Album Review: Jewel, Sweet and Wild

Singer-songwriter Jewel continues her journey in the world with country music following 2008’s Perfectly Clear with her latest project Sweet and Wild. It comes on the heels of the 15th anniversary of the release of her landmark debut album Pieces of You which includes the hits “Who Will Save Your Soul” and “You Were Meant For Me.”

For her new album, romance is in the air perhaps since it’s her first since her marriage to rodeo star Ty Murray; however, many of the songs were written prior to the couple making it official. The theme of love is prevalent on Sweet and Wild’s first single “Stay Here Forever,” (Check out the music video here.) which also appears on the soundtrack to the movie Valentine’s Day, and it continues throughout “Summer Home In Your Arms” and the catchy “I Love You Forever." 

While love is great, it isn’t always easy and Jewel addresses that fact on Sweet and Wild as well. The always challenging search for “Mr. Right” is described in the up-tempo “One True Thing,” while “Bad As It Gets,” the only song that Jewel didn’t have a hand in writing, is a heart-break ballad that allows her to display her vocal range as the bridge escalates into the chorus. Meanwhile, in “Ten,” a couple has a gut-check before calling it quits and Jewel’s current single “Satisfied” follows close to the same message of being aware of what you have or what you need to do to be at peace with yourself. “No More Heartaches” catches the listener’s attention with its abrupt opening and has a retro sound with a contemporary twist.

Jewel's fan base will want to make sure that they have the deluxe edition of the album which includes Sweet and Mild, a second disc of acoustic versions of all 11 tracks featured on the standard issue. The songs take on a whole new organic sound as listeners get to experience them as Jewel initially recorded them prior to adding all the bells and whistles of Sweet and Wild. The sparse production really spotlights Jewel's songwriting as well as lets her vocal talent really shine.

Don't forget to check out our exclusive preview of Sweet and Wild here.

Nikita Palmer for Citadel Digital © 2010