Finally Woken

by

Jem

Edit

This is my first review, and I'm mostly doing it for Miss Gemma Griffiths, aka Jem. I want to get some word out on her behalf, because this is a solid debut album.

I read a review that said this music is "trip-pop," and while I hate stereotypical categories, I am going to have to agree. I am also going to say that Jem will not be able to avoid comparisons to Dido. These two do sound quite similar, athough I find Jem much more palatable for my electronica/alternative tastes.

Jem's voice is so smooth, even ethereal at times, that she could easily be fronting the helm of trip-hop acts like Morcheeba or Massive Attack. The music itself, including the lyrics, is very uptempo and poppy, and I could easily see her being the next big pop star if this had been produced by the Matrix or whoever crappy pop producer is hot these days. There are electronic blips throughout. The beat often has a real hip-hop vibe to it.

"Come On Closer" has a dark string sample and heavy bassline to accompany a backbeat that I've heard in a Cypress Hill song, before the grimy guitar jars in on the chorus. "They," the first single, features a somewhat eerie choral sample throughout the track, providing an interesting backdrop when the drum machine shuffles a quickening beat. "Save Me" uses a reggae-esque guitar and beat over Jem's wailing vocals and beautiful harmonies. These three songs are the ones that stuck with me after only two listens.

I urge you to give Jem a chance if you are a fan of interesting new music. This CD sounds like one that will be good for pumping this Summer.