank you india/ thank you terror/ thank you disillusionment/ thank you frailty/ thank you consequence/ thank you thank you silence." In songs like "Unsent," where Alanis sings letters she never sent to loves she never had, or "Are You Still Mad?" where she recognizes some foul things she did in the past, the singer comes to a space of acceptance and understanding that is truly beautiful to see in this age of cynicism, this age of hatred, this age of suffering.

To answer yet another, sometimes more important question - the album rocks. The lead single, "Thank U" plays over a hip hop styled break beat, "Joining You" would have Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love banging their heads over rugged guitars, and "Sympathetic Character" goes as far as mirroring DJ Premier's sound from the Jeru the Damaja single "Come Clean." Between these strong uptempo moments, calmer songs like "Unsent" and "That I Would Be Good," and the overall lyrical might of this young woman called "divine" by so many.

This is one great album.

Now, if you were still stuck in the lobby of Heartbreak Hotel, either this album will get you out the door or pass you by -- anyone expecting the old angry Alanis will be somewhat disappointed, only given a taste of that in "Would Not Come." But for everyone who's ready to look past pain and hear something -- for lack of a better word -- refreshing, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie will entertain and amaze. Alanis, you go, girl!