Becoming: Jewel's Music Evolves in 0304
Written: Jan 26 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fun, catchy beats, sensual and romantic lyrics, sexy vocals
Cons: Repetitive and somewhat mindless choruses, lacking CD inserts and where's Jewel's guitar?
The Bottom Line: Jewel's 0304 is one of the best albums of 2003, and she isn't changing, simply evolving.
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| nycgrl's Full Review: 0304 by Jewel |
"Dear Fans,
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. I hope it makes you feel young and sexy and smart."
So writes Jewel Kilcher of her 2003 album, 0304, interpreted by many fans as Jewel's move into the popular music scene, and abandonment her folk roots for album sales. Jewel, an established singer/songwriter with her previous critically acclaimed albums Pieces of You (1995), Spirit (1998) and This Way (2001), and is known for her profound lyrics, piercing guitar strummings and modest appearance. Unsurprisingly, 0304 caused a stir among loyal fans, causing them to question her motives ("Who will save your soul?" they cried). After hearing the poppy single "Intuition", many failed to give Jewel's newest album a chance.
I don't think Jewel is going downhill at all. I suppose it depends on the perspective. I agree that her older stuff was fabulous (*hugs copy of Pieces of You*), but I'd like to think that each of her albums stand alone and don't try to top each other, but just carry out it's theme.
Pieces of You was mostly criticizing humanity's faults and the foundation of most of the songs were the profound lyrics.
Spirit appealed much more to the human spirit and heart.
This Way seemed to be a reprisal of the style in Pieces of You, while still making the move to be more "pop".
I don't think Jewel's changed at all, just bringing out a different side of her, as she did with every album. And the result was the combination of beautiful songs, sensual lyrics and seductive vocals of 0304.
Stand, A-
Mothers weep, children sleep
So much violence ends in silence
It's a shame there's no one 2 blame
For all the pain that life brings
Jewel cleverly starts off her album with a song criticizing humanity, reminiscent of her past songs, while adding in the dance-y, high-energy beat to her profound lyrics. In fact, my only complaint of this song were the seemingly irrelevant lyrics Jewel wailed somewhere toward the end of the song "U will love me, I will love u".
Run 2 U, B
I need u for dark reasons, dear
For greed and lust and seed and fear
For all the songs that I can hear when u are near
'Cause the places I've been, well I'm trying 2 forget
Excepting the mindless and repetitive chorus (Run 2 me, I'll run 2 u, Let me crash into u Run 2 u, you'll run 2 me, I alone can love u, U belong 2 me), the lyrics to Run 2 U are decent, but the beat of the song seems hastily written and too simple. Another plus to the song is Jewel's soft, purring voice, adding a very romantic element to an otherwise dull song.
Intuition, D
Follow your heart
Your intuition
It will lead you in the right direction
Let go of your mind
Your intuition
It's easy to find
Just follow your heart, baby
Perhaps my least favorite song on the album, the song starts with sounds of a funky French accordion, sounding too much like the beginning of Shakira's Objection to Tango. The subject matter is witless, about following one's heart instead of pop trends. I found this song a poor choice as the hit single to 0304.
Leave the Lights On, A
I like your smile
Don't like complication
I like your style
Don't like calculation
Come towards me, dear
There's something u need 2 hear
This jazz-influenced song sounds darker than the previous techno, cheerful ones on the album. The beat exudes character to the song, making it sound edgy and sexy. The tantalizing song is about casual sex, and Jewel's deliciously seductive makes this one of the best songs on the album.
2 Find U, A-
Hey, u
Do not walk away
Let's choose love, come on
What do u say?
Hey, u
Know that I would spend
My whole life all over again
2 find u
This angsty, emotional song is well-balanced with Jewel's catchy and buoyant, if not, slightly monotonous, chorus. A very sweet song, despite some downhearted verses, has a positive outlook for love.
Fragile Heart, A-
If u want my heart
U have 2 promise not 2 tear it apart
'Cause my heart
Has been hurt a lot
And it always seems
Love is not sweet, like in dreams
Something falls through
But I don't want that 2 happen 2 me and u
This is a pretty, pleasant song Jewel sings to someone to not break her "fragile heart". Both the beat and Jewel's voice are pleasing to the ear in this adorable, pleasurable song.
Doin' Fine, A-
So come on, baby
Let's just have fun
Let's breathe stardust into our lungs
Let's drive too fast
Let's go too far
When our hearts bleed it lets us know we are-alive
And that we are-doin' fine
Doin' Fine is a fun, chipper song about the joys of youth, and always makes me think of sunshine.
2 Become 1, A
Like a bird owns its wings
Like a song belongs 2 melody
U belong 2 me
I fold your arms around me
Let your flesh, your breath, your love, surround me
Oh, u feel like home
2 Become 1 reminds me of This Way from Jewel's album of the same name. The melody, lyrics and vocals of the song are exceptionally beautiful and appealing to one's ears and heart.
Haunted, B+
And when u wake up
U will see yourself through my eyes
And when u break up
You'll understand
Why it is I cry
This song is darker than the preceding 2 Become 1, and as Jewel says in her Liner Notes, is from a "stalker perspective" and is about an obsessive, one-way love. Jewel's low, breathy, husky voice is the most successful part of Haunted.
Sweet Temptation, A
When u fall into me
It feels so sweet, like dreaming
Press yourself into me
Let me feel your breathing
There's a voice in your heart
Softly calling
Come 2 me u will see, just give in
2 this sweet temptation
This is a fast-paced, sensual love song with eerily beautiful and kind of dark lyrics intended to be in the style of The Cure. Sweet Temptation is an alluring combination of dark verses and an enticing chorus. I think this song may show the range of Jewel's stunning voice the best.
Yes U Can, A
Say hello 2 the room where the party's jumpin'
Where the boys all freak 'cause boots are bumpin'
Where the girls are naughty and always saying
"Yes u can, yes u can, yes u can"
One of my favorite songs on the album, Yes U Can has a rock sound to it (it was originally written for Santana), with a catchy and sexy beat. In fact, the song is so energetic, that fast-paced clapping is part of its compilation. This is definitely a song I wouldn't mind dancing to.
U & Me = Love, C
Come on, baby, won't u crash into me?
I'm like nothing that you've ever seen
Dynamite,
I'll blow your mind
Guaranteed 2 mesmerize
You'll say, "Ooh la, la, la"
U & Me = Love is a cheesy, techno pop song with tacky lyrics and a mediocre beat. It does get credit however, for being incredibly high-spirited.
America, B
We are trying in America
We're spying in America
Getting high in America
We are laughing in America
We're crying in America
We're dying in America
Though I think this is an overall decent song, I feel the subject matter is too similar to Stand, and the beat not as good. The energetic song, obviously, is about the faults of America.
Becoming, A
Listen, heart
Listen close-listen
2 the melancholy
Melody of your own voice
I am weary
Of my own dreaming
I am tired of waiting
So this time, I'm leaping
Another favorite of mine on the album, Jewel calls Becoming a love song to herself. This song features some of the most profound lyrics on the album, the beat is slower in comparison to the other songs on 0304 and Jewel's voice shines in the song, and has a romantic quality to it that makes it understandable why she would call it a love song. One of my favorite lyrics on this entire album is in this song: I am the mother and the father of what is not yet known. In the song, Jewel sings about her own becoming, witnessing the evolution of her own character and heart, a fitting song to end 0304
Jewel said it best herself in Becoming; she is constantly changing and becoming the person who she was meant to be, and 0304 is a step along the way. 0304 may have been different from her previous albums, but it is another part of her that she shares with all of us.
I realize this review comes a bit late, over 6 months after the release of 0304 but it's only recently that I bought this album, because before that, I was slightly afraid of what I might hear. For those Jewel fans who've felt the same way, I urge you to buy 304 and just give it a chance. Perhaps you'll love it as much as I do.
0304 can be purchased for under $13.99 at most CD stores and online CD sources. If you enjoyed this album, I highly recommend any of Jewel's other albums. If you choose to buy 0304, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
Thanks for reading!
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
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Epinions.com ID:
nycgrl
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Location: New York, New York
Reviews written: 26
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Heard about that new pirate movie? It's rated AAARGH. Laugh now.
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