This is Jewel's debut album. It was released in 1995 and (eventually) shot her to folk-pop stardom.
I find the situation with this album is very similar to Missy Higgins; in that the style generally does nothing for me, but the occasional song is somehow an absolute cracker. The lyrics of many songs are quite gloomy, so getting through the whole album is a bit of a struggle. Also, while some lyrics create vivid illustrations, songs such as as Morning Song and Adrian have lyrics that are quite literal or bland.
Pieces Of You deserves praise for its biting and insightful messages. But its brutal intensity means I don't find it at all enjoyable. It's like musical brussel sprouts!
The recording quality is a mixed bag. But when it's good, the vocals are spine-tinglingly good. Meek, powerful, husky, defiant... a huge range of emotions are brilliantly communicated.
So, on to the good stuff. The lyrics of Foolish Games are brilliant- the melancholy is still present, but the poetic imagery brings the story to life. My initial impression is that the musical accompaniment is also a cut above the rest of the album. But maybe it is actually that the wonderful lyrics allows me to appreciate it properly for this song. Either way, the piano part is beautifully both gentle and haunting.
I'm Sensitive is quite oddball, thanks to the bouncing guitar style, which sits a bit awkwardly in this pop song. I like it! Somehow reminds me of the music from the film Napoleon Dynamite. Also, the naieve chorus ties the song together nicely.
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