Goodbye Alice in Wonderland

Did You Know?

• The album was written in the form of a novel with each track representing a chapter.
• Each song was recorded as a live performance, with only percussion overdubbed.

Background

After the dance-pop detour of 2003's 0304, Jewel returned to her roots with Goodbye Alice in Wonderland, which she called her most personal work since Pieces of You. The tracks were cut live in the studio, with only extra percussion added later. It turned out to be her last album of fresh material for Atlantic Records, as the label chose not to extend her contract at the close of 2006. The first single, "Again and Again," was called a slick, catchy but empty radio tune by Slant's Preston Jones.

"Long Slow Slide" reveals her folkier instincts. On the title track, she sings that growing up doesn't mean losing your dreams. "Good Day" kicks off with her at the fridge at midnight, muttering about making a wish if she believed in that stuff. "Satellite," penned when she was 18, lists the Pope, rock and roll, Valium, and Miss Cleo as useless cures for a broken heart.

"Only One Too" became the third single, backed by a remix EP released on October 10, 2006. "Fragile Heart," first heard on 0304, gets a more folk-leaning rework here.

Critical reception

At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 57 out of 100 based on 18 reviews, indicating mixed or average reviews. Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars, writing that Jewel is a better songwriter and record-maker than at the outset of her career. Gordon Agar from Observer Music Monthly called the album lovely, noting that producer Rob Cavallo added a colourful Lilith to Jewel's often shrill soprano. Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian described it as a surprisingly substantial return.

Kathleen C. Fennessy from Amazon wrote that maturity has granted Jewel greater perspective and a sense of humor missing from her earlier work. Catie James from Blogcritics gave a mixed review, stating that the music overwhelms the lyrics in most songs. Edd Hurt from Paste Magazine gave 2.5 out of 5 stars, remarking that Jewel never appears to be going through the motions. Ayo Jegede from Stylus Magazine wrote that Jewel is going through the motions rather than providing a noteworthy movement.

Preston Jones from Slant Magazine wrote that while it is a return to form, that form is bland and devoid of memorable cuts. Christian Hoard from Rolling Stone wrote that its bright come-ons sound both overdone and undercooked.