James Blunt
Back to Bedlam

The word "bedlam" can take on different meanings. Chaos. Madhouse. Pandemonium. Subtle nuances. Surely James Blunt has passed through one of these places, metaphorically (or, who knows, maybe in a more real manner). This album is a testimony of inner life more than of life lived. It's a snapshot of many small moments in themselves apparently insignificant, yet full of more meaning than ever. How life is multifaceted and enigmatic, tragic and at the same time unexpectedly full of hope and happy moments... well, James Blunt shows us that. And what is surprising is that he doesn't do it with 'force'. His music doesn't need to be understood or interpreted. It flows freely and seeps under the skin, even of the most reluctant.

One certainly cannot say that on first listen one can detect remarkable originality regarding the music, but neither can it be said that it falls into a rather suspected banality. The 'acoustic' opening of the album with "High" promises well. This first track of an interesting playlist seems to exude a certain optimism (not surprisingly it was played to death on television!), and indeed, though it speaks of sunsets, nights, and stars, it seems to constitute a triumph of perfect harmony of elements, natural and human (Sometimes it's hard to believe you remember me). And unexpectedly, what happens? The triumph seems to continue (illusively) only to shatter in "You're Beautiful", a sublime song about a love not so conventional. Platonic love, sudden, lived, and ended in the same moment. Let's say, the story of soulmates who will never have each other. It moves on to "Wiseman", a track perhaps a bit unfortunate regarding the structure of the album because it seems to break the climactic atmosphere that seemed to be forming. Fortunately, this balance is restored with "Goodbye My Lover". Nothing to say. Romanticism in all its facets, made into a song. And here comes the introspective turn of the album. "Tears and Rain" encloses that desire to lose oneself and hide, will and desire (the noted figure of Dorian Gray becomes emblematic of all this). But the piece that perhaps best represents Blunt is "Out of My Mind" (in the acknowledgments, there's even the monkey, an imaginary friend he talks about in this song!). It progresses towards the end with "So Long Jimmy" and "Billy", notably catchy tracks with sounds, however, that completely diverge from the rest of the songs (and in particular "Billy" also seems to be the least autobiographical piece, yet not out of place in that fragmentary picture of life the author sets out to create). In conclusion, "Cry" and "No Bravery" prove to be the most 'painful' pieces where James Blunt's voice becomes strained but expressive because it prevails over the music and gains fullness of meaning.

Ultimately, it is an excellent album both from the musical perspective and that of the content. One should not lose sight of a determining element in the analysis of this album, that is, Blunt's voice itself, which plays a fundamental role in listening as well as in communication. Why listen to Back to Bedlam? To understand how complex and astonishing life is when seen with much less superficiality.