Last Updated on March 12, 2022 by Lil Ginge
0304 is a studio album released by folk-rock singer Jewel. Released on June 3, 2003, it is her fifth released album following Pieces of You, Spirit, This Way, and Joy: A Holiday Collection. The album was put out by Atlantic Records and was co-produced by Lester A. Mendez (Enrique Iglesias, Shakira) and Jewel Kilcher herself. Recorded at Conway Studios in Hollywood, California, the album clocks in at a 53 minute and 42-second runtime.
Music Video for Lead Single Intuition:
What Genre Is Jewel’s 0304 Album?
Jewel’s 0304 album falls under the broad genre of pop/rock but incorporates a number of wildly different elements into its sonic mix including lots of
- dance-pop
- alternative folk rock
- contemporary pop
- country
- jazz
- and electronica, too.
This was the first time Jewel released an album that was designed to put dance beats front and center.
Jewel wanted to make an album that sounded like an updated version of big band swing. She wanted it to be lyric-driven, like Cole Porter’s music. But the album combines dance, urban beats, and folk music. She said it was her first Jewel album that she actually enjoyed listening to, especially because it’s “fun”.
How Did Jewel Come To Make A Dance Record?
Jewel previously had a #1 song on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart with a remix of “Serve the Ego”, the final single from her fourth album, This Way, in early November 2002. The success of this chart-topping number in the clubs helped Jewel have the confidence to pursue this bold and powerful new direction on 0304.
Jewel was interested in this type of record because it was set against the backdrop of a time of war and terrorism, where people (especially in the United States), were sad, fearful, and angry. Though the music is more escapist than one is used to from Jewel, the lyrics still contain plenty of her trademark depth and contemporary resonances.
Jewel also leaned heavily into sexuality for the album. Believing in the duality of the human condition, she felt that the album could sound both sexy and smart at the same time, which it pulls off exceptionally well.
Release and Reception of Jewel’s 0304 Album
“Intuition” was released as the first single and definitely sent some shockwaves through the music industry and her fanbase, not expecting a dance-pop album from the 90s folkie darling.
The album initially had a mixed reception. Some people thought of it as a “sell-out” album, trying to cash in on the pop music craze launched by acts like Britney Spears, NSYNC, The Backstreet Boys, and Christina Aguilera. But in some ways, this album may have been more authentically Jewel than any she had put out previously.
But 0304 received generally positive reviews from music critics with a current Metacritic score (for what it’s worth) of 63/100 with 9 reviews incorporated. And 0304 was a commercial success for Jewel and the highest-debuting album of Jewel’s career at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart behind Metallica’s St. Anger. She sold 144,000 copies in the first release of its release.
It became a gold record on July 14, 2003. As of June 10, 2010, has sold 771,000 copies.
Track List of Jewel’s 0304
- Stand
- Run 2 U
- Intuition
- Leave the Lights On
- 2 Find U
- Fragile Heart
- Doin’ Fine
- 2 Become 1
- Haunted
- Sweet Temptation
- Yes U Can
- U & Me = Love
- America
- Becoming
Australian and Japanese Editions
15. Intuition (Ford’s Radio Mix)
European Edition Bonus Tracks
15. Intuition (Todd Terry In-House Mix)
16. Intuition (Video)
Musicians Performing on 0304
- Jewel Kilcher – Leads vocals, guitar, lead songwriter
- Mark Oakley – acoustic guitar
- Paul Bushnell – bass
- Abe Laboriel Jr. – drums, percussion, handclaps
- Dave Levita – electric guitar
- Rusty Anderson – electric guitar
- Lester A. Mendez – Keyboards, handclaps
Additional Musicians:
- Mike Bolger – Accordion (Intuition), trombone, trumpet
- Greg Collins – Handclaps (Intuition, Yes U Can)
- Patrick Warren – Chamberlin(Fragile Heart, Haunted, Becoming), piano (2 Become 1)
- Lisa Germano – Backing vocals, violin (Fragile Heart)
Production Crew:
- A&R: Gloria Gabriel
- Arranged by – Lester A. Mendez
- Art Direction – Richard Bates
- Design – Greenberg Kingsley
- Engineer – Greg Collins
- Engineer: Additional Protools – John Hanes
- Engineer: Additional – Andrew Scheps, Carlos Paucar, Clif Norrell, Ryan Freeland
- Engineer: Assistant Mastering – Will Quinnell
- Engineer: Assistant Mix – Tim Roberts
- Executive Producer – Evan Lamberg, Lenedra Carroll, Ron Shapiro
- Mastering – Chris Gehringer
- Mixing – Serban Ghenea
- Photography – Peter Robathan
- Producer – Jewel Kilcher, Lester A. Mendez
- Programmer – Havana Hustlers
Songwriting:
- Music: Jewel Kilcher, Lester A. Mendez
- Lyrics: Jewel Kilcher
Additional Songwriters Featured on 0304:
- Anthony Bell – music (Fragile Heart)
- Guy Chambers – music (2 Become 1)
- Rick Nowels – music (Sweet Temptation, Yes U Can)
Singles from Jewel’s 0304
- Intuition – May 6, 2003
- Stand – October 14, 2003
- 2 Become 1 – December 16, 2003
0304 on the Weekly Album Charts
- Australia Albums – 10
- Austrian Albums – 74
- Canadian Albums – 9
- Dutch Albums – 12
- French Albums – 141
- German Albums – 33
- New Zealand Albums – 16
- Norwegian Albums – 39
- Scottish Albums – 80
- Swedish Albums – 56
- Swiss Albums – 45
- UK Albums – 79
- Us Billboard 200 – 2
0304 on the Year-End Album Charts
- Us Billboard 200 – 110
Official Sales Certifications:
- Australia – Gold – 35,000
- Canada – Gold – 50,000
- USA – Gold – 771,000
Release History of Jewel’s 0304 Album
- USA – June 2, 2003 – Atlantic
- Japan – June 11, 2003 – Warner
- Australia – June 23, 2003 – Warner
- Germany – September 1, 2003 – Warner
- UK – September 1, 2003 – Atlantic
- Australia (tour edition) – February 9, 2004 – Warner
If you enjoyed this article on Jewel’s 0304 album, be sure to also check out my post on Lori McKenna’s Christmas Is Right Here album.
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