Pieces of You by Jewel (CD, Apr-2004, Phantom Imports Japan)

This is an extremely well written début (especially regarding lyrics), and what's even better is that Jewel wrote all of the tracks, minus two that she co-wrote with Steve Poltz.
The first track (and the first single to be released), "Who Will Save Your Soul?", has a good swinging riff, with lyrics about the modern way of living, a theme that is carried on to "Little Sister", about the materialistic and drug-ridden ways of the world. Meanwhile, "Amen" questions nature and religion - a theme also used in the opening track.

The title song, "Pieces of You", has sad guitar music, and the lyrics centre on do we judge people in a certain way because they remind us of ourselves? And "Daddy" has a slow swinging guitar melody that suggests that something is wrong. This fits in with the lyrics, which are at times sarcastic and vengeful - one of the best tracks on the album.

Two tracks tell stories through song. "Painters" is of a pair of artists who face tragedy, and "Adrian" is of a boy damaged at camp who comes home, where the townsfolk believe his life support should be turned off.

Though not all tracks are focused on confronting lyrics. "I'm Sensitive" is a fun little song, while "Angel Standing By" makes the perfect lullaby.

While the standard of lyric writing is high, there is something to be improved upon in the form of music writing. Although the chords and notes used are different and may be played at different paces, there are definite patterns in the music. There seems to be two different groups within the album - the first one consisting of "Who Will Save Your Soul?", "Morning Song", "You Were Meant For Me" and "Daddy"; and a smaller group with "Angel Standing By" and "Amen". Tracks on the following album, "Spirit", also carry on with these similar music styles.

Overall, it's an impressive début with the emphasis clearly on lyrics. Though this trait fades as Jewel's albums progress, it is a quality that undoubtedly has made this album worthy of anyone's music collection.