Review:
“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 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. 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’re Beautiful), it’s like a ‘Dear John’ letter from a lover who you know will remain a close but ultimately guarded friend.” JM
“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.” JM
“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.” JM
2.23
2.9
18.95
