Archive for the ‘Jem’ Category
Top 10 Heart Songs
I wanted to call this the “slow jam” list…but it’s hardly R&B inspired. This is about the “heartfelt” songs of the year. The songs convey a message to the heart. I can’t really explain each song (partly b/c I just don’t know how to), but also because it’s hard to go into detail about slow songs. It’s a subjective experience. This list goes all across the board, it doesn’t matter what genre. I liked these songs for several reasons: 1) The vocals. 2) The lyrics. 3)The melody. 4) The mood. As usual, in no particular order.
3. Blue Foundation – Eyes On Fire
6. The Virgins – Love Is Colder Than Death
8. TV On The Radio – Family Tree
Jem – Down To Earth Review
There’s something about Jem that really stands out to me. She reminds me of Dido, in the way they whisper their words in a soft with a mid-range mezzo-soprano voice – Dido’s just a bit more “whiny” sounding (I still like her). After four years, Jem has finally released a follow-up album (Down To Earth) to the 2004 LP Finally Woken. At first listen, I didn’t really like it, but the album really grew on me after a couple of times.
The title Down To Earth has different meanings 1)Jem remaining down to earth despite the fame game and 2) an outer space being (probably Jem) coming down to earth and observing our self-destructive and unloving ways. Down To Earth is also the title track, with the latter meaning. I really like the song, where she’s making comments like an observer of our humanly behaviour. The song is haunting with its melody and her whispers.
The first single was It’s Amazing, released in May/June with the Sex And The City film and featured on the soundtrack. I like this song and I don’t have a smart reason for it. I like the lyrics and the melodies, especially the soft choir near the end of the track. On Aciiid, she mixes her style with a Japanese rap. In a way, she doesn’t do the song justice because her voice is so soft, it slows down the dance track. But I can also say, her slow singing makes the song unique and still catchy because it’s not what you’re expecting. On I Want You To, she uses a Cuban salsa style and sings in Spanish. Unlike some, she’s not trying to be Spanish, she’s using the style to compliment her own.
The same thing I like about her singing is the same thing I hate about it. Yes, I like her soft tones, but at times, it’s just boring. Her voice doesn’t really move, no ups and downs.. the same tone all the way through. She makes every song her own because she implements her singing style; but she also makes the songs boring with her unchanging voice. Still, there a lot of good tracks on this CD, making it a solid pop-electronic album with plenty of loungy and danceable tracks.
Favourites: It’s Amazing, I Want You To, Down To Earth, On Top of the World
