Alanis Morissette doesn't wear Guy Sigsworth well. The British producer (who's worked with Seal and Britney Spears) was supposed to embellish the perpetually bitter singer — kinda like how a well-chosen accessory should complement an outfit. Unfortunately, Sigsworth's contributions turn out to be more shroud than shawl. Morissette comes off like an afterthought on Flavors of Entanglement, her vocals alternately muddied and glossed over. For someone who built a career on attitude and unabashedly personal lyrics, it's odd that she would return, after a four-year absence, sounding so unlike Alanis Morissette. She may receive songwriting credit, but these are decidedly not her songs. Morissette breaks the surface only a couple of times — particularly with "In Praise of the Vulnerable Man"'s subtle synth washes, tasteful acoustic flourishes, and simple drum programming. It gives you an idea of what an Alanis Morissette record produced by Guy Sigsworth would sound like, rather than Flavors of Entanglement: a Guy Sigsworth album that features vocals by Alanis Morissette.
