You may remember her appearance in 2004 on the longforgotten show called “The O.C,” where she covered Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed.” Her voice also made cameos in several more O.C episodes, as well as in “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Laguna Beach” and “One Tree Hill.” She’s a girl who has been almost everywhere in the media eye, but with little notice.
Well, her full name is Jemma Griffiths, but when her friends bluntly pointed out that it sounded like a librarian’s name, it was a quick change. Today, she is better known as Jem, who has released her second album, Down to Earth.
Just like her previous album, Finally Woken, which marked Jem’s television soundtrack domination, Down to Earth caught on with soundtrack supervisors months before its release. The album’s single “It’s Amazing,” was featured in this summers chick flick blockbuster hit, “Sex and the City” and “Crazy” made its debut on the season premiere of cult favorite “Gossip Girl.”
With just one look at the cover, you know you’re dealing with a different Jem. Where Finally Woken displayed an air of uncomfortable mystery with a tinted picture of the artist as a young girl, the new album’s artwork features a picture of the singer all done up with a new darker hairstyle (so unique). One would think a new look would result in new music.
In Jem’s case, it does. But in a surprisingly well orchestrated instrumental way with a few techno beats thrown in. Although the two soundtracks could have been recorded by anyone, Jem adds her own sultry, sassy voice.
The album opens with the self-titled track and a slow, melodramatic piano that quickly molds itself into a slick guitar melody.
All the songs have interesting beats, whether they were computer generated or instrumentally generated. “Crazy” features a fast-paced modern banjo beat that mirrors the message of strong, egotistical girl power.
In “You Will Make It,” which features the vocals of Vusi Mahlasela, a South African singer-songwriter, a beautiful piano serenades throughout, occasionally drowning out Jem. And although lyrics like, “Go to bed/ Everything’s alright/ Don’t know the whole world’s changing as you sleep through the night” may seem overused and bland, these lyrics are meant to directly touch upon the theme of loss and suffering in the unpredictable post-Sept. 11 world.
The album’s electronic upbeat side — including both Latin and Japanese influences — has some trouble mixing with the juxtaposition of intense lyrics and party beat lyrics. “I Want You To” opens with an awkward attempt at a Spanish conversation aimed at getting the attention of a mysterious “Maria” character. In “Aciiid!” listeners will hear Jem — the singer with a law degree — attempt to rap phonetically translated Japanese.
But don’t get the wrong idea, the buoyant beats showcased in the background to these party tracks are worth a chance.
Jem and her songs could easily be covered by pop princesses like Rihanna, Miley Cyrus or, if you want to stretch it, Hilary Duff. Ultimately, Jem excels in melding her voice to the beats that separate Down to Earth from the chick-pop pack.
3 1/2 stars out of 5.