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. 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. 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.
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 Are Beautiful"), it's like a "Dear John" letter from a lover who you know will remain a close but ultimately guarded friend. 12.Come Back To Me 5:35 13.Black Cat (Video Mix/Short Solo Single Album) 4:31 14.Love Will Never Do (Without You) 4:34 15.The Best Things In Life Are Free (with Luther 4:36 Vandross and special guests BBD & Ralph Tresvant) 16.Thats The Way Love Goes 4:26 Disc 2 1. Some of the tracks sound like the opening tune 'High', the others sound like the following track 'You’re Beautiful,' then two are piano ballads 'Goodbye My Lover' and 'No Bravery' bookend the ending halves of the album.
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. As formulaic as the songwriting is on Back to Bedlam, at least there was some variety.
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.