This soft and stirring debut from Alaskan-born
Jewel reflects all of the peaceful serenity and
splendor of her native state. With little more
than acoustic guitar, there is nothing keeping
Jewel's visual, and wonderfully simplistic,
hand-crafted songs on Pieces Of You from
reaching a high level of integrity, with a spirit
that is simply enrapturing. Jewel invests every
drop of emotion she can muster in each song,
as she searches through her or other people's
pain to cleanse and satisfy her own inquisitive
nature. "Foolish Games" observes the habits
of someone confused by drug addiction, while
the beautiful "Amen" (inspired by Kurt Cobain's
death) tries to make sense out of the ruins of a
fallen icon. The first single, "Who Will Save Your
Soul," boasts the album's catchiest chorus and
the fullest arrangement and the title track-which
punches a hole in ignorance-boasts its most direct
lyrics ("You say he's a faggot/Do you want to bash
in his brain?"). Her voice displays a variety of
tones and colors, sounding like Juliana Hatfield
on "Adrian," and capturing similar attributes of
Sarah McLachlan, Eddi Reader and Tori Amos
("Foolish Games") at other times.  Jewel should
be applauded for her stark honesty and innate
ability to keep you coming back for more. Try
these pieces: "Near You Always," "Morning Song"
and "Angel Standing By."

       GLEN SANSONE

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