Back To Bedlam - James Blunt

Advantages: Song writing talent, great voice even when singing live, a real talent
Disadvantages: The poor man's Damien Rice? and getting too mainstream

...A nice pretty song, going back to happier music! A nice acoustic guitar and keyboard opening with the entry of James Blunt's vocals a little later. The song has some more clever lyrics with the mention of Dorian Gray, a character in the Oscar Wilde novel, "The Picture of Dorian Gray". In which Dorian Gray, an extremely handsome young man, feels handsome when compared to a portrait of himself, but due to many corrupt events, grows to feel ugly even ...
...run far, far away; find comfort in pain, all pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble. Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray. I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble." The song is extremely upbeat, and quite happy especially when the bass and drums are added for the second verse. The song also has some beautiful lyrics again. "How I wish I could surrender my soul; shed the clothes that become my skin; see the liar that ... Read review

Advantages: The music
Disadvantages: The lyrics

...them was 'James Blunt - Back to Bedlam'. I originally bought the CD, after I had initially been charmed by the track 'You're Beautiful'. I had listened to the album many times previously; and then became utterly sick of it. The CD sat unused and ignored for a while; the reasons why I had developed such a dislike for it had faded - which is why it was inserted into the CD player this trip and listened to from beginning to end, thus, re-igniting my ...
...but not to be discounted by everyone, listen and decide for yourself! - James Blunt - Back to Bedlam; can be purchased from HMV, Virgin and the larger supermarkets. It is approximately £9. Although you can buy it cheaper if you buy online, from websites such as Amazon. ... Read review

Advantages: Some emotive music and lyrics
Disadvantages: It gets on your nerves after a while

..."High". It's a laid back pop ballad, with Blunt's vocals over the top. It starts off as if it's going to be an acoustic number, but soon expands into something that is a little more indie-pop. This combination of indie-pop with a soaring vocal over the top is reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, although Blunt's vocals aren't quite as smooth or as impressive as Buckley's. The first single from the album was "You're Beautiful" and if you've seen the album ...
...efforts, but it's a laid back down-tempo pop track, although the vocals aren't quite as soaring this time around. This is one of my personal favourites on the album After so many of the songs sound like they could have been borrowed from Jeff Buckley, even the title of "Goodbye My Lover" sounds like one of his. Despite using a piano intro rather than the guitar, the song as a whole is very like Buckley again, being a simple pop ballad with Blunt's ... Read review

Advantages: Strong - brilliant vocals, Upbeat, euphoric, emotive
Disadvantages: gets a little bogged down in the middle

James Blunt - Back to Bedlam Info: Tracks: 10 Length: 39.27 Produced by: Tom Rothrock ©2004 Custard Records Something that isn't seen much in the modern music industry is a simple acoustic band/singer with great lyrics and soft rhythmic instrumentals. Often such uncomplicated acts cant make it in the contemporary music scene, how fortunate it is then that James Blunt is so much more than this. The first thing that jumped out at me from the record ...
...the album takes a step back in tone. The folksy acoustic verses and elegant bluesy instrumentals create a surprisingly light and airy atmosphere for a song that is in fact a retrospective about a love that couldn't be his. In this song he has created what he is very good at creating; the feelings of a brief fleeting moment crystallized in a song. Wise Men - 3.42 This is one of two singles on the album (along with high) and its easy to agree with ... Read review

Advantages: Some great tunes, mellow sound
Disadvantages: A few samey sounds

...single and an interesting video. Back To Bedlam was a modest seller upon release, it was nothing spectacular and when You're Beautiful was released it entered outside the top ten. But unlike every other single release, this was one that grew in popularity and actually climbed the charts and eventually took the number one spot for several weeks. Not only that but it helped to propel the album to the top of the charts dislodging Coldplay in the process. ...
...be further from the truth; Back To Bedlam has been on steady rotation for a long time on the drive to work. I actually started to check out some of this music after being hooked by the TV adverts for the album. The album kicks off with 'High', this song was actually released as a single some time ago but did nothing. With the success of the album it's no going to be re-released as a single and will probably do a lot better. It certainly set's the ... Read review

Advantages: A classic, brooding album
Disadvantages: Can't think of any!

...Are you a fan of Damien Rice, James Blunt or David Gray? Then this is an album you simply must at least listen to. A modern classic that should be up there with the greats, Van Morrison, Damian Rice's "O" or James Blunt's Back to Bedlam. He has a fabulous voice and a raw talent for writing amazing songs, and he should be a huge star. Apparently the story of Ray LaMontagne discovery is a bit of a legend. Living in Maine, as a recluse in a log cabin, he underwent a sudden conversion to music. Armed with his guitar, off he travelled to California to make music, he met up with Ethan Johns, the amazing producer behing Kings of Leon and within a matter of months, Trouble was made. LaMontagne's songs are rewarding and have many layers, there's so many songs I love on this album, but it took a couple of listens to get really into it... Read review

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