June 3, record release day, was all planned out. I was to buy it on sale at Target (only $9.99!) in the morning, go to TV production class, take a Geography quiz and listen to a brand new CD during the Geography professor's pointless lecture. I waited patiently for my first listening and tore open the CD wrapping. After getting past a cover I could've made better, the "2"s and "U"s in the titles and the strangeness of a shockingly neon pink disc; I placed it in my lavender CD player, stuck the headphones in my ears and pressed play. Synthesized hip-hop/pop beats greeted me.

(01) Stand -- A -- catchy, fun, good starter song
(02) Run 2 U -- B -- "Ray of Light"/"Escape" feel
(03) Intuition -- B -- fun lyrics
(04) Leave the Lights On -- D -- annoying attempt at jazz, she can do better
(05) 2 Find U -- B -- reminds me of "Standing Still"
(06) Fragile Heart -- A/B -- cute, innocent, can hear her scatting the end in a concert ala WWSYS
(07) Doin' Fine -- A -- carefree, should be on a soundtrack for a teenage chick flick
(08) 2 Become 1 -- A -- sweet love song, single potential
(09) Haunted -- A/B -- creepy view of a stalker, Janis Joplin feel end
(10) Sweet Temptation -- A+ -- extremely fun! Britpop vibe
(11) Yes U Can -- A+ -- extremely fun! retro, single potential
(12) U & Me = Love -- A/B -- unique
(13) America -- A/B -- seems like a response to "We're Not Living in America," good lyrics, don't like the electronic end thing
(14) Becoming -- C -- bland
(Bonus) C -- Nothing spectacular

What I love best about Jewel is her ability to make an album with different sounds that stray from making carbon copy CD's. She changes. Yet, her voice can carry the differences. Her lyrics pretty much stay static and slightly trite but her voice makes every note important and heartfelt. Each note is there for a reason when she sings. Her voice adapts to capture the emotion of each song. It is this voice, which has carried her through 1995's folksy Pieces of You, 1998's soothing Spirit, 2002's country-esque This Way and now 2003's 80's pop/rock/pop 0304, that keeps me listening.

I must admit I'm disappointed the punk song she'd said she'd written didn't make it onto the album. :)

~* June 04, 2003 @ 12:23 am *~