1995 Album Ranked One of the 'Greatest Albums of All Time' -- And It Still Holds Up

Ah, the '90s: when alternative rock and grunge entered the mainstream, with acts like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Radiohead ruling the roost. It's also when the "Queen of Alt-Rock Angst" reached dizzying heights of global stardom. Alanis Morissette made her debut with her first record in 1991, titled Alanis, but it was her third studio effort that truly launched her career – and over three decades later, it still holds up.

Hitting music stores on June 13, 1995, Jagged Little Pill was Morissette's first album to be released worldwide. It also marked a departure from the sound of her first two records, which were more dance-pop. The alternative rock/post-grunge album's first single, "You Oughta Know," peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, while skyrocketing to No. 1 on the US Alternative Airplay chart. The track is widely speculated to be about Morissette's ex-boyfriend, Full House's Dave Coulier, although the singer-songwriter and musician refuses to disclose its subject.

It's hard to believe that Morissette was only 21 when she wrote Jagged Little Pill with producer Glen Ballard. Morissette revealed she was struggling with her mental health after being robbed at gunpoint, and channeled her anxiety into creating visceral, truthful work. "I say things in my songs that I wouldn't say in normal conversation or even the most serious talk," she said at the time.

The record tackles trauma, mental health, addiction, and authenticity, wrapped up in an angst-ridden, quintessentially '90s alt-rock package. It received mostly favorable reviews from critics, with one reviewer noting that Morissette "unflinchingly explores emotions so common, most people would be ashamed to articulate them."

Rolling Stone ranked Jagged Little Pill at 45 on their list of the "100 Best Albums of the Nineties," and slotted it at number 69 in their 2020 reboot of their "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list. Apple Music also included Jagged Little Pill on their "100 Best Albums" list at number 31.

While it certainly resonates with women, the album's exploration of mental health transcends gender, in a way, making it relatable for anyone who's struggling to express their emotions. Jagged Little Pill is an alternative rock classic, and it's truly Alanis Morissette's magnum opus.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 9:06 AM.