Customer Reviews

Spirit

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"Spirit" is an unusual second album, at least to my ear. Her first album with a couple of exceptions was almost like poems set to music, while this second album maintains the poetic lyrics, but this time set to more melodic pieces, and for me the sound has a greater amount of variety for the listener than "Pieces of You". The album focuses on the spiritual side of Jewel, and as such it is a bit of a risk, but for me it paid off as I much prefer this album to her debut, though certainly that is a fine album as well.

Jewel is fearless in putting her philosophies and spiritualism into the songs on this album. Opening with the never-give-up "Deep Water" the album moves right along with "What's Simple Is True" which has the optimistic message that one continues to learn and grow throughout their life. Next up is "Hands", which is a song about her faith. She returns to the subject of love with "Kiss The Flame", which is followed by another very optimistic piece "Down So Long". "Innocence Maintained" again goes to one of her philosophies and general optimism, even in the face of such horrible events.

"Jupiter" is another song which looks at Jewel's philosophy on love "neither timid nor tame" and how it makes her feel. "Fat Boy" is the shortest piece on the album, and the one song which is rather weak. The message is a good one, but the music doesn't hold up when compared to the rest of the album. "Barcelona" is a bit different as it deals with loneliness, but even when confronted with it she is looking forward to a time when she is free to fly. "Life Uncommon" is another song about her faith and the strength that comes from it. "Do You" perhaps doesn't fit lyrically with the rest of the album, but it is a strong piece musically, and it has several messages for society as well. "Absence of Fear" is an extraordinary piece, simple musically, and yet quite beautiful both lyrically and musically. The album closes with the hidden track "This Little Bird" sung by Jewel's mother, Nedra Carroll, backed by Jewel. A nice piece, and a good close to a very fine album.

This special release of the album also comes with a second CD with five live tracks. Three of the tracks are live versions of pieces on this album, and two are live versions of tracks from her first album. It opens with "Down So Long", followed by "What's Simple is True", "Foolish Games", "Do You", and "Who Will Save Your Soul?" It is a nice bonus disc, but nothing extra-special.

Overall, this is a very strong follow-up to her debut. Jewel shows no fear in opening herself up even more, if that is possible, to her inner thoughts and feelings than she did on "Pieces of You". I feel the music is much better on this album and suits the lyrics more than it did on her first album. Though it is certainly not perfect, it is well worth a listen and almost all the tracks have grown on me on repeated listening.