Customer Reviews

Back to Bedlam

5 star:		(274)
4 star:		(68)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(20)
1 star:		(59)

 

 

This album is not something you'd expect from a guy who studied engineering, was a part of the NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo, rode horseback for the Queen and watched over the Queen Mother as she lay in state. Colorful background aside, it's hard to imagine his reedy falsetto warbling through the streets of Serb villages or recording music in his landlady's bathroom, but that's exactly the way it happened for James Blunt.

His voice takes a little getting used to, but the track "Goodbye My Lover" brings to mind Supertramp's "Goodbye Stranger" from the Breakfast in America album. Most of the other tracks display a lot of raw emotion. Drawing from personal experience, he sings of love, heartbreak, pain, relationships and unattainable romance.

The first single "High" asks:

"Will you be my shoulder when I'm grey and older?
Promise me tomorrow starts with you"

Other prime tracks are "Wisemen" the second hit single; "You're Beautiful" about a love that can never be (watch out for the single, totally unexpected expletive); and "So Long Jimmy" and "Billy" which up the tempo just a tad.

As the emotionally charged track "Cry" begins:

"I have seen peace, I have seen pain,
Resting on the shoulders of your name.
Do you see the truth through all their lies?
Do you see the world through troubled eyes?
And if you want to talk about it anymore,
Lie here on the floor and cry on my shoulder.
I'm a friend."

After you listen to this album, you'll feel you have a friend in James.


Amanda Richards, July 6, 2005

This stunning debut by James Blunt--a British soldier turned musician--will take your breath away; literally! Every single track on this beautiful release is lyrically multidimensional with incredible depth and addictive melodies. It's definitely the best release by a new artist this year hands down.

The ballad-heavy, Back to Bedlam, is romanticism reinvented. The ecstatic High starts off the album with James pleading, "Will you be my shoulder / when I am gray and older / promise me tomorrow starts with you."

It's followed by "You're Beautiful"--an ode to love that can't be had. Equally beautiful and heartbreaking as he sings, "But it's time to face the truth / I will never be with you."

"Wisemen", one of my favorite tracks, asks "Gotta ask yourself the question / where are yo now?" It's one of those

In the melancholic ballad "Goodbye my Lover", James pleads with his departed love to remember the good times they had together and try to be his friend. He ends it with the chilling, "I'm so hollow baby / I'm so hollow."

Then comes my favorite track in this release, "Tears and Rain", in which James wishes he could do away with all the demons in his head and soul; the conflicts that come with the simple act of living life. He even makes a reference to 'Dorain Gray"--Oscar Wild's alter ego character from The Picture of Dorian Gray. Absolutely solid track!

The album goes on with songs commenting on the craziness of life's affairs with "Out of my Mind" to infidelity with "Billy."

"Cry" and "No Bravery" are two emotionally packed tracks through which James tells us what he thinks of war. In "No Bravery" he goes:

"There are children standing here,
Arms outstretched into the sky,
Tears drying on their face.
He has been here.
Brothers lie in shallow graves.
Fathers lost without a trace.
A nation blind to their disgrace,
Since he's been here.

And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness."

James Blunt's voice takes some time to get used to, but his passion, lyrics and music are irresistible. He is to 2005 what Damien Rice was to 2004: definitely the best new artist of the year!

I've never listened to an album so much since Keane's. It's guaranteed to satisfy regardless of what genre of music you are into.

I am still singing along!

James Blunt spent a year in Kosovo as a soldier in the British Army, and that exposure of the horrors of strife and conflict inspired the emotional tenor of his work as an artist. The lyrics and melodies he wrote in his spare time from soldiering formed the genesis of his impressive debut album, Back to Bedlam. With a unique falsetto voice that fits perfectly with his acoustic guitar based melodies, Blunt creates a style that is parts folk, rock, pop, and indie, and eminently listenable.

The songs feel familar and comfortable at first listen, but what is interesting about Blunt is that his chords, melodies, and often lyrics veer in unpredictable directions, but with great results. Just when you think you know where the song is going, he changes it up a bit. That is the mark of a talented artist. Sonically, the songs are quite rich. The overall production values remind me a lot of Sarah McLachlan's: rich, deep, judicious use of strings and piano, and well crafted combination of instruments that juxatopose his unique voice. Some claim that Blunt as a songwriter envokes David Gray or John Mayer. I disagree, if anything I hear more of an Annie Lennox or Tracy Chapman, but with more melodic hooks.

Don't be suprised if you start hearing James Blunt popping up on television shows and radio everywhere. His music is accessible, enjoyable, and highly listenable, and if he can continue writing songs like High, Wiseman, So Long Jimmy, Goodbye My Lover, and No Bravery(which is heavily influenced by his experience in Kosovo), he will have a long career. Often #1 albums in Britain don't have the same appeal in the US, but if any album can crossover, this one can.

Note: This is listed as having explicit lyrics, mainly due to a pretty blatant F bomb in "you're beautiful." There weren't any others that I heard. If you find that word offensive, pick up the clean version, which has the radio/video edit

OK, so those folks across the pond were in on this before most of us, but now that we've got it, wow are we lucky. This has to be near the top of my "Best of 2005" list because it's somehow different, perfectly produced and includes ten totally diverse songs that make this first effort quite amazing. Starting with "High" the opening song, and followed by the radio single, "You're Beautiful" and right through to the tenth song, "No Bravery", this CD is first rate. Only down side - the F word on the non-radio version of "You're Beautiful", which honestly works better using the word flying as the F word anyway. It's more natural and doesn't seem so forced. I use the F word, but frankly it just wasn't necessary here. Bought the Clean version of the CD after having the explicit copy..........suggest you do the same! James Blunt is the real thing!

James Blunt spent a year in Kosovo as a soldier in the British Army, basically meandering unsure of what he'd find. The lyrics and melodies he wrote in his spare time from soldiering formed the genesis of his impressive debut album, Back to Bedlam. With a unique falsetto voice that fits perfectly with his acoustic guitar based melodies, Blunt creates a style that is parts folk, rock, pop, and indie, and highly listenable.

The songs feel familar and comfortable at first listen, but what is interesting about Blunt is that his chords, melodies, and often lyrics veer in unpredictable directions, but with great results. Just when you think you know where the song is going, he changes it up a bit. That is the mark of a talented artist. Sonically, the songs are quite rich. The overall production values remind me a lot of Sarah McLachlan's: rich, deep, judicious use of strings and piano, and well crafted combination of instruments that juxatopose his unique voice. Some claim that Blunt as a songwriter envokes David Gray or John Mayer. I disagree, if anything I hear more of an Annie Lennox or Tracy Chapman, but with more melodic hooks.

Don't be suprised if you start hearing James Blunt popping up on television shows and radio everywhere. His music is accessible, enjoyable, and highly listenable, and if he can continue writing songs like High, Wiseman, So Long Jimmy, Goodbye My Lover, and No Bravery(which is heavily influenced by his experience in Kosovo), he will have a long career. Often #1 albums in Britain don't have the same appeal in the US, but if any album can crossover, this one can.

This version is the "clean" version, but there is literally no musical difference between the two versions, other than the removal of several profane words, especially one in "Your Beautiful." You really can't go wrong with either version though

I discovered James Blunt a few days ago during my morning commute. A DJ at WPLJ in New York had just returned from a trip to Europe and couldn't stop raving about the single "You're Beautiful." Coincidentally, Blunt happened to be in New York at the time and - even though his record hadn't been officially released in America yet - invited him onto the program to perform a set. On the strength of that performance, I went out and purchased the import album.

Blunt - who has a colorful past in the Royal Armed Forces - may be a great, emerging singer-songwriter. His debut album is mature and tuneful, with deftly written lyrics. It is unusual to have a pop-song make reference to Dorian Grey nowadays, but Blunt pulls it off. Now, I am hearing "You're Beautiful" on mainstream American stations, so I can only assume his popularity will continue to rise.

I love James Blunt's music!!! My youngest sister found out about him last year when he's still barely known in the US. She told me she just heard this person with the most unique and wonderful voice. You must know that my sister is very hungry for new sound, she's tired of what's currently playing in the radio. After she heard JB, she searched him & found his video "You're Beautiful." She introduced me to JB's music & all 3 of us sisters got hooked. We were very fortunate to actually see him live in concert in Warfield, SF on April 6th, and I must confess that it was the time of our lives. We'were practically 2 feet away from him. We stood the whole concert for the whole 5 hours, plus the wait outside the venue, but we didn't mind :)
Back to reviewing this CD...what can I say is just I LOVE every song.
HIGH--is JB's way of describing how he felt watching the rising sun. According to JB, the inspiration came to him after staying late at night and witnessing the dawn. It's very uplifting.

YOU're BEAUTIFUL--I'm sure everybody knows about this by now. It's his first single & video in the US. The song is very simple, but very addicting. I don't know why. It may seem simple, but it's actually hard to sing to it. I love this song.
WISEMEN--very fun & catchy song. I love the part, where he ask, "Where are you now?"

GOODBYE MY LOVER--according to JB, it is the most personal song for him. He recorded it in the bathroom of Carrie Fisher (Actress) in Los Angeles, where she actually keeps a grand piano. During his concert, he pours his heart when singing this song, and I got teary-eyed. I was overwhelmed by this song.

TEARS & RAIN--is my favorite! This is the song, which I can totally connect with James. To me it's about looking deep inside you, surveying your inner feelings & thoughts about life and the present time. My favorite lines are:
"How I wish I could walk through the doors of my mind;
Hold memory close at hand,Help me understand the years.
How I wish I could choose between Heaven and Hell. How I wish I would save my soul.I'm so cold from fear. I guess it's time I 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."

OUT OF MY MIND--is another catchy & fast song. love the lyrics: Judging by the look on the organ grinder,
He'll judge me by the fact that my face don't fit.
It's touching that the MONKEY sits on my shoulder. James using the "Monkey King" in his logo. There is a great story behind that monkey :p

SO LONG JIMMY--great lyrics & music. One of the highlight in JB's concert. He just love performing this song. What've heard this is dedicated to the famous JIMs Morrison & Hendrix. As you may know, James is also Jimmy. I guess James is trying to compare his humble self & songwriting skills to the famous JIMs.

BILLY--is about a prodigal son. According JB, he wrote this song for Billy, an irresponsible friend :) who owes him money and who's now in-charge of website: jamesblunt.com. Billy is really a coold guy!!

CRY--another favorite of mind. This song is just like talking to a friend while trying to help her open up and speak to you. It's about friendship & sharing during those dificult time.

NO BRAVERY--a very emotional song not just for James but to the listeners. This is based on his experience as a soldier in Kosovo war. In concert, he plays the piano with great intensity and variety of emotions. You can hear in the song what he's feeling...sadness, fear, fury, disappointment,etc. I can't forget James's eyes and face when he sang this, as if he's reliving the war again. It breaks my heart, but what a release!!!

James Blunt is great. BUT if you want the version of You're Beautiful that is playing on the radio and MTV, get the clean version. In the explicit version, the phrase "flying high" is replaced with "fu**ing high." We made the mistake of getting the explicit version not realizing the explicit word was in You're Beautiful. Ruined the song for us so we sold it and bought the clean version. Not much different except for that song - but it was an important difference to us.

Well, I'm on the clean version of this album because, I have a six year old (who will be seven soon) who listens to this CD in my car stereo. So, gotta keep it clean.

This CD is AMAZING. I've had this for a week now, and I really like it a lot. The songs on this album are simple yet AMAZING. The lyrics, melodies, and the harmony are just AMAZING. The words and music are quite heartfelt and would move you. This is actually a feel good album. If you want to feel good, take 20 mg of James Blunt and you'll feel good - guaranteed. This kind of album comes along RARELY, and that's what makes this album special. The songs are passionate such as the song, "Goodbye My Lover". The heartfelt and poignant song, "You're Beautiful", is exactly how I would feel when I see a beautiful woman somewhere, a woman that I'm very attracted to, and manage to have eye contact with her, and in that shared moment, it seems like it lasted a lifetime; and with that as in the video of this song, I've decided to end my life because, I've achieved fulfillment. Yes, I know, it sounds crazy.

James Blunt has been compared with a lot of fantastic artists, but here's my comparison. I compare him with the LEGENDS. In the songs, "Tears and Rain", and "Billy", James voice and music style here reminds me of Cat Stevens. I could imagine Cat singing these songs. In the song, "So Long, Jimmy", James voice and music style here reminds me of John Lennon. I could imagine John singing this song, too, and in the song, "Wisemen", James music style here reminds me of Elton John. James Blunt is the NEXT BIG THING to be watched and followed . I can't wait to hear his next album.

I went in search of the artist who sang "You're Beautiful" after an episode of ER featured it at the end of one of their shows.

While that song is great, it's not the best . The whole album is a nice blend of pop, folk, and an original sound I can't quite put my finger on. Flute, piano , and acoustic guitar, lend to different songs, each in a unique way.

I normally don't buy CDs , and would rather just download, but this was one I made an exception for. In today's day and age of quickly cranked out music by "artists" who don't even write their own music, it's nice to come across someone whose heart,soul, and life experiences, brings a visually vivid picture of the individual to his listeners.

This is one that some of the folks on my Christmas list will be getting in their stockings.