Customer Reviews

Goodbye Alice in Wonderland

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Three years after the stylistic departure of her last album 0304, Jewel returns in winning style with her 6th album, Goodbye Alice in Wonderland. Weaving her introspective lyrics with fresh and exciting songwriting, Jewel produces her finest album since Pieces of You. You would think that with 25 million albums sold, a successful poetry collection, roles in several major films, and a great romance with rodeo star Ty Murray, Jewel would be happily looking to the future. Instead Jewel looks to the past, opening up her life and rise to fame with a critical and exploring eye.

Long Slow Ride is a track where Jewel's positively sensual vocals clash intriguingly with the dark lyrical themes of falling downwards and loss. This darkness slides right into the outstanding acoustic title track, Goodbye Alice in Wonderland. Here Jewel points directly at herself, noting that "I'm embarrassed to say, the rest is rock and roll cliche..I hit the bottom and reached the top." where "fame is filled with spoiled children." Harshly honest, she wraps her criticisms in comforting melodies and her gentle voice. Jewel faces the uncertainty of adult life on one of the best tracks, Stephenville, TX, as she sings of "trying to figure out who I am..now that the stardust has turned to sand..and the sand turned to stone...on the star making machine.", but she realizes that she's "got nothing to lose..i'm an entertainer." Jewel is learning that she only has to be herself to be appreciated and happy.

This themes reappear subtly throughout the remainder of the album. The incredibly catchy commercial pop of Again and Again, Only One Two, and Words Get In The Way reveal snippets of this lyrical theme in addition to highly addictive melodies. Jewel also takes some stylistic risks with tracks like Satellite, a slinky and funky critique of shallow California lifestyles, Good Day(Clean), which combines a fascinating spoken word vocal with a bouncy rhythm, and the gentle and calming acoustic Last Dance Rodeo. Closing tracks Where You Are and 1000 Miles Away cap off the album perfectly and bring to mind Jewel's earliest works.

Co-producer Rob Cavallo, who has produced hit albums with the Goo Goo Dolls and Green Day, ensures a cohesive sound, with the right amount of strings and electric guitar to balance the acoustic guitar that is Jewel's hallmark. The album offers some of the year's best pop-rock commercial tracks as well as intriguing and complex acoustic and folk-country songs. There is little filler on this album; almost each track could be a single. Goodbye Alice in Wonderland is an enjoyable, fun album that is a welcome return for the "modern day troubadour" that we love. Highly Recommended and on the short list for 2006's Top 5 albums.

A.G. Corwin
St.Louis, MO

I actually got this album today and it's extraordinary. As I expected.

Jewel is fascinating. Most artists today makes one great album, and then fails with the follow-up, because it sounds too much or too little like the debut album. But not Jewel. Each of her 6 albums has its very own sound that makes Jewel interesting, but still, there's something I can't quite put my finger on, that makes the listener recognize Jewel's spirit in each song. Sometimes she also displays a very strange sense of humor that's simply irresistable.

Now for Goodbye Alice in Wonderland. I love it, each and every song. The title track is very special to me, because I can relate to the "journey" she describes. Only One Too sounds like it could have been performed by one of those rude 20th-century-girl-groups. Fragile Heart was actually one of my least favourite tracks on 0304, but this version is much better.

Basically, this album is romantic, but it definitely has up-tempo songs. I'm also amazed by her voice, or should I say voices, because she has a wide range of nuances that she uses very skillfully. She has differed between these nuances earlier, but not within songs the same way that she does in this album. Again and Again is an example in which this is more obvious.

This album is worth every cent many times over, my favourite buy this year, and possibly this century.

I have had a long musical relationship with Jewel. I feel like she's been a part of my life forever. That's not the reality, but it is true that she is very much responsible for getting me into music. I'm a college student now and music is a huge part of my life. Everything from the Beatles to the Clash to Tori Amos is beautiful and timeless to my ears and I will continue to nurse my addiction to CDs for the rest of my life. None of this would be true if it weren't for Jewel.

I grew up liking music pretty much the same amount that any little kid does. When I was very young, I used to love to sing along with Raffi songs (like "Baby Beluga" and "Apples and Bananas"). I have great childhood memories of riding in the car while my parents listened to the Allman Brothers Band. My first musical obsession was, rather unfortunately, the Spice Girls. My father, bless his heart, even took me to see them in concert. However, I didn't really start to love and NEED music in my life until I discovered Jewel. It wasn't "Pieces of You" that did it for me. I was way too young when it came out to be a fan. I was introduced to Jewel by listening to "Spirit." I bought it on a whim one day in Seattle and I listened to it on the car as we drove home. It was like nothing I had ever heard before.

That album-"Spirit"- pretty much got me through middle school. I have internalized it like you wouldn't believe. I know every note of that thing. I listened to it when things were going well for me and I listened to it when I was having a hard time. It was my emotional oasis. I went on to buy "Pieces of You" and realized I was very familiar with the singles off of it and didn't even know it. I bought "This Way" and "0304" the days they came out. I saw Jewel in concert in August 2002 and it was amazing. I've grown up since then. I've listened to a ton of music and Jewel is no longer my favorite artist...but she will always have her own little place in my heart. She was the first musician who meant something to me and I will continue to buy all of her albums faithfully. All right, let's talk in specifics now that I've gushed for awhile.

"Goodbye Alice in Wonderland" is Jewel's latest album. It came out in May (and, yes, I bought it the day it came out) but I'm not reviewing it until now because I wanted to get to know it really well. Now that I don't worship the ground Jewel walks on (as I did in middle school) I can listen to this album objectively. And with each listen, it just becomes even better for me. Jewel's voice is still beautiful. She has this amazing ability to be wispy and delicate one moment and to cut right to the bone with her voice the next. Her lyrics continue to be very straightforward and friendly. Jewel always just feels like a friend talking to you. And the songs...the songs are just plain beautiful.

Jewel has said that she arranged this songs in a cycle and I can really feel that whenever I listen to it, even if it is hard to put your finger on exactly what it is. This album basically tells the story of Jewel as she searched for fame and fortune and eventually realized that love is what she needs most of all. I'll just finish up by saying what I think each song represents in this cycle. Just remember that every one of them is outstanding from a melodic and emotional point of view (with my personal favorites being "Stephenville, TX," "1000 Miles Away" and the title track):

1. "Again and Again"- She is in a relationship that, though rocky, will probably survive. She is willing to fight for it.
2. "Long Slow Slide"- The first in a series of four songs about losing faith in celebrity and Hollywood. She becomes disillusioned with the world of show business and her relationship begins to crumble, leaving her feeling helpless.
3. "Goodbye Alice in Wonderland"- She comes to terms with the fact that her life in show business has turned out NOT to be the fairy tale she envisioned it to be. She knows that love, to, is not a fairy tale.
4. "Good Day"- The third in the series in which she lies awake at night trying to think of reasons why she continues to live life as a singer and why she is staying in a relationship that isn't what it used to be. She is optimistic, but fragile.
5. "Satellite"- Her final dismissal of the Hollywood life.
6. "Only One Too"- She realizes that the man she is with is the love of her life, despite any problems they may be having.
7. "Words Get In the Way"- She tries to express these feelings to her man, but it may be too late.
8. "Drive to You"- She travels a great distance to reconnect with her lover and tell him that he is the thing that is worth living for.
9. "Last Dance Rodeo"- She and her lover reconnect. This is basically the sex moment on the album.
10. "Fragile Heart"- A symbolic reworking of a song from the "0304" album. Jewel's heart is still fragile as they try to start anew in their relationship and she tries to start anew as an artist.
11. "Stephenville, TX"- Jewel's coming out song as a new kind of artist. She has been playing this song for years and it is her autobiography set to music. She looks back on where she's come from.
12. "Where You Are"- The final triumph of her love over all.
13. "1000 Miles Away"- Despite the fact that love won, she still has to travel for her career. This is about dealing with the distance and knowing that they are close emotionally.

That's what I hear when I listen, anyway. This is a beautiful, riveting album and I'm sad that it didn't perform well. Check out her appearance on "Fishbowl." She's still got it!

Quite a change from 2003’s “0304”, this sixth album from Jewel slows down the pace considerably, mixing pop, folk and a generous helping of country. There’s a lot of music here for your money, running nearly an hour, with three tracks that are more than five minutes long.

First single “Again and Again” is a standard pop ballad, but done Jewel-style with that little yodel. You’ll love the lyrics of this one, and probably play it again and again and again:

“But you, you're always on my mind.
It's like this all the time.
Say it's cause you're mine
All mine...”

Second track “Long Slow Slide” is just as the title implies, a long, slow, touching country-style ballad, and is followed by the title track, which is more folk-oriented, but with a lot of personal reflection. The chorus of “Good Day” is one you can almost hear Melissa Etheridge singing, and “Satellite” sounds more like a Shawn Mullins song.

One of the best tracks is “Only One Too”, with its excellent chorus, and then comes “Words Get in the Way”, another good song with country roots. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but “Drive To You” reminds me a lot of “I Drove All Night”, and this one is another attention-getting track.

“Last Dance Rodeo” is, as you may have guessed, a full fledged country song, and the longest on the album at just over 6 minutes – too slow and too long for my taste. If you’re in the mood for more slow music, stay tuned for “Fragile Heart” which sounds more like vintage Jewel and the folk-country auto-biographical “Stephenville, TX”.

Winding down the album are “Where You Are” and “1000 Miles Away”, and by the time you get this far you feel emotionally drained, having shared some very personal moments and a lot of angst with Jewel from various phases of her life.

Her most revealing album so far, long on the trademark poetic storytelling, and one for quiet listening moments.


Amanda Richards, May 2, 2006

Jewel's career has touted many different faces, themes, and sounds for its singer/songwriter. I've been listening to her since she burst out when I was a wee 4 years old (no joke) and I've never parted ways with her.

There's something about her that gets me everytime. Not to mention, I own all of her albums. Each of them has some quality that seperates it from its predecessors and followers. "Pieces of You", the unbeaten debut album, was filled with introspection, and was recorded very raw. Her Sophomore album "Spirit" was dark, but filled with religious symbolism. There was the Christmas album "Joy" and in 2001, we saw the arrival of "This Way", her most country-style outing to date.

Then "0304" came out. Jewel fans ran away screaming when they saw the gorgeous blonde shaking her rump in the "Intuition" video, but I gave it a shot. Oddly enough, the album is just as great as all of her other works. It's just very up-beat. You can dance to it, but it's still Jewel at its core.

And then she came back with this. I bought "Goodbye Alice in Wonderland" the day it came out and it hasn't left my cd player since. In the liner notes of the album, Jewel writes "This is my most personal work since Pieces of you", and it shows.

The album showcases a woman who has grown significantly and isn't afraid to reveal herself to her listeners.

The lead single and album opener "Again and Again" was co-written by rock super-producer John Shanks (Ashlee Simpson, Michelle Branch) and is very different from the rest of the album in its pop sensibilities. It's a pretty obvious song. "you're always on my mind, it's like this all the time". A good love song, but a bit uninspired. Still beautiful, though.

The second track "Long Slow Slide" contains warblings about the circus compared to the ups & downs of love. "you laugh half-heartedly at the punchline, not realizing they've made you the joke." It's understated double-meanings are the key to this song. Definetely one of my favorite tracks on the album.

"Goodbye Alice in Wonderland" is the song that always manages to get my friends to buy the record. Containing many references to stardom and the troubles attained therein, the title track reveals a Jewel who isn't immune to the soul-searching you do when you hit the big time. "I hate to say the rest is rock'n'roll cliche', I hit the bottom, when I reached the top." It's beautiful and the lyrics are extremely catchy.

The following track contains some lightly-sung, almost poetry like lyrics a'la Bob Dylan. "Good Day" is a song of self-assurance when you wake up in the middle of the night wondering what the day to come will bring. "It's gonna be alright, 'cos I'm alright with me" Jewel cries as she tries to reassure herself that everything is fine. Outstanding and upbeat, the song is very old school Jewel.

"Satellite" is one of the most poigyant tracks on the album. It addresses a lot of the problems with our society. Jewel compares satellites to broken hearts and the cover-ups we use to hide our sorrow. It's surprisingly fast, but manages to clock-in at 5:05. Catchy and well-delivered.

Ah, the pain of loving someone who doesn't want to love you monogomously in return. "Only One Too" is another John Shanks co-creation that features an almost screaming Jewel trying to make her lover realize his wrongdoings. "I'll love you when I am the only one too!" It's a pretty simple song, but it's message and beat are very catchy and angsty.

"Words Get in the Way" is very easy to relate to. The title says it all. The song is about when you have trouble telling someone how you really feel about them, especially when they're not in your life a lot anymore. "tell your boss you're dead, and let's go back to bed" is probably my favorite line in the whole track. Just amazing.

The next track is probably my favorite on "Goodbye". "Drive to You" is a very 'on the road' kind of track. "when did my heart first feel this way, being alone used to be just fine now life without you is just passing time". It's so beautiful lyrically and musically it's hard not to love this song. "So I drive to you tonight, I was blind now I have sight, I couldn't leave you even if I tried - your heart beats inside of me."

The "Last Dance Rodeo" is a song about loneliness covered by promiscuity. The song tells the tale of that girl at the Rodeo who tries to capture men like cattle because of insecurities rather than to get involved. "You're no longer human, you're an insatiable whore" is one of the most "Pieces of You" lines in the entire album. "What you need is a heart to call home" Jewel cries out during the chorus.

"Fragile Heart" follows. A track re-hashed from "0304", Jewel said on her website she felt it 'deserved a second chance', and honestly, it's better on this album than on the previous one. The tempo is better, the guitars are less chaotic, and the lyric delivery is more serene. I'm glad she re-recorded this one, I liked the lyrics on the original, but the music was all wrong.

The next track "Stephenville, TX" is about where Jewel is at in her life now. Really introspective and featuring lyrics aimed directly at her relationship with Ty, she speaks of how she moved away to live with her boyfriend and compares taking things out of the closet to the temporarity of everything in life. It's got a great beat and features some more Bob Dylan poetry in which Jewel calls herself a 'blonde bombshell diety'.

"Where Are You" features a somewhat spanish guitar line with Jewel singing strong over the music about wondering why your lover is so avoidant, but no matter what you'll always end up where they are. Beautiful and featuring some of Jewel's best lyrical delivery on the album, it's destined to bea Jewel classic.

Album closer "1000 Miles Away" only has a guitar and a few piano notes with Jewel's voice sounding almost as if it were recorded live, the song is about no matter how far away you are from someone you're always with them. Beautiful and simplistic, the song is a perfect way to end the album.

Jewel's most romantically-centered album to date, "Goodbye Alice in Wonderland" showcases a very grown-up Jewel making the kind of beautiful, relatable music we've come to expect her to make.

I can't stress how badly people need to buy this album. It's going to be a clssic for sure.

Jewel through many a curveball back in 2003 when she released 0304, which took her trademark confessional lyrics and set them against a mostly upbeat(and occasionally dance-driven)beat, much to the consternation of many of her fans. I was in the minority, as it was in my opinion her best album to that point, and follow-up GOODBYE ALICE IN WONDERLAND is on an even level of quality with that disc. Returning more to the sound of her THIS WAY album, Jewel again keeps things rather upbeat(musically) this time around, not thanks to dance backdrops but with the addition of a slightly harder rock sound, probably due to producer Rob Cavallo's hand in things. It's a good fit for the singer, who rocks out harder than ever on such tracks as "Only One Too", "Works Get In The Way", and "Drive To You". It also provides her with her most accessible set of songs to date, which is a shame considering that the album has been all but ignored since its' release--as was noted elsewhere, nearly every song here could have been a single. Too bad her record company didn't have the good sense to see that.

It seems like it took forever for Jewel to release this album. I really like all of the songs, but I was a fan before. To me, this CD has more of her original, older sound. As usual, her lyrics are inspiring.

[Note: I am a professional music critic. My review hereunder was published in the Jordan Times last September. It is not copyrighted however.]

An authentic Jewel

By Jean-Claude Elias

She's young, blond, good-looking and fashionable, plays the guitar and possesses a superb soprano-like voice. And yet Jewel is unlike the too many female singers who today would fit the above, somewhat commercially pre-formatted profile. I found at least two reasons why the lady is truly different from the crop: her songs are as sincere as they can be and, in a certain way, conjure up the rebellious sound and words of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and the like. Not to mention that she writes her own material - not a minor point.

"Goodbye Alice in Wonderland", Jewel's latest CD, released just a few months ago, continues the trend she started back in 1995 with her stunning "Pieces of You" debut album. The artist is still smartly provocative, never shocking. Most of her lyrics are introspective. "Piece of You" was heavily centered on Jewel's voice and guitar performance. The new disc has a more elaborate, wider instrumental structure, the singer being backed up now by a first-class band. The musicians take the music to the edge of folk-rock with some songs played with distorted guitar riffs and chords that even Jon Bon Jovi wouldn't deny.

Jewel hasn't change her singing style - why should she? She easily moves from low notes to higher ones while slightly changing the colour of the sound on the way up. It's a bit as if one voice was doing the low notes and another voice the higher ones, while maintaining an essential consistency. The 13 tracks cover a good range of moods, from poetic, slow and soft ones like "Long Slow Slide" to heavier pieces like "Only one too". "Drive to You" for example is a pleasant, Jewel-flavoured country song.

Throughout the whole album Jewel's distinctive, intelligent, crystal-ringing acoustic guitar playing ensures a sense of unity. On the title track "Goodbye Alice in Wonderland" Jewel sings "...trying to think about my life, my youth scattered along the highway, hotel rooms in headlights, I've made a living with a song, guitar as my companion..."

Jewel - her full name is Jewel Kilcher - is an accomplished songwriter. She wrote her first songs when she was still a teenager. The type of humour and sarcasm she sometimes makes use of when writing is one of the ingredients that makes her songs unique. This is not without reminding us of another great female American songwriter and vocalist, Suzanne Vega. But whereas Jewel hails from Texas, Vega is a New-Yorker, hence a difference in style.

If I had to select a handful of women songwriters-singers who have left their imprint on the pop music scene in the past ten years or so, Jewel would certainly be included. The entire CD shows how much the musician has matured since her debut while preserving the essential qualities that made her a real star, which certainly is here to stay. This is her 6th album and the technical production is second to none. The programming of the 13 tracks constitutes a listening sequence where songs are varied in tempo and mood, making you want to play the album in one go; and even in a loop.

Jewel's incredible club versions of "Only One Too" forced me to reexamine this album in its entirety. "Goodbye Alice in Wonderland" has always been a stunner; a luscious mix of sounds from start to finish, presenting the chronicles of Jewel's life, whether good or bad. More than half a year after its release, the album has lost none of its appeal, and continues to be a personal favorite of mine, despite my massive collection of music.

It's not just the individual songs that impress. The general flow and presentation of the album is flawless. Jewel swings gracefully from sugary ballads to rock-tinged anthems and foot-tapping tunes sprinkled with country twang. Every element of Jewel's past albums is present. But more than ever, Jewel returns to her roots as a blunt and brilliant storyteller. She said it herself: this album is by far her most personal. And she reveals her deepest thoughts to the listener with gusto and enthusiasm.

Again and Again:
This is perhaps Jewel's most commercially appealing ballad. Her past successes, though beautiful, never had quite the catchiness this tune gives off. There is no hint of rasp or edge here: Jewel sings through the song in her classic, sweet, and alluring tone. The acoustic guitar sparkles in repeated arpeggios. Everything about this song is kind, warm and inviting: it's a very optimistic song. 5/5

Long Slow Slide:
Once again, the acoustic guitar serenades the listener during the introduction of the second track. The lyrical structure of this song reminds me of "Who Will Save Your Soul". Only Jewel can get away with rhyming words that normally would sound horrible if sung by anyone else. She has a knack for sounding natural in her songs, as if she is making everything up as she goes. This song is no exception. Musically, it sounds very much like the opening track. However, the lyrics create an entirely new mysterious and darker disposition. 5/5

Goodbye Alice in Wonderland:
The title track, it's the most heartfelt and detailed story of Jewel's life. It's lengthy, but doesn't lack for intensity and spirit. Gradually swelling from sweet to powerful, Jewel displays her vocal talents beautifully here. Reflecting on lost loves, dwelling in the uncertainty of becoming a celebrity, and finding the path back to her heart; rest assured that Jewel knows who she is, where she's been and how it's affected her. There are some gorgeous string arrangements to be heard here as well. 5/5

Good Day:
More like a poem than a song, I found myself repeating this immediately after my first listen. It's cute, but not overly fluffy. It's mysterious, but still optimistic. Classy, sensitive, and charming, Jewel opens up her wants and desires. "Say I'm like the desert, just way hotter." Many of the lyrics are pure brilliance and entirely `Jewel.' Yet another dynamic tune with both soft and loud sections, it's unpredictable and lovely. 5/5

Satellite:
Something about this song reminds me of Jewel's "0304" album. There are rich synth chords sprinkled here and there and it's a bit more structured than some of the other tunes. Still, Jewel's lyrics are as original and alive as ever. The song represents Jewel's observations of Hollywood and Los Angeles, where many newcomers hope to find success utilizing their new tanned skin, sun-bleached hair and toned surfer bodies. Jewel perfectly captures the spirit of California with this tune. The last minute or so of this song is fantastic. 5/5

Only One Too:
Opening with a rougher edge and heavier guitars, I was taken aback and began to wonder how this would play out. But as Jewel's voice snuck in with its soothing and sensual tone, the entire song was smoothed. Putting her foot down, Jewel expresses her weariness regarding a relationship in which she's expected to remain faithful while he considers it a casual affair. She confidently stands her ground with lyrics like "yes you're good, but not so good I can't see." A perfect rock/pop anthem for bold women, I highly recommend the remix single of this song as well. 5/5

Words Get In The Way:
This is one of those songs that oozes sweetness and charm. Catchy and alluring, there's nothing too difficult about this: it doesn't often happen, but Jewel avoids deep and thought provoking territory, lyrically. The ironic thing is while Jewel confesses at the end of each chorus, "the words get in the way," she successfully communicates her thoughts and wants with her lover throughout the verses with classic lines like, "tell your boss you're dead; lets just stay in bed." It's a little more generic than some of the other songs, but is well done nonetheless. 4/5

Drive To You:
The verses of this song are, in my opinion, not to be missed. The chorus is great too, but something about the lyrics in the verses is enchanting. The bridge, in which Jewel pleads she "can't stop, won't stop," has a massive crescendo. The now-familiar formula of rich acoustic guitars, shuffling beats, and dynamic vocals feels extremely comfortable here. Jewel's longing and desire are obvious. There's nothing in particular that makes this song wonderful. As a whole though, it real stands out. 5/5

Last Dance Rodeo:
Lyrics, lyrics, lyrics. If I could choose one song off the entire album with the best lyrics, it would be this one. The words are so colorful and vibrant and creative, but very real. Musically, it sounds like something you could listen to while riding a walking horse through the open prairie. It's got a lazy beat. During the bridge, a jazzy trumpet makes a brief appearance. Longer than most of the other tunes, it's something you'll want to listen to during those quiet times in the bath or on the back porch. 5/5

Fragile Heart:
An updated version of "0304's" charming jazz and electronic song, this new take has a bit more impact and punch, especially during the bridge in which the song modulates briefly into a higher key. It's a lot like "Drive To You" in style. In some ways, I enjoy this new version more than the original, though a bit of the sweetness has disappeared and the whistling that could be heard in the bridge is no longer present. Still, this stands on its own as a great song. 5/5

Stephenville, TX:
Far more country than anything else on the album, this song shows off Jewel's twang. There's even a harmonica in the second verse and a piano can occasionally be heard playing trills. Jewel reminisces about the journey of her life, how much she has changed, and the realities of what will never change. She also mentions her boyfriend, and that he is the reason she's currently in Stephenville. Some songs envelope one emotion, but Jewel tells an entire story here. 4/5

Where You Are:
This song is both melodic and angelic, and Jewel sings with a smoother and softer tone which perfectly compliments the dreamy musical arrangement. She's given the opportunity to sing many long vowels and to open up her voice here. The beat in this song consists of hand drums and soft pats on bongos. Many guitars are layered to produce an inviting and earthy feel. Still, one gets the feeling of flying or floating in the open sea while listening to this. It's just a very nice song. 5/5

1000 Miles Away:
Stripped bare of most studio equipment, Jewel serenades the listener with her raw vocals, guitar, a quiet piano and the occasional wispy chord. This is the song that will reassure everyone that Jewel can still perform like no other, giving listeners goosebumps simply by plucking a few strings and singing along poetically. This has "Pieces of You" all over it. And if I'm not mistaken, Jewel has been performing this song for years in front of live audiences. Those who have never heard it live are blessed to have it here. It's the best song on the album, by far. It could make you cry. It's that good. 6/5

Jewel never ceases to tug at the heartstrings of the listener. She does it with class and elegance on this record. She's still unsure. She's still spunky, opinionated and serious. She's just a little older, and perhaps a little wiser. Every album the woman has made prior to this has brought her to this point. And though they've all been excellent, this one stands out as one of her absolute best.

Confessional folk-rock singer-songwriter Jewel has always delivered albums containing some great, memorable singles with the remainder being lots and lots of filler; her latest offering does not follow the same suit as previous releases, though. Instead, the album is the most consistent in Jewel's ten year career. From the enchanting opener "Again and Again" to fan-favorite "Drive To You," to the beautiful "Words Get In The Way" and the sugary sweet delight "Where You Are," this disc is far more enjoyable and engaging than any of its predecessors. Sure, it has its missteps as evident in the long slow slide that is "Long Slow Slide," but the remainder of Jewel's new record is strong, consistent and highly entertaining.