Ok, so you know how sometimes you have an idea and you wanna do something about it because it's something that for once is not difficult and it's something that you enjoy, and yet you can't get yourself in gear enough to actually do it? lol.Well, that's been my problem for the past week and a half with trying to decide how to review the newest James Blunt album "All the Lost Souls". I finally figured the best way to do this is to review each song so here we go (I'll once again include my favourite lyrics):
1973
I really love this track, there's just something about it, when you listen to it you feel like you're going back in time to the 70's (or what I imagine the 70's were like since I wasn't born yet lol), anyway it's just a really catchy, mellow tune. Actually that can pretty much be said for this whole album.
Simona
Wish I had known that
What seemed so strong
Has been and gone
I would call you up every Saturday night
And we'd both stay out 'til the morning light
And we sang, "Here we go again"
And though time goes by
I will always be
In a club with you
In 1973
Singing, "Here we go again"
One of the Brightest Stars
The melody in this one is actually similar to a lot of the tracks from his first album but the lyrics are the thing that get my attention. It's a very humble, personal view of the singers take on fame. Perhaps the reason I like it so much is because it's very true.
One day your story will be told,
One of the lucky ones, who´s made his name
One day they´ll make you glorious,
Beneath the lights of your deserved fame.
And it all comes round once in life a lifetime like it always does
Everybody loves you cause you´ve taken a chance out on a dance to the moon, too soon
And they'll say told you so, we were the ones who saw you first of all
We always knew that you were one of the brightest stars
I'll Take Everything
This one is once again a very relaxing mellow song, maybe a little to mellow bordering on depressing since it talks about human mortality. But I guess at the same time the message is to not take life for granted.
Have my body, have my mind
Have my coat, take my time
These I borrow.
Borrow so far
Turn to dust
Fall apart
Here I swear
Forever is just a minute to me
And I'll take everything!
In this life!
I'll join everyone
Oh, and understand
'Cause all men die ('cause all men die)
'Cause all men die
Same Mistake
This is by far my favourite track on the album, because it's sang with so much emotion and there's just something about those soft oooh's that get to you.
And so I sent some men to fight,
And one came back at dead of night,
said "Have you seen my enemy?"
said "he looked just like me"
So I set out to cut myself
And here I go
oo oooooo ooo ooo oo oooo...
I'm not calling for a second chance,
I'm screaming at the top of my voice,
Give me reason, but don't give me choice,
Cos I'll just make the same mistake again,
Carry You Home
This is another beautifully arranged song with very poignant lyrics, sang with tender emotion something James Blunt is a master at in my opinion. It's definitely another fave of mine.
Trouble is her only friend and he's back again
Makes her body older than it really is
And she says it's high time she went away
No ones got much to say in this town
Trouble is the only way is down, down, down
As strong as you were
Tender you go
I'm watching you breathing
For the last time
A song for your heart
But when it is quiet
I know what it means
And I'll carry you home
I'll carry you home
Give Me Some Love
Musically this is my fave track on the album, I love how it starts out slow and then builds to an energetic chorus. The lyrics of this song make you wonder, now James himself has said the song was written to be fun and silly but to me it has a very serious undertone.
Me and my guitar play my way
It makes them frown
The little pieces by the highway
Bring me down
Mine is not a heart of a stone
I am only skin and bone
Those little pieces are little pieces of my own
Why don't you give me some love
I've taken a shipload of drugs
I'm so tired of never fixing the pain
Valium said to me
I'll take you seriously
And we'll come back
As someone else
Who's better than yourself
I Really Want You
This song although it has another interesting sound I'm not really a fan of it maybe because again it sounds too much like a lot of his songs from "Back to Bedlum".
Many prophets preach on bended knee
Many clerics wasted wine
Through those bloody sheets
On those cardboard streets
I have wasted time
I really want you to really want me
But I really don't know if you can do that
I know you want to know what's right
But I know it's so hard for you to do that
And time's running out as often it does
And often dictates that you can't do that
If they can't break this feeling inside
That's burning up through my veins
No matter what I say or do
The message isn't getting through
And you're listening to the sound
Of my breaking heart
Shine On
Along with "Carry You Home" this is my 2nd favourite ballad, James's vocals blend perfectly with the soft piano and acoustic guitar. Giving it another very sweet very tender feel. Which as I've mentioned is pretty much the singers staple sound. The lyrics are beautifully bittersweet as well. I really like it.
And when silence greets my last goodbye
The words I need are in your eyes
And I'll sing .....
Shine on, just shine on
Close your eyes and they'll all be gone
They can scream and shout that they've been sold out but it paid for the cloud that we're dancing on
So shine on, just shine on
With your smile just as bright as the sun
Cause they're all just slaves to the Gods they've made
But you and I just shone, just shone
Annie
This one is not really a favourite of mine either, again a little too similar but still a very solid track.
Annie, would it be nice to be recognized?
Did you practice your autograph?
But now no ones asked
And it's such a shame
Your dreams are crumbling
'Cause Annie you're a star
You're just not going very far
And all the world will know your name
And you'll be famous as you are
'Cause I'll sing for you
I Can't Hear the Music
Once again a very personal track, the sound reminds me of a particular song but I just can't put my finger on it.
Is it a warning?
Is it an evil sign?
Is it a people
who have lost their mind?
Is it the darkness?
Is it a man resigned?
Is it a best friend
leaving you behind?
Is it ever gonna stop
will they ever let you go
your in a rush they don't care enough
cause there lives are very slow
time is ticking on
you don't get a second shot
and when you sell your soul
for a leading role will the lost souls be forgot
And if I can’t hear the music
And the audience is gone
I’ll dance here on my own.
And I hope the lonely hearts club band
Will play out one last song
Before the sun goes down.
Overall this album is an absolute pleasure, I honestly didn't think James could top the success of his debut CD but he proved me wrong.
After multiple listens I still can't get enough. It has completely won me over to the point where I'm enjoying this one even more then "Back to Bedlum".
Definitely a worthy follow up and a worthy purchase, so go out and get yourself a copy if you haven't already that is;).
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