'Hands in My Pocket', 'You Oughta Know' and a very unusual interpretation of what constitutes something being 'Ironic' - yes, this week's candidate for the Cultural Toolbox is Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette.

With more than 33 million copies sold (as of 2009) since its release 20 years ago this month, the album was obviously a massive commercial success and is still a favourite for many listeners (not to mention a great and affectionate running gag in the comedy series The Trip to Italy). But it also has its critics, and the lyrics of its big hit single 'Ironic' remain a source of ridicule for many.

As is often the way, John Fardy was a big fan while Shane had a few reservations. Listen back to their chat below:

"This is a great break-up album," John explained, comparing it to recent Toolbox candidate Blue by Joni Mitchell. "It's a great female artist album as well. You hear it in her voice... there's a jaggedness to it.

"But there's also a sweetness to it. She has a nice, different kind of voice."

Released when Morissette was only 21, the singer was living at home when she started producing the album with Glen Ballard. "He was really serious about [this]... he suspected [she] had this darker kind of edge," John told Shane.

On the subject of the 'break-up' central to the album, John said "there's been different theories about who the guy is - she says she'll never name him. Nobody really cares. Suffice to say she went through a pretty bad breakup."

Shane's main objection to the album and Morissette's singing was her 'shouting' style.

"She's like a female Joe Strummer, the way she spits out the words," John argued, while Shane countered "I'm sorry, but this is just shouty: it's hard to listen to."

Of course, there was a also brief discussion about 'the lack of irony' in Ironic, including a clip from comedian Ed Byrne's bit on the song.

The album might not be ironic, but there's certainly an argument to be made it's pretty good nonetheless.