Don't let the album cover fool you, and don't let the song titles and liner notes (where every "to" is "2" and you is "u") worry you either, this is the same Jewel that sang "You Were Meant for Me" in 1997. However, this is 2003, and we now have a different kind of Jewel: one that's glammed-up, sexed up, and more effervescent than the person who got swallowed up in her own dreariness back in the 90s. Quite frankly, it's really refreshing to hear something different from Jewel, as her first three albums stuck in the same, staid pattern with saccharine ballads and potential cross-over hits galore. Instead of rewriting "Pieces of You" for a fourth time, she decided that a change of pace was needed. It's a good thing too, since she's not only created one of the best pop releases of 2003, but she's created what is arguably the best album of her career. With the help of Lester Mendez, "0304" is a terrific little dance-pop record, but what makes it so terrific is the fact that Jewel has a little bit more on her mind than just dancing with the lights down. The album has a shiny commercial sheen, but you can be assured that the insubstantial lyrics, glossiness, and random pop culture references are all executed with her tongue firmly in cheek. Unlike other political-themed albums of 2003, most notably Madonna's "American Life", Jewel delivers every lyric with intense purpose, without ever playing like she's preaching. She's dived full body into this cross-over move, and through most of "0304", it works. It has a blissful surface pleasure, but the hooks are still as ingratiating as good pop should be. Her calm, breathy voice works well with the breezy electronics and insistent dance beats. Not only that, but she successfully manages to blend this new pop sound with her old work, and successfully finds a happy medium between the two. The Nelly Furtado-esque "Leave the Lights On" uses Jazz trumpets to deliver its foundation, while the instant hit "Intuition" offers accordions mixed with full, multi-purpose choruses to deliver its silky hook. It's not a "modern interpretation of big band music" (not even close), but "0304" fulfills its purpose: multi-purpose pop that's as intelligent as it is enjoyable (another thing that Madonna couldn't grasp with "American Life"). But most of all, it's the best kind of pop imaginable: it's music that can be taken as just surface pleasure, but can also adjust your world view once the album is over. "0304" will shock long-time fans of this singer-songwriter, but nevertheless, it's Jewel's first album that's just a sheer joy to hear.
Recommended Tracks in Bold:
1. Stand 2. Run 2 U 3. Intuition
4. Leave the Lights On 5. 2 Find U 6. Fragile Heart
7. Doin’
Fine 8.
2 Become 1 9. Haunted
10. Sweet Temptation 11. Yes U Can 12. U & Me=Love
13. America 14.
Becoming
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