Description
Cardiff-born Jem Griffiths had to travel to America for her big break, which is why her debut album Finally Woken only made it big in the UK nearly a year after its US release. And though her downbeat electronica and laconic vocals find her lumbered with a "Dido-wannabe" tag, she's actually much more adventurous than that. On the whole, F
Cardiff-born Jem Griffiths had to travel to America for her big break, which is why her debut album Finally Woken only made it big in the UK nearly a year after its US release. And though her downbeat electronica and laconic vocals find her lumbered with a "Dido-wannabe" tag, she's actually much more adventurous than that. On the whole, Finally Woken sounds like someone finally told Beth Orton to cheer up, and at its best the album finds Jem revelling in all the studio tricks available to her. Opener "They" loops a nonsensical children's chorus to create a mood of Danny Elfman-esque creepiness, while "Come on Closer" and "24" manage to use crunching electric guitars and strings whilst avoiding any comparison to Evanescence. The title track--the one that proved her breakthrough in the US--combines a loping beat with a jazzy vocal delivery that's reminiscent of Portishead, and "Save Me" is a better-than-average R&B track that's sure to be covered for years to come. Unfortunately, too much of the album's latter half sinks into a slow-paced Dido-esque electronic slurry, though she's to be applauded for at least trying to liven things up with the cod-reggae of "Wish I". On the strength of Finally Woken, a UK breakthrough for Jem is practically guaranteed. --Robert Burrow
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Track listing1. They
2. Come On Closer
3. Finally Woken
4. Save Me
5. 24
6. Missing You
7. Wish I
8. Just A Ride
9. Falling For You
10. Stay Now
11. Flying High
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