Real Kato Blog: Album: Jem

I discovered Jem while poking around the iTunes music store. I liked the 30-second previews enough to buy the album.

Welsh-born singer Jem Griffiths' debut album, "Finally Woken", is an interesting mix of pop, trance, down-tempo, goth-rock, and folk, if one can imagine that. Most folks compare her to Dido; she has a similar breathy and dramatic voice. But a simple comparison like that doesn't quite do her justice.

Depending on one's tastes, one might find this album to be a bit uneven; the shift of styles between tracks is a bit of a mind-bump at first. And a couple tracks have a not-quite-finished feel to them, like there was one more riff that should have made it in somewhere. But overall, the music is compelling and memorable, and everyone should find something to like. The track "Missing You" is on heavy rotation in my playlist right now, and I'm starting to become attached to many of the other tracks as well.

She's embarking on her U.S. tour now (which, unfortunately, doesn't come all that close to here). Look out for this girl: I think she's going to hit it big real soon. She's cute and talented and already has had a bit of nationwide exposure (a song on "The O.C.") I think her next album will be a smash.

CD rating: 4/5

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