Rating:  -
I've liked Jewel and sexually since her major label debut in like 98. This is a much more similar album toi her debut that got her on the MTV spotlight. Jewel certainly is a big sell out, and where's the money they put into it? She has a nice body, voice and can play for a woman which is rare.
Rating:  -
Although I just got this recently, I already notice a lot of the songs to be different than her older work, on a country note, on a romantic note, on a lighter note. She sounds like the Jewel never heard before, and I like it! It might take a while, though, as seen in the rating. So far I have only listened to this once, but I look forward to hearing from it again; I mean, why else would I get it?! My favorite song on here has to be "Till We Run Out of Road" because it reminds of those days when I had to make those transitions in life and just decided to ride one path for the longest time. Oh, it is my latest Jewel CD and I don't think I have made a bad choice at all. I may have fallen for it as much as my older ones and don'y even know it yet. This leaves a decent aftertaste in my mind after the nice food for thought I have been given, and on this album she just may have it right. Keep up the good work Jewel; I am right behind you!
Rating: -
Jewel is one of my favorite artists, after Tori Amos. It's strange that I like them both, because they have completely different styles of music. On her fourth release, Jewel's musical style has become much less minimalistic, with a whole band behind her for most of the songs. Kind of like what Tori Amos did with From The Choirgirl Hotel.
It's interesting how Jewel was seven years older when she made This Way than when she made Pieces of You, and yet her voice sounds much younger. Her voice sounds very childlike on this disc. Her voice also sounds like it's straining a lot more than it used to. She doesn't use her deep voice anymore-which sounds a lot better than her high one. Need I say that her voice does not improve with age?
But the songs are good. My favorite track is Love Me, Just Leave Me Alone, followed by The New Wild West and Everybody Needs Someone Sometime. Jewel may have gone country, but she's still got it.
Rating:  -
I've always enjoyed and admired Jewel as a singer/songwriter and contemporary folk artist, but this impressive album, which I still haven't tired of, has given me a new found respect for her talents and ability to continually evolve and challenge herself as an artist. For those who wrote her off as just another pretty blond singer with some thoughtful folksy tunes, this CD will make you sit up and take notice.
It definately shows a 'Jewel' with a slightly harder, sharper edge, and much more upbeat, urban sound both musically and vocally. Though she has undeniably, always been an intelligent songwriter with a knack for observing human and social foibles, these songs have a less naive, far more mature 'rock chick' feel and sound than previous tracks, whilst still maintaining the country girl freshness and natural sex appeal underneath.
With its very all American 'road trip' kind of feel (I love playing it the car), that travels from white middle class America, to 'trailer trash' and the Southern bible belt, it could almost have been written as a film soundtrack, or accompanied a documentary on tour. Exploring such topics as, religious hypocracy (Jesus Loves You), as well as social poverty and human deprivation,(Wild West), not forgeting the usual pitfalls of love and relationships (Break Me), with a detached but insightful observation that gives the album its edge and originality.
Then there are the more bittingly sarcastic sendups of the human ego and nature (Everybody Needs Someone Sometime, Love Me, Just Leave Me Alone). In fact there is barely a weak track on this Album. 'Standing Still', of a more 'Pop' genre with its catchy bridge and uplifting chorus, is a great opener and first single; 'Do You Want to Play' has a great energy and catchy hook, while 'I Won't Walk Away' is a movingly tender love song very suited to Jewel's beautiful voice. 'Serve the Ego'(a song which appears to be about a kind of ritualistic hedonism in youth culture: "..underneath the disco light everybody's feeling alright. Get on your hands and knees and praise the new deity.." she sings) is another standout track, very sensual and moody, relying on exotic rhythms more than lyrics.
'This Way' is definately a terrific assortment of tracks, borrowing from a variety of influences and inspirations that swing from country and rock to pop and folk. Not just for devoted fans, it continues to show Jewel as a quality singer/songwriter and developing music artist, with many strings to her bow.
Rating: -
If poor production values and a couple of really overwritten songs plagued "pieces of you" then the honesty, earnest and heart of the performer redeemed it. Armed with a ton of promise Jewel moved to her second album and nearly found her voice but was drowned in some polarizing religious overtones. So where to next, an uncomfortable clash of folksy lyrics and pop-music that is "This Way".
Is the album disappointing to those who still hold "pieces" most dear? Yes. But it is also a weak and unbalanced effort.
The issue here with Jewel seems to be that she writes folk and country but wants to have a pop sound. It's an effort that fails here and continues through 0304 and Goodbye Alice in Wonderland.
Her finest moment, Jewel: Unplugged has never been released as an album, it's a shame, because that's who she is as an artist, everything else like this is just an imitation.
Hopefully she'll let go one day and just be Jewel again, not a Pop Dreamer.
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