Alanis

She was once dubbed the voice of the teen angst generation of the '90s, and wasn't afraid to produce lyrics that took a swipe at everyone from politicians to the Catholic church.

There is no other like Alanis Morisstte. Though many try to follow in her footsteps — take fellow Canadian Avril Lavigne, for example — nobody really comes close. Or maybe it's just because Alanis came first.

For 'The Collection', Alanis decided to give back to her fans what many say she may be lacking in: versatility. The album offers listeners almost a decade of hits, as well as lesser-known tracks, silencing critics with a definitive "this is not a best of" album.

Far from it actually — if it were a best of album, it would include her hits like 'Joining You' or 'Forgiven'. Instead it has a few virtual unknowns that only true Alanis fans will recognise.

There's also a cover of Seal's 'Crazy', which Alanis has turned into a catchy rock song with her trademark touches, making it a contender for a top position on the charts.

It's already been receiving massive airplay in SA, proving that even though she aimed to release just one new track since her last offering 'So-Called Chaos', she's set to do some damage on the charts.

'The Collection' is also testament to her transition from angst-ridden rocker to a more sublime songwriter, taking inspiration from her travels and the new love of her life, wacky US actor Ryan Reynolds.

She may have been the girl "who confessed her darkest sins to an envious man" when she first started out, but today she's more of a simple, together kinda gal. It's not how she became famous, but it lends a refreshing twist to her work.