This is the sequel to this thread… and inspired by the release of Jewel’s new album 0304, along with the deeply mediocre single, “Intuition.” Though inspired is really too strong a word. Can one be inspired by mediocrity?
I first heard Jewel’s new single on the radio yesterday, and thanks to heavy airplay, I’ve since heard it three more times. The first time I heard it, I almost changed the channel, until I recognized that it was her voice. Then I simply listened in astonished silence.
Jewel has, officially and completely, lost it with this song. Any quality that made her music unique, gave it soul, or even made it worth listening to has been bled out of her. This new song sounds like every other pop song on the radio; over-produced, heavy drum tracks, standard R&B keyboard riffs. The lyrics are trite and meaningless. Jewel used to tell stories with her songs… now she just repeats the same overused sentiments found in every other pop song on the radio.
I’m sure fans of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Kelly Clarkson will love this new song… it’s perfectly like them. Jewel’s new image is that of the Standard Pop Diva ™, and her music has suffered for it.
With titles like “Run 2 U”, “Yes U Can”, and “U & Me = Love”, I do not have high hopes for the rest of the album either. I won’t be buying it, and I most likely won’t be listening to it either. No interest.
It’s funny, I wrote the first thread because I expected better of Jewel. Now, I find myself writing because I don’t have that expectation anymore. With this new song, Jewel has proven to me that she’s completely abandoned all the qualities thaat gave her music soul, passion, and uniqueness.
It makes me sad.