"I loved making this record, and it's the first record I enjoy listening to. It's fun!"
- Jewel in a note to her fans on the CD cover
After all, the music scene is filled with artistes who managed to prolong their pop longevity by overhauling their image and sound - from Justin Timberlake (former wimpy boyband member to solo street funk hunk) to Christina Aguilera (chaste Disney virgin to outrageous drrty slut) to the mother of reinvention herself, Madonna.
Yet for every successful makeover, there are probably a dozen more which fail to make the grade. Case-in-point: The transformation of former folk princess Jewel into a day-glo refugee from 80s dance break flop Electric Boogaloo on the tacky cover of her just released album.
Thankfully, the songs on her long-awaited fifth solo outing fare much much better. Co-produced by Lester A. Mendez (Shakira and Enrique Iglesias), 0304 is the Alaskan born chanteuse's highest debuting album of her career which included 1995's Pieces of You, 1998's Spirit and 2001's This Way.
Sounding as if the winsome thrush has discovered drum machines for the first time, 0304 is a near perfect confection of dance pop and folk sensibilities characterized by the singer/song-writer's distinct lyrical style.
With the first single "Intuition" sounding very much like a track shake-her-bon-bons Shakira would record and opening track "Stand" with its up-tempo beats and quirky exuberance, it is clear that 0304 marks a new path in the talented lass' multifaceted musical career.
Although fervent folk fans may bemoan the radical change in musical direction, both old and new listeners can rest assured that the multi-platinum artiste's new "dance-hip-hop-folk" tunes continue to showcase what one critic calls her "clear as an Alaskan stream" soprano and trademark killer choruses.
From tender love ballad "Fragile Heart" crafted in the mold of "You Were Meant For Me" to the Nelly Furtado-like "Leave The Lights On" featuring Jewel's signature barely there whispers to the Sugar Babes-fueled "U And Me = Love" (where Jewel raps better than Madonna!), every track on 0304 is full of major pop-radio hit potential.
Amongst Ms Scary's personal favourite tracks are "2 Find U", 0304's answer to "Standing Still"; "Sweet Temptation", which starts off like "Intuition" Part II before rocking away with its singalong chorus; and closing track "Becoming", which brings together the best of Jewel: bewitching quivering delivery and sensitive lyrics topped off with a can't-get-it-out-of-my-mind melody.
Surely, Ms Scary's pick for the breakthrough album of the year - provided Ms Jewel Kilcher fires her clueless and hopelessly-outdated-by-two-decades stylist.