- All The Lost Souls : by James Blunt

The new album "All The Lost Souls" travels through life and death, presenting the ups and downs of James's extraordinary journey.
The album draws on influences from many artists of the 70s - Fleetwood Mac, Elton John and a touch of Bowie - and tells us most of what we need to know in the title.
Blunt has recorded a selection of songs that follow on naturally from "Back to Bedlam". The musical range is ballad to mid-tempo, all of it expertly played and produced.
The point of Blunt, however, is his lyrics, which are calculated to produce a pounding in sensitive bosoms.
Already in the opening "1973", the British singer is wishing he was sober, while by the time we reach "Give Me Some Love", he confesses to having taken a shipload of drugs.
He wants to share his pain at being a successful pop star whose soul is in torment.
"All the Lost Souls" is so similar to "Back to Bedlam" that it will no doubt keep his fans happy but will also fail to win over any of his critics.
The retro-inspired "1973" is a classic pop hit while those anticipating the love ballads of his debut album will not be disappointed with the tracks "I Really Want You" and "Carry You Home".
His live band lifts the lyrics and succeeds in creating an impressive background of catchy beats and rhythms. But while there is plenty of material for his fans to enjoy there's also plenty of clichés which show Blunt's banality and lack of range - "1973" is the only attempt to branch out from his comfort zone and even then he doesn't venture too far.

- Back To Bedlam [Explicit]:

Details

* Original Release Date: January 4, 2005
* Label: Custard/Atlantic
* Copyright: 2005 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States
* Genres: Pop/Adult Alternative, Pop/General, Rock/General, Pop
* Format: Explicit Lyrics

- Back To Bedlam : by James Blunt

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.

- You're Beautiful

To be really honest with you, the past year really hasn't brought out much in the way of great music, which definitely was unfortunate. Yet, what I was surprised about recently was a newcomer from Britain named James Blunt. While he may not ats like performers like Britney Spears, he has a very unique voice that really stands out well. His debut single, You're Beautiful, is a simple kind of pop song that really carries out well. Although I've heard the track a couple of times, it is just a simple pop song. Yet, James' voice has a distinction of being a very young Rod Stewart, with a great feeling of pop music. All that I can hope for from James Blunt is that he keeps up the feeling of his voice, and hopefully continues to make some more great pop sounds like these.
James Blunt was just on Oprah a few weeks ago singing this song, and telling Oprah the story behind the song, "Your Beautiful". It's about his ex-girlfriend that he saw on a train with her new guy. They shared a moment, and he never saw her, again. Can you imagine?!! This song that he wrote about his ex-girlfriend is a big hit!!! That's the best revenge when you get dumped, you become rich and famous. Wonder what she's thinking now?

- 1973 :

Details

* Original Release Date: September 3, 2007
* Label: Custard/Atlantic
* Copyright: 2007 Atlantic Recording Coporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. All Rights Reserved.
* Genres: Pop/General, Rock/General, Pop

- You're Beautiful (Clean Edit) : by James Blunt

Details

* Original Release Date: July 19, 2005
* Label: Atlantic Records
* Copyright: 2005 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
* Genres: Pop/General, Pop