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Back To Bedlam

James Blunt

2004 recording. Genres: Rock \ Soft ~
Click for Album description from Plex
Back To Bedlam
Soulful British crooner James Blunt's wistful debut infuses the listener -- in order -- with rainy-day hope, the wistful comfort of unattainable love, and finally, world-weary resignation. While his parched falsetto recalls Gasoline Alley-era Rod Stewart with a healthy dose of Antony and the Johnsons, it's the late Elliott Smith who casts the largest shadow on Back to Bedlam. Predictable but effective four-chord guitar motifs are the chosen vehicle for the ex-Royal Armed Forces soldier, and when they connect ("Wiseman," "Goodbye My Lover," "You Are Beautiful"), it's like a "Dear John" letter from a lover who you know will remain a close but ultimately guarded friend. Opening track "High" sets a determined midtempo pace that rarely wanes -- it's like an acoustic version of "Drive" by the Cars with a Coldplay chorus. It's a pace that would sink some records, but Bedlam's perfectly rendered, under 40-minute run time ensures that the listener doesn't suffer from a melancholy overdose. Blunt recounts his harrowing experiences as part of the NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo on the closer, "No Bravery," and it's a shock to hear all of the romantic lyricism that informed Bedlam up to this point reduced to "Old men kneel and accept their fate/Wives and daughters cut and raped/A generation drenched in hate," but it's damn effective -- as is the majority of this fine debut. ~ James Christopher Monger
Cover of 'Back To Bedlam' - James Blunt
1. High [4m 03s]2. You’re Beautiful [3m 33s]3. Wisemen [3m 42s]4. Goodbye My Lover [4m 18s]5. Tears and Rain [4m 04s]6. Out of My Mind [3m 33s]7. So Long Jimmy [4m 24s]8. Billy [3m 37s]9. Cry [4m 06s]10. No Bravery [4m 02s]Total duration: 39m 26s

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