She prowls back and forth on the stage, all dressed in black like a panther in a cage. Alanis Morissette growls and whines through such intense self-confessional songs as "You Oughta Know", "All I Really Want" and "Forgiven". Her big, multi-octave voice captivates the audience as they sing along word-for-word with every song. This is not your usual crowd sing along with the rock star either. This performers audience aims to sing with just as much conviction and emotional abandon as Morissette herself- and without a doubt, they certainly do.

        In the midst of her lengthy ongoing U.S. and European concert tour it seems like there's just no end in sight for one of today's top women in rock. Here in the states, Jagged Little Pill has sold over seven million copies and made the coveted number one position on the Billboard charts. The latest single "You Learn" is already blazing a patch up the singles' chart in similar rampant fashion like its predecessors "Ironic" and the 1995 mega-hit "Hand In My Pocket".

        And considering her outstanding acoustic perfromance of "You Oughta Know" at the Grammy awards, where the Canadian-born singer won four awards including "Album of the Year", what can she do wrong? Not much these days. Just ask any of the thousands of teenage girls who flock to her concerts. Hell, she's barely out of high-school herself and it's crystal clear she surely knows just how to pull the strings of young fans with vivid, recollections of adolescent revelations and turning points.

        Since the controversial "You Oughta Know", Alanis Morissette has never felt more comfortable assuming the role of an avenging banshee out for blood from her ex-lover--and she makes no apologies. Overall, she has managed to successfully maintain this aggressive stance with acute bouts of insecurity and big doses maturity.

        In regard to writing the songs for Jagged Little Pill, relaxing in her pre-concert dressing room she offers:"I just found myself with a certain sense of fearlessness about my vulnerability. I discovered that the more truthful and vulnerable I was, the more empowering it was for me."

        Hard to believe, but every song on the album was written and recorded in a single day. Co-writer, Grammy award-winning producer, Glen Ballard, who has worked with the likes of Michael Jackson and Paula Abdul composed the music to Morissette's lyrics.

        "When we first started writing together," she fondly recalls, "at the time I thought, should I be so open or not? At the same time I didn't want to live with this censorship of myself. I didn't want to live halfway between worlds. At that moment, I let go of wanting to please other, and started pleasing myself. I didn't know how much responsibility I could take for having placed myself in dysfunctional relationships."

        "Most of the songs are, in a roundabout way, actually addressed to myself," she continues sipping a soda. "There's a certain aspect of the songs that's very confessional, very unadulterated. I'd written these songs almost like a stream of consciousness. For me, it was a very unfettered, spiritual experience."

        At 22 years old, this singer-songwriter dynamo expects to remain on the road- her home away from home for a while longer. As Morissette practices strengthening the bond between artist and performer, she'll also continue to write new songs in between performances and traveling. The most recent three songs "Death of Cinderella", "King of Intimidation" and "No Pressure Over Cappuccino" are already crowd pleasers and expect to be included on her next album.

        "I'm very excited about what's happening in music these days," Alanis has said. "There are a lot of artists , many of whom happen to be women, trying to express their feelings with complete honesty and without apology. You might say they are just trying to be human."

        Other noted and revered women of rock unanimously agree and it's hard not to. One in particular is veteran rocker, Annie Lennox. "She's stunning--really creative and intensely gifted," noted Lennox backstage at the Grammy Awards. "She looks like she won't let this industry ruin her." Just how does this media proclaimed Rock Goddess coping with the pressures of enormous success and fame? Better than one would expect. Says one insider from Morissette camp:"Alanis is amazing. She's handling things just fine. She is one very level-headed person who has worked a very long time to get where she is today. We're all very happy for her."

        But where will she be in a year still remains to be seen. However, music industry bigwigs predict Alanis Morissette's music will be dominating the music charts for a long time to come. And there's no denying that loyal legion of admirers continues to grow larger everyday. "She is the voice of our generation", declares a 16-year-old girl proudly wearing a "Do I Stress You Out?" tee-shirt waiting for the concert doors to open. "I skipped school just to get these tickets. Alanis Morissette sings about emotions and situations I can relate to and understand. She's been such an inspiration to me."

        Morissette, who grew up in Ottawa is the daughter of two teacher parents and a sister to a twin brother. In elementary school, she joined the cast of a children's show on Nickelodeon called You Can't Do That On Television. Considered something of a Canadian Tiffany, just a few short years later at age 17, Alanis was recording her self-titled debut album of teen fluff which won her a Juno award in 1992 for Canada's Most Promising Female Vocalist. A year later a second effort followed wit more dance-pop ditties. At which point in her young career, Morissette had once viewed herself strictly as an entertainer, not a musician. But that was a long time ago and topic of conversation she prefers not to discuss backstage following two sold-out dates at New-York City's famed Roseland Ballroom. "What I've discovered over the years is people don't realize how much change, wisdom and personality comes out between the ages of 14 abd 21. As each day progresses, I see new attitudes and new mutations in myself."

        "Those words I sing have been brewing in me since I was seven years old," she adds regarding the tracks on Jagged Little Pill." Okay, so I wasn't in charge of everything I did at one time, but I am now. I believe in making honest music, from my heart. If I didn't I wouldn't have a record deal today, I wouldn't be making videos, and I certainly wouldn't have the guts to tour. I'm happy my songs mean something to people. JLP is pretty much autobiographical."

        Once the tour ends, Alanis will take a short break before recording her next album which should be sometime in early 1997. She currently resides in Los-Angeles and is thinking of buying a house now that she financially secure. Judging by her track record of hit singles and consistent radio play, thus far, it looks like Alanis Morissette has a lot to look forward to in the future.