- Label
- Atlantic
- Release date
- 17th September 2007
- Genre
- Singer/songwriter
- Buy this album
- Order CD
Funkier second effort from perennially popular singer-songwriter
James Blunt has, in the past, been impossible to avoid by anyone who owns a radio or television, and as a result – since his style and voice are pretty unique – opinion has become divided as to whether or not he’s any good. His second album is refreshingly free from experimentation or modification and focuses instead on what it is that he does best.
His trademark plaintiveness and mellow arrangements and melodies are given a little adrenalin on All The Lost Souls – from lively opener 1973, which places curiously anachronistic lyricism over pacy rock – to I’ll Take Everything, which seemingly borrows from Charles & Eddie in its loping grooves. You either like Blunt’s voice or you don’t, and this time around there is at least no You’re Beautiful-esque ear-worm which, once it’s burrowed into your brain, can never be dislodged. Lyrically mature, if not completely free from romantic clichés and the occasional lapse into over-earnestness (particularly the faintly embarrassing refrain on Give Me Some Love) and musically accomplished, this is a welcome addition to the British pop canon.
More to try: Charles & Eddie – Duophonic James Taylor – JT Randy Newman – 12 Songs
