This leads us to the obvious question: Do we really need another Britney Spears? The thing that originally set Jewel apart from the rest of the crowd was the fact that she was able to make folk music appeal to a mainstream audience. That was quite a feat, and to think that she's totally forgotten her roots and what got her so famous in the first place is soooooo disappointing.

Yes, this review may seem harsh, and I know there are loyalist fans out there that would rip this review apart, but the Jewel I once knew no longer exists. I'm sorry if you're reading this, Jewel, but I think the reviews of this CD will prove to be your wake up call.


Sell Out   June 5, 2003
 54 out of 85 found this review helpful

If you're looking for the Jewel we all loved (acoustic guitar, soul searching lyrics, and that unique and powerful voice) don't look here. If you are looking for a "sell out" disc that has no real talent, but has a good beat, look no further. I wish I could highlight a particular song that I like, but they all sound the same (pop). My advice: stick to an older album, this one doesn't hold a candle.


How Do You Prefer Your Jewel?   July 14, 2003
 50 out of 61 found this review helpful

Enough with the negative reviews on this cd. It's too different for the hardcore fans, etc., etc. It's too much like Christina Aguilera or Britany Spears, which is inaccurrate. You know, there was a time when a female artist could jump genres of music and receive accolades instead of dismissals. Olivia Newton-John, Tina Turner, Cher, Madonna, Annie Lennox, Sinead O'Connor--all were able to shift gears musically, and to me that's a sign of talent, not selling out. Sure, Jewel is finely airbrushed on the cover, the titles are written like Prince tunes (U & Me= Love, Run 2 U, Yes U Can), and the songs are polished to fine pop bliss. I, for one, find this cd to be one of Jewel's finest. She forgoes all the pseudo-serious folk preaching and gets down to business with a cd filled with upbeat tracks instead of her serious ballads. However, she is still writing about serious topics such as social issues in "Stand" and "America" along with other familiar themes of love such as "Run 2 U", "Fragile Heart" and "2 Become 1". She also deals with letting go and trying new things such as the first single "Intuition", which probably flew over most Jewel fans' heads. She even deals with lust on "Sweet Temptation", "U & Me= Love" and "Yes U Can". In fact, there are a number of hits on this disc: "Stand", "Run 2 U", "Intuition", "Leave The Lights On", "2 Find U", "Fragile Heart", "Sweet Temptation", "Yes U Can", "America" & "Becoming". The only true miss is the overlong "Haunted", which seemed out of place. This new direction is great--a breath of fresh air for Jewel. She sounds like she's having fun and the music represents that spirit. Too many reviewers are taking this cd too seriously. This could be Jewel's "Thriller" or "Hysteria" or "No Jacket Required". If you're looking for intelligent pop (which Aguilera and Spears are not), then pick this up (also if you like the 80's).


This...WHAT IS THIS?   November 11, 2003
 44 out of 84 found this review helpful

Hey, whatever happened to the Jewel Kilcher that played the acousic guitar, and had a beautiful voice? But this? This is a nightmare. All I can say is, what a waste of talent. As a previous reviewer wrote, THIS IS NOT THE JEWEL WE KNOW! >:(

Was she trying to impress pop lovers? Well, I like pop, but she certainly didn't impress me. Now, she's just a sick clone of Britney, who wears trashy clothing, and who seems to use internet chatspeak in the titles of her songs...I really hope she goes back to country.

Jewel, PLEASE come back...:(


0304! Is Terrific   June 4, 2003
 42 out of 57 found this review helpful

Right off the bat let's not split hairs here or beat around the bush, Jewel's new CD 0304, is outstanding. From start to finish, the Cd gels so well together. If we have anything to thank for this wonderful new sounding Jewel, it's "Serve The Ego", from her last album "This Way", a song that came out of nowhere, that song put Jewel into a refreshingly new sound. The first release, the ever catchy "Intuition", is just the tip of the icberg. Her look also fits the mood of the CD, loose and bold and daring. Any one of the 14 songs have hit written all over them. There is alot to choose from: there's "Yes U Can", "Haunted", "America", "Doin' Fine" just to name a few. Jewel's timing on these songs is song as well. If you want to buy an album this summer this CD is it. Just a side note I completed my Jewel collection by buying "Spirit". The grade that I would give this CD would be an A-.

Song grades:

1. Stand "B"
2. Run 2 U "B"
3. Intuition "A+"
4. Leave The Lights On "B"
5. 2 Find U "B"
6. Fragile Heart "B"
7. Doin' Fine "A"
8. 2 Become 1 "A"
9. Haunted "A+"
10. Sweet Temptation "B"
11. Yes U Can "A++"
12. U & Me = Love "B"
13. America "A+"
14. Becoming "B"

0304 meets and goes above my expectations. Way to go Jewel! Great CD.