James Blunt

“Back to Bedlam” (Atlantic)

Compare to: Jason Mraz, Gavin Degraw, Teitur

Either writing or co-writing every song on “Back to Bedlam,” James Blunt’s voice borders on whininess, coming in a little strained at times.

Yet, given the content of the material he is singing about, it works, making the emotion he expresses seem more real.

“You’re Beautiful,” a song about catching the eye and smile of a random woman in the subway who is with another guy, falls short. Singing about how he’ll never see her again, he continues on and on about how beautiful she is. He wails about how he’ll never see her again, yet he has never even spoken with her.

At first the song seems romantic, but after listening to it a few times, he comes across sounding pathetic. For all he knows, the object of his affection could quite possibly have smiled out of politeness and not felt any more connection than that. Yet, the beat and music is catchy enough that it seems to shield the mediocrity of the lyrics.

“Goodbye My Lover,” “So Long, Jimmy” and “Billy” are sad tributes trying to let go of those close to him, while “Tears and Rain” is about him trying to let go of himself.

“How I wish I could surrender my soul; shed the clothes that become my skin.”

Reflecting upon his own experience in the English army and his long family heritage of serving in the armed services, he closes the CD with “No Bravery,” a song about the sadness war brings to families.

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– Teresa Krug