For those of you who are not familiar with the name Jem Griffiths, but are familiar with the Fox teen drama, “The O.C.,” you have heard Griffiths’ song, the theme, “Just a Ride.”
The 29-year-old singer’s CD “Finally Woken” (ATO Records) is one of the most enjoyable CDs out there. It will be one of those that you’ll have to played over and over again.
Jem, who co-wrote the song, “Nothing Fails” for Madonna’s last CD “American Life,” was signed to Dave Matthews record label, ATO Records.
The 11-song, Yoad Nevo produced CD has a combination of reggae, pop and adult contemporary songs that features Jem’s Dido-like vocals.
For example, in the song “They,” Jem sings, “Who made up all the rules/We follow them like fools/Believe them to be true/Don’t care to think them through,”
This is followed by the chorus, “Who are they/And where are they/And how can they possibly/know all this.”
The song, which contains elements of J.S. Bach and Ward Lamar Swingle’s version of “Prelude in F Minor,” is excellent.
The song’s theme is that who’s to say that someone close to us, or our family members know what we want in your life.
Do they dictate what they think is better for us? Do they control who we come in life? No, who are they to tell us that.
In the rock song, “24,” Jem sings about having 24 hours to say her goodbyes to the loved ones who knew her.
“Been given 24 hours to tie up/loose ends to make amends/His eyes said it all I started to fall and the silence deafened.”
Her brother Justin Griffiths wrote and arranged the strings in addition to playing the acoustic guitar for the song.
Another song, “Wish I” has a reggae feel to it. Griffiths blends her voice with the guitar riffs.
Along with sampling elements of “Dearest” by Dottie and Bonny (Reid) the song also includes “Er-Hu”courtesy of “Heart of Asia.”
In this song Jem sings about her wanting to go along with a friend, but has to stay behind so that person finds out if he wants to stay; if he doesn’t she will be there when he returns.
“But if you find that you/don’t like it/that the people there aren’t inviting/Or that city life is too frightening/won’t you come home,” Jem sings.
The highlight of the album is the song that was performed on “The O.C.” “Just a Ride” begins, “Life is ever so strange/It’s so full of change/Think that you work it out/Then BANG/Right of the blue something happens to you/To throw you off course and then you/ Breakdown.”
She arrives at the chorus and reminds the listener that life is, “just a ride, its just ride/no need to run, no need to hide/It’ll take you round and round/Sometimes you’re up/sometimes you’re down.”
Jem’s voice hits every note with anticipation for what is next.
The final and closing ballad, “Flying High” is one that touches the heart, with lyrics such as, “But I’m flying so high/high off the ground when you’re around/And I can feel your high/rocking me inside/it’s too much to hide.”
It was overall a great CD.
For a woman who went to law school, it was not a bad idea to turn to songwriting and singing.
If you are a fan of Dido or Sarah McLachlan, this album is for you.
