Goodbye Alice in Wonderland [CD]

Quite a change from 2003’s “0304”, this sixth album from Jewel slows down the pace considerably, mixing pop, folk and a generous helping of country. There’s a lot of music here for your money, running nearly an hour, with three tracks that are more than five minutes long.

First single “Again and Again” is a standard pop ballad, but done Jewel-style with that little yodel. You’ll love the lyrics of this one, and probably play it again and again and again:

“But you, you're always on my mind.

It's like this all the time.

Say it's cause you're mine

All mine...”

Second track “Long Slow Slide” is just as the title implies, a long, slow, touching country-style ballad, and is followed by the title track, which is more folk-oriented, but with a lot of personal reflection. The chorus of “Good Day” is one you can almost hear Melissa Etheridge singing, and “Satellite” sounds more like a Shawn Mullins song.

One of the best tracks is “Only One Too”, with its excellent chorus, and then comes “Words Get in the Way”, another good song with country roots. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but “Drive To You” reminds me a lot of “I Drove All Night”, and this one is another attention-getting track.

“Last Dance Rodeo” is, as you may have guessed, a full fledged country song, and the longest on the album at just over 6 minutes – too slow and too long for my taste. If you’re in the mood for more slow music, stay tuned for “Fragile Heart” which sounds more like vintage Jewel and the folk-country auto-biographical “Stephenville, TX”.

Winding down the album are “Where You Are” and “1000 Miles Away”, and by the time you get this far you feel emotionally drained, having shared some very personal moments and a lot of angst with Jewel from various phases of her life.

Her most revealing album so far, long on the trademark poetic storytelling, and one for quiet listening moments.

Amanda Richards

Appropreately titled 'Goodbye Alice In Wonderland' as the departure of Jewel from her label Atlantic for whom she has been affiliated with since her fantastic debut in 1995.'Goodbye Alice In Wonderland' takes it back to the 'Pieces Of You' roots with her autobiographical way of songwriting a more deeper and personal album than her 2003 disapointment (for me) that was '0304'.

1.Again And Again - This is one of my favourite songs from the album it's an upbeat soft tempo ballad i love the way she sings on this track, one of the best songs shes written for some years now. A song about trying to denying that you love someone and denying it 'again and again' but you just can't very sweet song and she looked beautiful in the video. 10/10

2.Long Slide Down - More of a sullen song is just as the title implies, a long, slow, touching country-style ballad. Only Jewel can get away with rhyming words that normally would sound horrible if sung by anyone else. She has a knack for sounding natural in her songs, as if she is making everything up as she goes. I love the lower tone in her voice another favourite 10/10

3.Goodbye Alice In Wonderland - I gotta admit when i first picked up the album i thought the album title was silly but then i listened to this song and i loved it! it's the most heartfelt and detailed story of Jewel's life. It's lengthy, but doesn't lack for intensity and spirit. Gradually swelling from sweet to powerful, Jewel displays her vocal talents beautifully here. 10/10

4.Good Day - This was released as a single which i'm not really a fan of it's in more of a poem structure than a song the chorus is fantastic though i'm not gonna deny it's just one of those that you can't help but to sing along to it's just the verses...I hate the way she sings 'em the song has a great message though no matter what your going through,as long as your 'good' with yourself you'll get through 8/10

5.Satellite - There are rich synth chords sprinkled here and there and it's a bit more structured than some of the other tunes. Still, Jewel's lyrics are as original and alive as ever. The song represents Jewel's observations of Hollywood and Los Angeles, where many newcomers hope to find success utilizing their new tanned skin, sun-bleached hair and toned surfer bodies.Reminded me so much of Sheryl Crow's album C'mon,C'mon most notable the song 'Soak Up The Sun' its fantastically sunny! 10/10

6.Only One Too - The guitar riff at the start is more stronger,edgier and darker than her usual stuff a bit more radio-friendly than the other stuff

perfect rock/pop anthem for bold women, I highly recommend the remix single of this song as well. 8/10

7.Words Get In The Way - This is one of those songs that oozes sweetness and charm. Catchy and alluring, there's nothing too difficult about this: it doesn't often happen, but Jewel avoids deep and thought provoking territory, lyrically. The ironic thing is while Jewel confesses at the end of each chorus, "the words get in the way," she successfully communicates her thoughts and wants with her lover throughout the verses with classic lines like, "tell your boss you're dead; lets just stay in bed." It's a little more generic than some of the other songs, but is well done nonetheless. 10/10

8.Drive To You - The verses of this song are, in my opinion, not to be missed. The chorus is great too, but something about the lyrics in the verses is enchanting. The bridge, in which Jewel pleads she "can't stop, won't stop," has a massive crescendo. The now-familiar formula of rich acoustic guitars, shuffling beats, and dynamic vocals feels extremely comfortable here. Jewel's longing and desire are obvious. There's nothing in particular that makes this song wonderful. As a whole though, it real stands out. 10/10

9.Last Dance Rodeo - Lyrics, lyrics, lyrics. If I could choose one song off the entire album with the best lyrics, it would be this one. The words are so colorful and vibrant and creative, but very real. Musically, it sounds like something you could listen to while riding a walking horse through the open prairie. It's got a lazy beat. During the bridge, a jazzy trumpet makes a brief appearance. Longer than most of the other tunes, it's something you'll want to listen to during those quiet times in the bath or on the back porch. 10/10

10.Fragile Heart - An updated version of "0304's" charming jazz and electronic song,and a more superior version at that! this new take has a bit more impact and punch, especially during the bridge in which the song modulates briefly into a higher key. It's a lot like "Drive To You" in style. In some ways, I enjoy this new version more than the original, though a bit of the sweetness has disappeared and the whistling that could be heard in the bridge is no longer present. Still, this stands on its own as a great song. 10/10

11.Stephenville, TX - Far more country than anything else on the album,

which gives a evidence that Jewel would be recording a country album (which should be out this year, or next) this song shows off Jewel's twang. There's even a harmonica in the second verse and a piano can occasionally be heard playing trills. Jewel reminisces about the journey of her life, how much she has changed, and the realities of what will never change. She also mentions her boyfriend, and that he is the reason she's currently in Stephenville. Some songs envelope one emotion, but Jewel tells an entire story here. 10/10

12.Where You Are:

This song is both melodic and angelic, and Jewel sings with a smoother and softer tone which perfectly compliments the dreamy musical arrangement. She's given the opportunity to sing many long vowels and to open up her voice here. The beat in this song consists of hand drums and soft pats on bongos. Many guitars are layered to produce an inviting and earthy feel. Still, one gets the feeling of flying or floating in the open sea while listening to this. It's just a very nice song. 9/10

13.1000 Miles Away - Stripped bare of most studio equipment, Jewel serenades the listener with her raw vocals, guitar, a quiet piano and the occasional wispy chord. This is the song that will reassure everyone that Jewel can still perform like no other, giving listeners goosebumps simply by plucking a few strings and singing along poetically. This has "Pieces of You" all over it. And if I'm not mistaken, Jewel has been performing this song for years in front of live audiences. Those who have never heard it live are blessed to have it here. It's the best song on the album, by far. It could make you cry. It's that good. 10/10

Top 5

1.Again And Again

2.Drive To You

3.1000 Miles Away

4.Goodbye Alice In Wonderland

5.Long Slide Down

This is a fantastic album can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve next.

I often find that I cannot pass comment when it comes to Jewel; namely because I am one of those people who are thankful for her "0304" days.

I was introduced to her back in...well, '03/'04...when she decided to alter her style from folksy-mellow-country rock and head in a more electric-dancy-trendy pop direction; and I enjoyed this style immensely. I liked her ability to merge a sweet-sounding, soothing voice with dancy tracks - tracks you could loose yourself in, in terms of the lyrics and voice but also in terms of the rhythm and energy they emitted.

I knew, however, that this was not Jewel's typical shtick and so in acquiring the prettily named "Goodbye Alice In Wonderland", and knowing that she had gone back to her regular format, I was fully prepared for something that would be nothing like "0304" and was half prepared to dislike it.

But this wasn't actually the case. It was not the Jewel that I knew and enjoyed from my experience of her so far, but unfortunately the Jewel that I loved was not really Jewel at all. This album goes back to the styles of past albums. From hearing her older work I have enjoyed such tracks as "Hands" and "Down So Long", and I would say about half of the album pleases me as these songs did. The rest are nice, but nothing special to my ears, although I think an avid old-style Jewel fan would seriously disagree with me.

The selection I would place on my highlights list for "Goodbye Alice In Wonderland" would be the upbeat and inspiring "Good Day", the deep and sweet "Long Slow Slide", the rhythmic, rocky "Only One Too", and the catchy "Words Get In The Way". Worthy of adoration is the amazing "Drive To You", which draws you into a nice, soothing opening, brings you into a louder, passionate chorus and releases you into the sweet line "Like clouds in a sky of blue I belong to you". And topping the list is the perfect song to draw you into the album, the opening track "Again And Again" - an upbeat, catchy track that serves as a nice easing from the back-end of "0304" into the commencement of "Goodbye Alice In Wonderland".

My review might not do justice to this album where many Jewel fans are concerned, I don't know. For those that enjoyed her "0304" phase, it is not the same - and I'm not sure we'll ever hear that modish approach from her again! However, if you're determined to enjoy what Jewel is really about, "Goodbye Alice In Wonderland" is a very good place to start.