If I could hand out album of the year award, I would seriously consider Jewel’s “Sweet and Wild” as one of the nominees. That is based on the 8,000 songs I have downloaded over one year (thank you Nokia). If you have heard Jewel singing live – which I did when I was working in Malaysia – you would agree that she sounds even better in front of the audience than her recorded album. Her 1995 album “Pieces Of Me” thrills me. More so, the inspiring story of her touring all over America to promote her album. While her initial debut did not take off, her re-release of the same album has made history. I also like her subsequent releases up to “0304” when she has totally lost me with her pop approach. Thereafter, although I am still following her music career, the albums do not quite hit my spot. Then comes “Sweet and Wild”.
Jewel remains strong, lyrically. Take the last track “Satisfied” as an example (check out the video at the end of this post).
If you love somebody, you better let it out. Don’t hold it back while you’re trying to figure it out. Don’t be timid, don’t be afraid to hurt. Run toward the flame, run toward the fire. Hold on for all your worth cause the only real pain a heart can ever know is the sorrow of regret when you don’t let your feelings show.
The beauty of this song – besides its melody – is that she goes on with how to love and ultimately feel satisfied.
“Sweet and Wild” contains some emotionally desperate songs, like the dramatic opening track “No Good In Goodbye” that demonstrates her brilliant vocal capability. That track is almost as sad as some of the songs in her debut. But the crying sound is no more, which is more pleasing to the heart (l did not notice how much she used the crying sound until lately when I listened to her debut again). Majority of her album are tracks that are so sweet that I cannot stop smiling listening to them. Tracks such as “I Love You Forever” and “Stay Here Forever”. I would suppose these are the songs inspired by her recent marriage. There is even a song on a couple having a row that surprisingly, it sounds absolutely sweet. Check out the lyrics excerpt for the song “Ten” on her stopping and counting to ten before leaving after a fight. I am sure most of you who are or have been in a relationship would be able to relate.
One, I still wanna hate you. Two, three, I still wanna leave. Four, searching for that door. Five, then I look into your eyes. Six, take a deep breathe. Seven, take a step back. Eight, nine, I don’t know why, we even started this fight. By the time I get to ten, I’m right back in your arms again.
And to sweeten the song, like the 10 things I love and hate about you, here is the answer to the emotion above when she counts her blessing because one could lose what one is not thankful for. Lyrically, I think it is beautiful. So is the song.
One, you still move me. Two, three, you send chills right through me. Four, you keep me wanted more. Five, when I look into your eye. Six, you’re my best friend. Seven, that will never end. Eight, nine, I don’t know why, but thank God it happens every-time. By the time I get to ten, I can see how bless I’ve been.
“Sweet And Wild” – like most of her previous albums – is leaning towards pop than country. It is not a powerhouse country pop album like others who do well in the chart. But it is quite likely one of the sweetest and most accessible Jewel albums I have come across for quite some time and I fall in love with all the tracks in this album.