Jewel - acoustic guitar, lead vocals, background vocals.Jason Freese - mellotron, Hammond organ, synthesizer strings, Wurlitzer.The reviewer also criticized Rich's production and the "poppy, simple songs about relationships but it does mean it feels more like the Jewel that everybody came to love back in 1995" Ī positive review came from Entertainment Weekly, which received the album well, calling Jewel an "earnest storyteller", and Billboard magazine, which said that the album "is not only persuasive, but down-home, old-school country." The New York Times gave the album an ambivalent review, saying that Jewel's voice was "sharp assured" but criticizing the production. The reviewer said that "Jewel doesn't call upon the gritty storytelling of a real Nashville star the album is overcrowded by placid soft-rock tunes like "Two Become One" and "Anyone But You" with schmaltzy choruses and flavorless piano-laden verses." Allmusic gave a mixed review too, giving the album 3 stars out of 5. Rolling Stone magazine gave a mixed review, giving the album 2.5 stars out of 5. The album received generally favorable reviews. As of June 2010, the album has sold 370,000 copies worldwide, including 240,000 in the U.S.
The European edition also includes the video for the first single "Stronger Woman". It was released across Europe in June 2009.
The album was released in Australia on May 29, 2009. Perfectly Clear debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200 with 48,000 copies. "Till It Feels Like Cheating" was released on Octoas the third single, but only stayed on the charts for one week debuting and peaking at #57. "I Do", was released to country radio on Jas the album's second single, which peaked in the Top 40. John Rich, one half of the country rock duo Big & Rich, produced the album. Its lead single, " Stronger Woman", peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. " 2 Become 1", from 0304 appeared in a new country version that was re-titled, "Two Become One". The album is composed of a mixture of new and old fan-favorite songs, although only one of the songs had previously appeared on one of her albums. Her first album of country music, it was released on Valory Records (an imprint of Big Machine Records) on J(see 2008 in country music). "Perfectly Clear" may be country but it's not a gem.Perfectly Clear is the seventh studio album recorded by American singer Jewel. There are a few too many sound-alike love songs and the female-power anthem "Stronger Woman" - with its lyrics about self-love and being your own best friend - could have been cribbed from a 70's self-help book. And to put it kindly the lyrics don't break any new ground. It is marred by bland arrangements (somewhat surprising considering that maverick John Rich co-produced) - the second single "I Do" is one of the few on the album that could be considered catchy. The problem is that "Perfectly Clear" may be too much like a lot of modern country music. Others - like the deep-longing "Everything Reminds Me Of You" - reveal their roots on repeated listenings. Some songs like "Till It Feels Like Cheating" are obviously country. Jewel possesses a breathy, distinctive voice, sort of like a less-manic Jennifer Nettles. "Perfectly Clear" comes after the disappointing sales of her previous CD, "Goodbye Alice in Wonderland" (her first album not to go gold.) And she's flirted with different genres in the past, as on the "modern big band" sound of "0304." On the other hand, it may be that Jewel's always been at least - like another famous Utah-born singer - a little bit country.Īnd it may not matter because whatever Jewel's motives and whatever your thoughts about her country cred, it would be hard to argue that "Perfectly Clear" is not a country album. The charge of opportunism could be laid at Jewel's door.
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