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Rating: 2006, it’s summer...
...I'm at home and have nothing to do. I decide to turn on the radio, as the television is broken, to distract myself a bit from the heavy and boring summer atmosphere. There's no one around, so I turn up the volume. I indulge in some station surfing and absentmindedly realize I've stopped: the device is broadcasting a song that I must have heard somewhere before...curious, even though with little hope of finding something good, I continue listening. The song doesn’t sound bad at all. I wait for the end to reveal the name of the artist... James Morrison, perfect. I then decide to turn on the PC, to search for more material from the young man. 2 hours later, I bought the CD.
The CD consists of 11 songs (in the Italian version), which unfold across various genres including pop, rock, blues, and soul. It starts immediately with a lively song called "Under The Influence." The parts of the various instruments seem almost improvised, with touches of jazz and blues here and there, reinforcing an atmosphere between rock and soul. It continues with "You Give Me Something," the first single from the Rugby boy, somewhat the album’s weak point, but still listenable. At number 3, we find "Wonderful World," the second single. Incredibly, in my opinion, the songwriter managed to make this song a triumph of instruments in harmony, combined with a nice text and his rough voice.
Continuing, we find "The Pieces Don’t Fit Anymore" a sweet and melancholic ballad, although perhaps a bit too 'television series-like.' Moving on, at number 5, we can see "One Last Chance," a pleasant piece in which the singer showcases his skill in combining words and music, followed by "Undiscovered," another single that gives the album its name. The soul influence is marked in this song, which strongly reminds of Stevie Wonder. The seventh, "The Letter," is a beautiful duet between voice and keyboards, accompanied by a rather pressing drum. One is surprised when reaching track 8: "Call The Police" is indeed rock-styled with a fairly tough text. The artist changes stylistic direction again in the following piece, "This Boy," perhaps the most beautiful of the album: the song begins with a beautiful voice-guitar duet and then grows in all its beauty (this “crescendo” is usual in Morrison’s songs). James concludes with two ballads: "If The Rain Must Fall" and "The Last Goodbye." The use of strings is pronounced in the latter.
The result is a coherent fusion of genres, with influences from many important artists, including John Martyn, Van Morrison, Otis Redding, Ray LaMontagne, Stevie Wonder, and Cat Stevens.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Under The Influence (04:10)
I was sure, I was born and raised to be my own man
I was so sure; I was never going to need a helping hand
And she said, trust in your heart and there's no need to understand
Well just when I thought I had it planned out
Whatever I do I'm under the influence of you
Whatever I do I'm under the influence of you
I was driving too close to the edge and living dangerously
I felt strange a warm sensation rising up inside of me
Oh like a tidal wave came from nowhere swept me off my feet
Oh but somehow making me complete now
Whatever I do I'm under the influence of you
Whatever I do I'm under the influence of you
Whatever I do I'm under the influence of you
Whatever I do I'm under the influence of you
Once you've had a taste of it there's no going back
Once you've had a taste of it there's no going back
Once you've had a taste of it there's no going back
Once you've had a taste of it there's no going back
Whatever I do I'm under the influence of you
Whatever I do I'm under the influence of you
Whatever I do I'm under the influence of you
Whatever I do I'm under the influence of you
04 The Pieces Don't Fit Anymore (04:19)
I've been twisting and turning,
In a space that's too small.
I've been drawing the line and watching it fall,
You've been closing me in, closing the space in my heart.
Watching us fading and watching it all fall apart.
Chorus
Well I can't explain why it's not enough, Cause I gave it all to you.
And if you leave me now, oh just leave me now.
Its the better thing to do,
Its time to surrender,
Its been to long pretending.
Theres no use in trying,
When the pieces dont fit anymore, Pieces dont fit here anymore.
You pulled me under,
I had to give in.
Such a beautiful myth,
Thats breaking my skin.
Well i'll hide all the bruises,
I'll hide all the damage thats done.
But I show how Im feeling until all the feeling has gone.
(Chorus)
Ooh don't missunderstand,
How I feel.
Cause I've tried, yes I've tried.
But still I don't know why, no I dont know why.
III dont know why...... whyyyyyyyy!
(Chorus)
06 Undiscovered (03:31)
I look at you, you bite your tongue
I dont know why or where im coming from
And in my head im close to you
We're in the rain still searching for the sun
You think that I wanna run and hide
I'll keep it all locked up inside
I just want you to find me
I'm not lost, I'm not lost, Just undiscovered
We're never alone we're all the same as each other
You see the look thats on my face
You might think im out of place
Im not lost, no no, just undiscovered
Well the time it takes to know someone
It all can change before you know its gone
So close your eyes and feel the way
I'm with you now believe theres nothing wrong
You think that I wanna run and hide
I'll keep it all locked up inside
I just want you to find me
I'm not lost, Im not lost, Just undiscovered
We're never alone we're all the same as each other
You see the look thats on my face you might think im out of place
I'm not lost, no no, just undiscovered
I'm not running
I'm not hiding
If you dig a little deeper you will find me
07 The Letter (03:16)
It's got my name on it,
and it's just waiting there for me,
i feel the cold run through my veins.
and it's got her shame on it,
she couldnt say it to my face,
but i wont waste time placing blame.
(chorus)
but i know that i'll move on,
and tell myself i'll find me something better,
i let go and just forget her.
she was no good for me,
deep down i know that's the way it has to be so,
how comes i still can't open this letter?
i can't forget her.
really wish i could
well, there must be a name for it,
whatever this is you've done to me,
i'm all twisted up inside.
well who's gonna pay for it,
if it's not you i guess it's me,
you left with you're life and took mine.
(chorus)x2
it's got my name on it,
and it's just waiting there for me.
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