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1. T. Yap says:

   June 12, 2010 at 6:32 pm

   Prime Cuts: I Love You Forever, Summer Home in Your Arms, Ten

   As a songwriter Jewel has grown in depth and dimension since her 1995 debut “Pieces of You.” Sure she had written classics such as “Hands” and “Foolish Games” but her earlier CDs were uncouth with undisciplined melodic constructions that many of the tracks come across as esoteric and often over indulgent. Since pop radio has given a wide berth to her singles of late, Jewel has made the most sapient decision in moving her sonic zip code to Music Row. With the help of the country music writing community, Jewel has honed her scribal skills to perfection. Save for one track, Jewel penned or co-penned all the cuts here and there’s not a single throwaway filler. Each track here jumps up at you and sticks with you as they are so catchy. Further, Jewel has trawl her lyrical net far enough to tackle a plethora of life issues that these tracks become like close friends with valuable advice to share in our needs. This time round Jewel has enlisted the help of producer Nathan Chapman (who is largely responsible for overseeing Taylor Swift’s CDs). Thus, these tracks sparkle with such commercial shine that they are ready to migrate into the higher echelons of the country chart.

   Thanks to the ingenuity of producer Chapman: Jewel’s girl-ish angelic voice is just the perfect vehicle to carry tunes that bounce with the first flushes of love. Get ready for some heart-swirling moments with the romantic upbeat “I Love You Forever”–a gorgeous treatise of love that is so addictive that you may want to incessantly press the “repeat” button. Love is most beautifully expressed in the almost lullaby-like gentle balladry of “Home in Your Arms.” Also, quite cute is “Ten” (a track Jewel co-wrote with Liz Rose) which finds a forgiving protagonist always counting up to 10 good reasons to forgive her mate after a fight. Current single (which was first culled from the “Valentine’s Day” soundtrack) “Stay Here Forever” is a sizzling ode to forever love made even more seductive with Jewel’s youthful purrs.

   Yet not every song is caught up in love’s euphoria. Jewel returns to her message songs with “What You Are.” This time she addresses the issue of self-image and the need to embrace who we are. “Where You Are” boasts one of the most arresting opening lines which again affirms Jewel’s excellence as a lyricist: “I’m driving around town/Kinda bored, windows rolled down/I turn to notice a girl on a bus stop bench/Dressed to draw attention.” “Satisfied” is satisfyingly sweet–an inspirational tribute to cape diem. The only song Jewel did not have a hand in writing is Rachel Proctor and Mike Mobley’s “As Bad As It Gets.” Here Jewel is given the opportunity to sow her vocal range over this popish big ballad.

   Safe to say there’s no dud on this fine album. However, “Fading” and the recycled “No Good in Goodbye” (first recorded by co-writer Jason Carroll Michael) are a tad more on the so-so side. There’s nothing ropey about them; it’s just they are a notch below what Jewel is capable of. Overall, the energy and passion Jewel exudes are rejuvenating and fresh. And the songs demonstrate wisdom, care and fun. Winsome combinations that make this disc “sweet and wild.”
   
   Rating: 5 / 5
2. Porfie Medina says:

   June 12, 2010 at 6:37 pm

   Jewels new album Sweet and Wild is another beautiful album from this one of a kind voice. I have been listening to Jewels music since 1995 when her first album Pieces of You was released. I have followed her on this amazing journey as I watch and listen to her grow as a artist. Now days Jewel is known as a country artist, but to me and many others (who followed her from the start) she is still Jewel with no labels like coutry, folk, or pop associated with her. Her music has always been more than just those labels. Her music crosses so many different styles its not fair to label her music. Sweet and Wild is a more personal album and is about love and happiness as Jewel herself says. The whole album is great, but the stand out tracks are Fading, What You Are, Satisfied, No More Heartaches, Bad As It Gets, and Stay Here Forever.

   I highly recommend getting the deluxe edition Sweet and Wild [Deluxe Edition] [2 CD] of this album. It will please those early Jewel fans because it has a second CD (titled Sweet and Mild) which has the entire album in Acoustic just like old school Pieces of You Jewel. Both versions are beautiful, but the acoustic version gives a whole new life to the music. I highly suggest getting this amazing and beautiful album from this amazing artist known as Jewel.
   Rating: 5 / 5