Jewel's new album This Way definitely finds everyone's favorite Alaskan folksinging waif heading in the right direction. I particularly like the fact that she's no longer belaboring the whole "I lived in a van down by the river," bit. Yes folks our little, yodeling, folk singer is all grown up now.

"Standing Still," the first release, is not very representative of how strong the album is overall. Tracks like "Jesus Love You," "Love Me, Just Leave Me Alone," and "Sometimes It Be That Way," have the kind of liberal cynicism only a dirty, hippie, folk singer could provide. This album is very uplifting and fun at some points and very soulful and humble at others. This is a solid outing, but I believe her best is yet to come.