Disco de Jewel: “0304 [Australia Bonus Track]”

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.

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!

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)

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"

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