The album opening “High” is slightly lacking but still enjoyable, and the mid-album tracks hold up well enough after repeated listens. Clocking in at an average ten tracks, there are barely any truly weak tracks to be found here. I can’t seem to argue much-the song is both catchy and strong and makes a fair introduction to Blunt’s direction and style. If I’m not mistaken, the second track on the record, “You’re Beautiful,” is being released as the first single. Sadly, accompanying this album across the continents also comes the hype that Blunt has garnered in Europe as the ‘next-even-bigger thing than before.’ But, I’m happy to say that once you rip all the press kits, Rolling Stone spotlights, and comparisons away a strong record, and a strong musician really does lie at the heart of this project. Taking everyday heartache, as well as vague-ish political woes and critiques into account for song fodder Blunt delivers quite an entertaining collection of songs. He traded in his gun for a guitar and the grueling life of military service for the grueling life of a touring musician. Both comparisons are actually pretty accurate but his voice holds an almost spot-on similarity to one of the most overlooked talents in indie music today: Angie Aparo.Īs I mentioned earlier, heralding from England, Blunt garnered his label-contract nearly directly after leaving the British Army. I had first heard of Blunt when he was featured in Rolling Stone’s fairly recent “Artists to Watch” feature-he caught my attention for the never-ending comparisons to the immensely talented Elliott Smith, and Irish wunder-fellow Damien Rice. 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.įoobar2000 1.3.9 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1ĭR9 0.00 dB -10.82 dB 3:34 02-You're BeautifulĭR10 0.00 dB -12.71 dB 4:18 04-Goodbye My LoverĭR7 0.00 dB -10.14 dB 4:04 05-Tears And RainĭR5 0.00 dB -8.83 dB 3:33 06-Out Of My MindĭR7 0.00 dB -10.48 dB 4:25 07-So Long, JimmyĭR9 -1.49 dB -15.11 dB 5:06 11-Goodbye My Lover (Acoustic)ĭR10 -1.22 dB -15.Already a media darling back in his homeland of Great Britain, singer-songwriter James Blunt has finally made his long-threatened stateside debut. 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. 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. 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.
While his parched and effeminate 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. 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.
As of 2017, it has sold 3.33 million copies in the UK and over 11 million copies worldwide. By December 2009, the album had been certified 10× Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry for sales of over 3 million, making it the best-selling album of the 2000s in the UK.
Back to Bedlam was the highest-selling album of 2005 in the UK, with over 2.4 million copies sold. It is named after the infamous psychiatric institution of Bethlem Royal Hospital, which is commonly known as Bedlam. Back to Bedlam is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter James Blunt.