This Way is definitely the way to go for Jewel Kilcher. After the confining seriousness and studio polish of 1998's Spirit, this third CD from the Alaska-raised singer-songwriter finds her loosening and lightening up, adding a touch of rootsy grit to her folk-and-country-based songs while maintaining a pop sensibility a la Sheryl Crow or Bonnie Raitt. Religion and romance are the themes of the day, and while we have to applaud Jewel for having the conscience to tackle topics like abortion and gender politics, her lyrics can be childishly naive -- or do most 27-year-old women still refer to breasts as "ta-tas?" Ah well, one thing at a time. At least This Way is a step in the right direction. (More on: Jewel).

Track Listing 1. Standing Still
  2. Jesus Loves You
  3. Everybody Needs Someone Sometime
  4. Break Me
  5. Do You Want To Play?
  6. Till We Run Out of Road
  7. Serve The Ego
  8. This Way
  9. Cleveland
  10. I Won't Walk Away
  11. Love Me, Just Leave Me Alone
  12. The New Wild West
  13. Grey Matter (Recorded Live)
  14. Sometimes It Be That Way (Recorded Live)