Jewel - Singer, Songwriter ... Diva?
Written: Aug 15 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: good lyrics, great job with a different musical style
Cons: some bubblegum pop songs, annoying use of numbers in lyrics
The Bottom Line: I wouldn't have thought I would like Pop Jewel, but I found this album actually fun to listen to.
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| martytdx's Full Review: 0304 by Jewel |
I picked up this disc out of curiosity. I had heard it panned by those who had followed the Alaskan minstrel from her debut release (Pieces of You) through 2002's This Way. "She's gone pop," the exclaimed. "Jewel's sold out," they cried. "Wow, she's hot," whispered the lonely guy in the back - but he's not important right now.
So, after hearing their lamentations, I was dubious as to how I would find this album - I enjoyed her early stuff, but I'm not a huge fan of dance music (I've got all the moves of the love child Young Frankenstein and Elaine from Seinfeld, but without the grace, demeanor or natural charm).
When I slipped the CD into the player, the first notes of vibrant electronica were not surprising, but my reaction was - I liked it. As the music played, I kind of found myself grooving (in my own cement-shoes-and-swatting-mosquitos sort of way). What's going on here?
[ • about JEWEL • ]
Jewel first arrived on the scene in 1995 with Pieces of You, a collection of folky tunes influenced by her Alaskan upbringing, an interesting blend of poignant lyrics, wonderful guitar and a fresh voice. Her debut started her fame, and she went on to release a series of albums (Spirit (1998), Joy: A Holiday Collection (1999) and This Way (2001)) and a collection of poetry, spoken word albums and other interesting side projects.
Her divergence from her core folk style was first noticeable in This Way as she added more pop elements to her repertoire, but it wasn't until 0304 that she tried her hand full-tilt to the genre.
[ • the TRACKS • ]
1. Stand This is my first glimpse that something is really different with this album. Although she tested this sound on both This Way and Spirit, I was surprised with this first song. The chorus, especially, takes a nice direction into dance pop. Extremely catchy, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the "Next Jewel". Her voice moves through the tune gracefully, adding effects at times in a process I found both intriguing and satisfying. (4½)
2. Run 2 U Starting out with familiar Jewel guitar, it quickly moves into an electronic style that remind me of late 90's Madonna. The song (except the chorus) actually seems like it could have been a remix of an original Jewel piece, but does very well in it's current form. (4)
3. Intuition Cool intro - part Zydeco, part gypsy, this song is one that immediately takes up residence in your mind. This was a single, and it's obvious why. Perhaps the best track on the disc, I had heard it a dozen times without ever knowing it was Jewel. her voice takes a challenging tone as she takes on those who have wronged her. The whole electronic thing works here as the dance beat and the dark singing mix perfectly with Jewel's sultry voice. (5)
4. Leave The Lights On Another song that sounds like she remixed an older composition. Jazz-influenced, it mixes a beguiling chorus with a good musical backing. It has a great beat, and even I think I could dance to it. (3½)
5. 2 Find U Jewel is quieter here, a Natalie Imbrugalia sound in a ballad intro with an uplifting chorus that starts with a flourish and pops into the room. Standard electronic pop sound, but I like Jewel's voice on this tune, even if it's not as complex as earlier tracks. (3)
6. Fragile Heart Blues guitar opens this track, but she uses a Squeaky Jewel voice to sing the intro of this sugary sweet tune. Slower-paced, this Edie-Brickell-esque song is enjoyable with plucked guitar rhythm and quiet lyrics. The bridge before the solo is excellent, and I really enjoyed the whistled sections, as well. (4)
7. Doin' Fine The pace picks up here for a more pop than electronic/dance tune. Not her best vocal effort, the chorus is nice but the song seems to be missing something. Not a bad tune, but not her best, either. (2½)
8. 2 Become 1 A quiet, sultry voice starts this song - remind me of "Hands" or something from that era - not a dance song, but definitely more pop than her earlier work. Full instruments behind her is a nice change of pace, as she lets her voice work the music rather than being part of the beat. Decent chorus, if not spectacular. The xylophone-like background is distracting, though. (3)
9. Haunted Definite electronic opening with brooding tone, the slow, deliberate singing matches the music perfectly as the verses move on in this song about ...It finally bursts out in a great release of desperate vocals, still slow and deliberate but now with the power of conviction behind them. Distorted vocals in the middle of the song a bit annoying, but I like her Janis Joplin moment during it. (2½)
10. Sweet Temptation A pop/punk dance tune spirit as the song charges through a powerful chorus, a great grabbing bit of singing to a gypsy beat that screams "single". I'm sure that the remix is fantastic because she scores a hit with the captivating chorus (3½)
11. Yes U Can Another funky dance track, her voice is tempting and challenging at the same time. Good musical backing in this 80's throwback. Chorus is pure 90's, though, as she uses the defiant tone and lyrics to make a great dance tune (4)
♫ Say hello 2 the room where the party's jumpin'
Where the boys all freak 'cause the boots are bumpin'
Where the girls are naughty and always saying
"Yes u can, yes u can, yes u can."
12. U & Me = Love Complete bubblegum dance music - quirky lyrics that match the tone of the music, Jewel has produced a fun and listenable song. Interesting fluff song, she seemed to have a lot of fun making this song. (3)
13. America She takes an anthemic turn here, creating a good mix of older and newer styles. Her voice mocks much of America's self-infatuation, predatory and disgusted before reaching a chorus that highlights that she still believes we are a great country that can do great things. (4)
♪Everywhere I go, seems like Bush is on TV,
We shed blood in the name of liberty - uh-huh, all right
The circus tents are dead, but the sideshow is doing well
The Osbournes and Anna Nicole are too freaky 2 tell - uh-huh, all right...
Take the bad with the good
I wanna change it but I wouldn't leave it if I could
14. Becoming This song starts nicely enough, quiet singing and subtle dance beat winding along with each other - but it never really picks up. It's innocent enough but strikes me as little more than an afterward to a good album. (2½)
[ • a good beat, AND YOU CAN DANCE TO IT • ]
Though not my usual cup of tea, Jewel's experimentation works on this disc. She goes a different direction than her previous work (although, as I said, shades of her eventual leanings were seen on This Way, and even takes time to explain it to her fans in the CD booklet:
"Where to start? This record may seem different to you. To me, it's closer to what has been in my head for years. I wanted to make a record that was a modern interpretation of big band music. A record that was lyric-driven, like Cole Porter stuff, that also had a lot of swing. And a lot of thanks to Lester, because when I told him I wanted to make a record that combined dance, urban and folk music, he didn't look at me like I was crazy..."
Jewel finds a way to bring her folk roots into the electronic age, using intelligent lyrics spiced up with a dance beat. Astonishingly, she manages to craft the new music style ably, presenting a great combination of her style with the new sound. Granted, some times she moves into lighter, bubblegum fare, but it comes off as obvious attempt to do so than a failing of her normal aplomb. I can't say that I'd prefer this style to her earlier work, but Jewel's attempt at growth is a nice diversion that is far more successful than others who have tried to do the same thing.
Overall Score » 3.5
[ • the DISC • ]
The CD is bright pink, without much more to it visually, although it does contain some added features accessed through your computer. Those aspects are a bit limited, in my opinion, having a video interview and a 6-picture photo gallery which are both slow to load. The booklet itself is about average, with some nice photographs and the lyrics to the song, although liner notes at the end, describing her thoughts about each song are a nice touch.
• CD Specs •
Jewelcase » plastic
CD Image » Pink
CD Extras » Interview Video and Photo Gallery
CD Booklet » 12 pages, photos, liner notes + note to fans
Lyrics » Yes
[ • final THOUGHTS • ]
Whether Jewel was merely diversifying or taking a whole new step in the evolution of her music, only time will tell. However, with 0304, she does offer up another side of her music that shows off her unquestionable ability as a songwriter and a musician. Her skills from the past are still evident in the current millieu, and while she might not be a Christine Aguilera or Jessica Simpson in terms of dance popularity, she does hold her own here.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 481
Trusted by: 179 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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