Customer Reviews

0304

5 star:		(272)
4 star:		(117)
3 star:		(55)
2 star:		(62)
1 star:		(159)

 

 

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).

Jewel goes over the top in this comedic but conscientious musical satire of superficial culture. 0304 is funny because Jewel mocks the "divas" and the "gangstas" in their own teen demographic targeted language... bubblegum and rap music. It is interesting how 0304 seperates the people who "hear" music from the people who are actually listening. What's the difference? Some people listen to the lyrics and get it and the rest don't get it because they are only looking at the surface, but either way you look at it, the album works. I am glad I fall into the "get it" category.

Talent is just a matter of technical mastery but Jewel has more than that going for her. I suspect Jewel has doctorate degrees in philosophy and literature or something. The woman is clever.

Not only does the title of the album 0304 show that this record was meant to be something to remember, but the uniqueness of it shows it. When people think of Jewel they think of how she used to be from her 1st album, her real fans never seemed to grasp the real uniquness of Jewel which was that she could do whatever she wants whenever she wants. If she wants to do folk she can do folk, if she wants to do rock she can do rock, if she wants to do jazz she can do jazz, in this case she chose to modern pop and I couldn't be more happier. Songs like Intuition are more than just songs with some good dance sounds, underneath the melody there are some of the most well written lyrics with messages that will blow your mind. For example, the song Yes U Can. When people hear it they think, "It's just a song with a hip beat," when actually her message has to do with the way people live. We go around and have this wild atmosphere where anything and everything can happen. She's saying that guys and girls can do whatever they want, but actually she is pointing out the easiness and non cunning way it takes for someone to get what they want and in this case the person is getting love or one time pleasures. Like this song, the songs off this album is like "a needle in a haystack," it's something you have to search for if you really want to know what she's talking about. It's not that Jewel sold out, it's that people don't want to look for a message anymore. They want it given to them like a toy at Christmas. You don't even have to search for it, but in this case you have to. I find this album a total treasure and will take advantage of the messages that she gives to us. Will you?

Having been a fan of Jewel for quite some time, I was excited about getting 0304. I bought it today, its day of release, and I have to say that I was not disappointed! While her earlier albums, Pieces of You and Spirit were more pure folk, This Way rocked up her style a bit. With her newest release, it's her most polished and mainstream work yet. Although Jewel's writing has not changed dramatically, the sound of her music has. This album combines R&B sounds with rock, as well as some folk.

As for the songs, they're excellent, with the stand-out tracks being the hit single Intuition along with 2 Find U, 2 Become 1, Haunted, and Sweet Temptation. Intuition is a powerful dance beat, and 2 Find U echoes material such as Standing Still. Haunted is very, well..haunting. It's set in a male stalker's perspective, it's steller. There's always the catchy songs like Yes U Can and Doin' Fine that are great fun too. Then the more introspective works such as Fragile Heart and Becoming are beautiful.

Overall, 0304 is steller. It's Jewel at her best, you won't be disappointed. If you're looking for raw folk songs, buy Pieces of You. But, if you're like me, and like more pop and R&B styles, this album is for you. Keep on rocking, Jewel!

Jewel's vocals should always be skipping across the top of the music. This CD requires you to wade through the dance and hip-hop noises that are drowning out Jewel's gift. Occasionally you get a good clean Jewel vocal that is not struggling to emerge from the confusion of this over produced CD. When I bought this CD I was fantasizing that Jewel would be crying in my ear with her guitar. Just she and I alone. Instead I ended up in a noisey discotech and couldn't wait to leave.

If this album is suppose to be a satire to the current music industry trend, then it missed the mark by a continent. Jewel supposely intended for this album to ridicule how pop music now are being pumped out of the assembling line, with skin laddened album covers, with the artists' public image oozing with sexuality.

So what does she do? She supposely does exactly that. With bland lyrics, catchy but short tunes that just loops 5 times and call it a song, wear barely ass covering skirts with bustiers and wiggles her ass on the stage at live performances. Well, she sure succeeded in what she set out to do, produce an album that craps as much as most pop music out there.

Or perhaps she saw that real talent really does not pay in the current music industry. Nothing is more evident than the new artists that pops out every year or so, whos voice won't hold a candle without the voice synthesizer. No instrumental talent without the back up band. No songwriting talent if their lives depend on it (or without theMatrix team, or some Norwegian or Swedish tune writers).

So why shouldn't Jewel cash in on this, when so many little teeny poppers are making millions while her previous album sales plunged faster than Michael Jacks' fake nose? Well, it wouldn't be a problem if she make her intention publically know, trading in her artistic integrity. Ofcourse then, those who actually has music taste would call her a sell-out.

On this album, I do believe that Jewel has made a confident and successful crossover to entertain mainstream pop fans. In doing this, she has unfortunately shed a few layers of loyal fans. Yes, its true, in reality sex sells, and jewel cant defend this music as just another one of her albums that has evolved to get fans "lost in the beats" - because it is not. It is clear to me that as a fan (though hot obsessive) of jewels, She has lost some substance. I dont believe that it was Jewels decision even for one minute to change face. Her album sales were sliding and the record company had to do something about it, and at the end of it all, jewel is the one who is forced to defend her music, and her change of genre. It is unfortunate that loyal fans are giving this album such a hard time. People change, whether it's natural or forced. Either way this album isn't a waist of time - and I dont think it's fair to judge this album for what it's not (which is what you fans all seem to be doing.

On to the music. This album I feel is a 3.5 stars. The problem with this album is, as a crossover it has to successfully keep old and loyal fans while also obtaining a wider fanbase. By doing this, she has to stay original, but still change her genre to pop which is really just the same melodies being released over and over again with slighty different cliche lyrics. She cannot do both. So she has opted for the more original, and true lyrics, with the common melodies and catchy beats. In doing so, she has unfortunately paisted herself as just another face in the crowd. She is once again starting from the beginning, but it's alot harder to work your way up to the top in a genre were every1 is saying the same things and writing the same songs (fair enough it happens in every genre, but noticably in pop - and it's not what youre saying, it's how youre saying it!). Jewel hasnt really considered any new ideals. She is still moaning and groaning about the old things, just in a different genre. Her lyrics however still have the cleverly written edge.

Intuition Im afraid is perhaps one of the only more original songs on the album with a good catchy beat. The way the vocals slide on the chorus is what makes it so original. While the rest of the album hosts pleasant listinable songs such as stand, run to you, leave the lights on etc. none are particularly outstanding.

The reason it's so hard to believe Jewel when she says this album is still her, just having a good let go in the beat is that the package and everything else screams teen pop sensation. It is obvious to me that this was a move to get attention. In record industry any publicity (bad or good) really does work wonders with a career, and it has done just that, catching alot more peoples attention. My 3.5 is for a good attempt at pop, with hopeful lyrics, but no particular outstanding effort or edge (except perhaps on intuition)

This is a masterful mix of folk and semi-techno dance. Every song is good and her voice is amazing and sexy. Lyrics include some interesting commentary from an artist who according to many critics has "nothing to say". Can be listened to over and over.

In what many claim to be a very Madonna-esque album, Jewel croons on topics ranging from her intuition to Abercrombie-clad preachers. All this is to an electronically synthesized backdrop, complete with clapping and French accordion. That may be due to the influence of co-producer Lester A. Mendez, who most recently worked with Shakira and Enrique Iglesias.

With the release of `0304,' Jewel raises the proverbial bar once again and proves to her fans that she is still maturing as an artist. Has it really been nearly 10 years since Jewel first questioned our soul-saving skills? On the surface, it seems that the once soft-spoken songstress is gone and in its place, we have a new glittery Jewel. As evidenced in the "Intuition" video, Jewel isn't afraid to shed her folkie skin to reveal her, well, skin, literally. Yet, sensitive fans fear not. Hidden beneath these sultry dance moves, remains the same lyrical prose

The similarities to Madonna become apparent as one listens from track to track. `0304' even has its own song about the land of the free with the same exact title - "America." Instead of versing on soy lattes and pilates, however, Jewel makes a real effort on social commentary. Madonna only wished she could be as lyrically clever. In this very song, she reveals that she wants to change America, but she wouldn't leave it if she could. There are no threats of expatriation here.

That's not to say that there are only upbeat songs assessing the state of society in `0304' (which by the way is the meaning of the numerical title - the album is meant as a snapshot of the times leading up to 2004). In probably one of Jewel's most powerful songs, Jewel lets loose in "Haunted," a song from a male stalker's perspective. Despite the album's clear upbeat theme, Jewel's writing is the same. She still has her earnest yearnings for love ("2 Become 1") and her resolute demands of self-awareness ("Becoming"). This time, however, we see Jewel break out and show her daring and sensuous side at the same time.

Jewel's acoustic simplicity is obviously lacking in this album, but let's face it. It's been lacking since 1998's `Spirit.' While `0304' may be missing Jewel's classic acoustic sound, she more than makes up for it with the instrumental intricacies involved in this album. With a career that has lasted nearly a decade, Jewel once again proves that she is striving for longevity. Perhaps she and Madonna do have more in common than I thought. There is that penchant for reinventing themselves.

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.