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I love Jem shes always getting a different vibe though after hearing it many times I need a break from it. Its not as good as the first one but which cd is.
Here, her production is so bland and her choice to go more electronic just makes the record slide by without any quality moments to chew on. Don't get me wrong, she was never a screamer or caterwauler, but even when she chastizes people about their expectations for her and that she didn't get into show business to be unpleasant, she does so with a musical force that's rather unimpressive. The talented Jem disappoints with her second outing as she seems to recede into her more softspoken nature with this one. It's not bad, but it also doesn't rise above the production even when she makes interesting choices musically within the bland environment. Whereas before her musical older sister seemed to be Beth Orton, now it seems to be Dido and in each case she could learn much from the approaches of both in making a better record. Her last record was good in that it showed lyrical and melodic gifts alongside genuine innocence and aggression (musically). It's a shame since I've seen her twice and she seemed to be taking more of a rock/pop direction with the last concert I saw and not this one. Needless to say, she was much more natural sounding in that setting and here I feel she's so comfortable she disappears into the mix instead of gently commanding it.
But I think it's obvious she doesn't have very impressive vocal range. Down to Earth features the best lyrics of the CD painting an eerily exact portrait of life and people today. Yes and no.I like Jem, don't get me wrong. Coming off her incredible debut, Finally Woken, Jem looks to continue her streak of easily accessible yet always interesting songs with Down to Earth. For better or worse, Down to Earth meets expectations, nothing more. Both songs are vintage Jem, reminding you immediately of why you listen to her.
The beats are very different from track to track but her vocals always remain the same.Despite her vocal limitations, Jem manages to provide us with some instantly great tracks, mainly in the form of the title track, Down to Earth, and I Always Knew.
However, there are oodles of singers out there who have NO range yet somehow put out songs that sound different and, maybe, sometimes, fresh.
While these usually turn my stomach at the mere thought of them, Jem goes about it in a way that isn't preachy.Other noteworthy tracks include Keep On Walking, You Will Make It, Got It Good, and How Would You Like It.The one major plus about Down to Earth is that its a CD you can listen to in its entirety whether you like all the songs or not.
Does she succeed.Eh.
I Always Knew, on the other hand, is the tried and true "even though I'm successful now I won't change" type of song.
Jem has the fresh part down pat, clearly, but different.
Not so much.
So I can sit here and talk all the trash I could possibly dream up (most of which would be untrue since I do enjoy this CD) but I will always give that fact to her because that almost never happens.
You most likely won't have your mind blown but you will definitely enjoy yourself.
I have been a fan of her music since FINALLY AWOKEN and DOWN TO EARTH made the four year wait well worth it. My other favorite song is "Got it Good". I always wondered if Jem was going to ever release a follow up to FINALLY AWOKEN. The music remains the same (in a good way) with its mix of pop, folk, and trip hop beats. I didn't care for the lyrics or beats.I will give Jem credit for branching out musically but the song didn't work for me. DOWN TO EARTH is so much more diverse and interesting than Dido's latest album which I found to be rather dreary and monotonous. I really loved the piano ballad "Keep on Walking".
The melodies reminds me of Pachelbel's "Canon", very vaguely. I am glad that she answered my question with DOWN TO EARTH. I loved the melodies and the lyrics. While the album isn't completely flawless, I found DOWN TO EARTH had a lot more substance than with SAFE TRIP TO HOME. The songs that really stood out with me are the ballads. My least favorite song on the album has to be "Aciid.". Overall I enjoyed DOWN TO EARTH and still do.
I think the only thing we're all going to agree on is that Jem has much talent she has yet to explore. "I Always Knew" is one of those revenge songs you want to play loudly whenever someone is annoying you.
I fall into the latter camp, though I am still quite a fan of FW. So you're pretty much going to see two camps here - those that preferred Finally Woken, and those that prefer Down to Earth.
I must say that "It's Amazing" is one of the most inspiring and uplifting songs I've heard in a long time. The only problem is that her first album felt like a grab-bag of different experiments.
Down to Earth is more cohesive, creating an ethereal kind of spacey vibe. And there you go.another vote for Earth.
I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next, and I hope it doesn't take four more years to find out.
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