Jem
Finally woken
Things change. People change. People mature and grow. Old ideas usually wan and eventually fade away as we get older. As the old saying goes: it only takes 10 years for a conservative to become a liberal without changing a single ideal. So what the hell am I rambling on about? I am not really sure, but I can say, if I heard myself listening to this album ten years ago I would probably kick my own ass. Some people may say this is a guilty pleasure, but screw that, I refuse to feel any guilt, as this is a damn good album.
Jem, also known as Jemma Griffiths, has created a really fun album here. She supplies the vocals of course, wrote all the songs, and also has a hand in the production of this album. How to describe the sound here? It is sort of all over the place. Touches of funk, soul, pop, trip-hop, and strait up rock are spread all over. Some of these songs have the best programmed beats and bass I have heard in a long while, and are far better than you may expect from an album such as this.
A few standouts include They, an eccentrically wonderous song that starts with a captivating intro that sucks you right in. Come on Closer is surely one of the best shagging songs going. Finally Woken is a real catchy happy number that reveals the spirit of it's title in the hopefullness and wonder of it's words and music. 24 is a serious song that reveals panic and dispair between the thunderous beats and crashing guitar lines. Wish I is a fun little track that is remiscent of the sixties, and Just a Rideis another carefree romp. Stay Now is a real beautiful track, though the strings are a bit over the top for my taste.
Not everything is perfect here. Missing You and Flying High are a littly too smanzy for my liking, and Falling for You, which tries to be be serious like 24 falls a little flat in my opinion. It sounds as though it is just about to get really good but then gives up. Take heart though, as I mentioned, some of the beats here (especially They and Come on Closer are mind bogglingly huge for what (I assume) is trying to pass itself off as a mostly 'pop' album. The vocals are delivered great, and Jem does have a real beautiful voice.
I do not think it much of a stretch that any Emilianna Torrini or Imogan Heap fans could get into this album with little trouble. If you like female vocals and big-beats, you could do much worse than Finally Woken.
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Sunday May 18, 2008 8:05 am
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