Down to Earth | ||||
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Studio album by Jem | ||||
Released | 16 September 2008 | |||
Recorded | 2006 – 2008 in Detroit and Los Angeles | |||
Genre | Trip hop, electronica, pop rock, folk | |||
Length |
47:18 (CD version) 51:07 (with iTunes bonus track) |
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Label | ATO | |||
Producer | Jem, Greg Kurstin, Lester Mendez, Jeff Bass, Mike Bradford | |||
Jem chronology | ||||
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Singles from Down to Earth | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | |
ArtofRhyme | (3.75/5) |
Billboard | (positive) |
Digital Spy | |
The Guardian | |
MusicOMH.com | |
Paste | (61/100) |
The Phoenix | |
The Times |
Down to Earth is the second studio album by Jem, the follow-up to her successful 2004 debut, Finally Woken. The first single, "It's Amazing", was featured on the soundtrack to the Sex and the City movie. In August 2008, "Crazy" was released as a single on iTunes and other digital music outlets. By January 2009, "Keep on Walking" was distributed as a free iTunes download at US Starbucks stores.
The press release states that Jem co-wrote the album with a variety of people including Jeff Bass, Lester Mendez and Greg Kurstin and sings in Japanese on the track, "Aciiid!". The album also includes a collaboration with South African singer-songwriter and poet-activist Vusi Mahlasela on the track "You Will Make It" which was dedicated to the memory of D12 member Proof. Although the collaboration never happened, Jem wanted to work with Eminem for the song, saying "The track is about losing someone and I wrote it the day after his friend Proof was murdered. I was in Detroit with Eminem's friends, who I happened to be recording with, when it happened". The album entered the Billboard 200 at No. 43, selling 10,642 copies.
Jem wrote in her blog on 20 September 2008:
In September 2008, Jem's official website stated the following about the album title: