• Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Nov 13, 2001
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. It's her first genuine step forward... probably the best record she has cut to date.
  2. This Way is not as accessible to the masses as previous albums, but this jewel doesn't need to be so polished to glitter.
  3. She's one of the most richly idiomatic female pop singers of her generation, combining the blazing timbral containment of Karen Carpenter with the rootsy looseness of Bonnie Raitt.
  4. It is with this album, This Way that Jewel finally comes into her own.
  5. An album of tuneful but calculated pop-rock to be admired rather than loved.
  6. This Way is somehow both ambitious and down-to-earth compared to its predecessors.
  7. This shiny collection of pop, folk, blues, country and rock is mostly about as emotionally engaging as watching Mr Spock watch paint dry... in the dark.
  8. 60
    A dozen WB-ready theme songs that slay in that charmingly plastic way.
  9. Short on the kind of sweet 'n' simple coffeehouse ditties that made the Alaskan-born folksinger a fan favorite.
  10. Entertainment Weekly
    42
    A misstep. [23 Nov 2001, p.82]
  11. Uncut
    40
    Knowing what she's capable of, it's impossible not to feel disappointed. [Feb 2002, p.120]
  12. Mojo
    40
    This album stumbles on the lower slopes of her ambitions. [Mar 2002, p.101]
  13. Blender
    40
    This is very much another case of: nice lyrics, but a shame about the tunes. [#4, p.118]
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Negative: 3 out of 12
  1. izata
    Jun 25, 2006
    10
    incredibky magnificient!! every track is great!!! my favs r "standin still","this way","break me""serve the ego","love me just leave me incredibky magnificient!! every track is great!!! my favs r "standin still","this way","break me""serve the ego","love me just leave me alone" n "till we run out of road"... never i've heard such a brilliant album!! if i could i'd give it a 100! this is better than anything that's exist in this world!!!! Full Review »
  2. JohnS.
    Jan 7, 2002
    10
    First album, this is me. Second album, this is you. Third album, this is it. The real thing, sung in a range from minstrel to Janis Joplin.