James Blunt

[Chubypig]

My brother bought the James Blunt CD and I'm addicted! I don't know why, but every time I listen it gets better and better. Does anyone else like him, and if so, are there other artists like him that you'd recommend? I can't stop listening! :D

[2nyRiggz]

who is he?...sorry dont mean to sound like that but seriously...who is he?


Bless

[Chubypig]

He's a singer from Britain, if I knew how to link from iTunes I would, but I don't :o . His album is "Back to Bedlam". http://www.jamesblunt.com

[Lacero]

Not fair. This should go into Music Discussion. :D

I wrote a post on Texas (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=153100) but that got no replies. :o

Thanks for the info on James Blunt. I'll check out his album.

[Chubypig]

Not fair. This should go into Music Discussion. :D

I wrote a post on Texas (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=153100) but that got no replies. :o

Thanks for the info on James Blunt. I'll check out his album.

Oops :o I never knew the Music Discussion forum existed! sorry. But, now that it's here, we can still talk about him. :D

[Applespider]

Yup, I think I mentioned in him in an 'Artist you've never heard of' earlier this year.

I 'discovered' him thanks to the iTunes free single of the week last November and bought the album soon afterwards. It is great. I saw him doing an acoustic set at the Apple Store in Regent St in June (which is available on iTMS in the UK at least) and in concert in October. Some of his new tracks, not yet released, are really good. There's one in particular about killing someone who dies in your arms which is very moving.

[Chubypig]

Yup, I think I mentioned in him in an 'Artist you've never heard of' earlier this year.

I 'discovered' him thanks to the iTunes free single of the week last November and bought the album soon afterwards. It is great. I saw him doing an acoustic set at the Apple Store in Regent St in June (which is available on iTMS in the UK at least) and in concert in October. Some of his new tracks, not yet released, are really good. There's one in particular about killing someone who dies in your arms which is very moving.

where did you listen to these unreleased tracks? At the concert? I would love to hear them!

[Applespider]

where did you listen to these unreleased tracks? I would love to hear them!

He played them at the two live performances that I've been to; he said that they'd be on the next album. I was so disappointed that they didn't make it to the 'Live in London' iTMS set.

Have a look on the forums at jamesblunt.com; they sometimes have links to live performances that he's done with links to download them.

[Jon'sLightBulbs]

This guy is pretty good. He has a sweet little lyrical style that's cute, if you're into that. I checked him out when he opened for Duran Duran and Beck in Rome. The Italians loved him... but strangely reacted completely nonchalantly when Beck came out.

For Blunt though... one of his more popular tracks is "High." I like it.

[OutThere]

Seriously good stuff...Virgin radio got me addicted to it over the summer when they played him roughly a million times each day on Drivetime/Early Breakfast (Midnight through 4 am my time :eek: :eek: :D :o )

[SamIchi]

Yea this should be in the Music Discussion... Anyways,

Funny, I just "acquired" this album. It was suggested in another forum for people that liked Jack Johnson. I haven't listened to it though. So much music :D

[lem0n]

ooooh... his voice is a bit funny but it's strangely addictive... i love it when he goes "my life is brilliant" and just stop...

[munkle]

Daniel Powter is an artist in a similar vein. Worth checking out if you like James Blunt.

[lem0n]

[double post... the other one has what i treid to say >_<]

[lem0n]

yes, Daniel Powter, that video for "Bad Day" is awesome, the first part where there are 6 people... the juxtaposition is really nice... and he's CANADIAN!!!! [ok, get a bit work up over the Canadian part :p ] his voice is a bit better than Jame Blunt...

[Sic]

he's just another in a long line of boring soppy male songwriters, a la Daniel Powter, Damien Rice, David Gray, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, (although he's got a great voice and i can just about bear to listen to him) and John Mayer, who all just seem like really poor versions of Dashboard Confessional. seems that at the moment, we're intent on not hearing anything new, rather regurgitations of things that have been done to death a thousand times before (see: The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, Futureheads, Kaiser Chiefs, Funeral For a Friend, My Chemical Romance (although some of their songs are ok))

luckily, enough decent and varied music has been released outside the vein that i normally listen to, to hopefully keep me going through this "dry-spell". i must admit that the boredom i feel towards the current music scene has forced me to listen to things i wouldnt normally listen to, and it's enriched my collection somewhat. so i guess i can indirectly thank these talentless drones for something.

[barneygumble]

I have the album, it is not so bad, not the best purchase i have made recently

[iGav]

ooooh... his voice is a bit funny

That's putting it mildly... I'm at a loss to explain how someone who can't sing in tune, never mind carry one can be sooooooooooooooo popular, when the likes of Pete Yorn (http://peteyorn.com/) go completely unnoticed here in the UK. :confused:

[jimN]

That's putting it mildly... I'm at a loss to explain how someone who can't sing in tune, never mind carry one can be sooooooooooooooo popular, when the likes of Pete Yorn (http://peteyorn.com/) go completely unnoticed here in the UK. :confused:

Someone's not a fan! Can't say i agree with you. Would definitely suggest you check out Damine Rice if you like James Blunt. And why not listen to some Tom Mcrae if you can him on iTunes. He's a tad miserable and the first two albums are better than the third but he has some terrific songs.

[Sic]

Someone's not a fan! Can't say i agree with you. Would definitely suggest you check out Damine Rice if you like James Blunt. And why not listen to some Tom Mcrae if you can him on iTunes. He's a tad miserable and the first two albums are better than the third but he has some terrific songs.

/case arrested

[DJY]

I agree.. James Blunt's album is GREAT!

This has become the most played CD in my collection over the past week (figurately speaking of course). Can't remember the last time I actually played a CD but iTunes, iPod etc... this one gets the two thumbs up big time!

I particularly like Goodbye My Lover, High, Your Beautiful, Billy, Cry, No Bravery.

[Dunepilot]

I would refer you to what people who genuinely care about music think about James Blunt, as expressed here (http://www.drownedinsound.com/artist/view/7676) (contains swearing).

James Blunt writes trite music for people who've never heard anything challenging in their lives, and exists so he can be mass-marketed to idiots who see a picture of some silhouetted guy on a psychadelic Doors-esque marketing poster and think to themselves how edgy that is. Pathetic, really pathetic.

There are singer-songwriters playing at all over the UK playing for free at open mic nights who make a mockery of Blunt's abilities.

Instead of James Blunt, I would suggest people listen to the following bands:

Andy, Glenn and Ritch (http://www.andyglennandritch.tk)
Popular Workshop (http://www.myspace.com/popularworkshop)
This Ain't Vegas (http://www.myspace.com/thisaintvegas)
Meet Me in St Louis (http://www.myspace.com/meetmeinstlouis)

[Dagless]

I like that 3 wise men song but everything else is just overplayed. Hes the next "Coldplay" for sure.

[Dagless]

I would refer you to what people who genuinely care about music think about James Blunt, as expressed here (http://www.drownedinsound.com/artist/view/7676) (contains swearing).

James Blunt writes trite music for people who've never heard anything challenging in their lives, and exists so he can be mass-marketed to idiots who see a picture of some silhouetted guy on a psychadelic Doors-esque marketing poster and think to themselves how edgy that is. Pathetic, really pathetic.

There are singer-songwriters playing at all over the UK playing for free at open mic nights who make a mockery of Blunt's abilities.

Instead of James Blunt, I would suggest people listen to the following bands:

Andy, Glenn and Ritch (http://www.andyglennandritch.tk)
Popular Workshop (http://www.myspace.com/popularworkshop)
This Ain't Vegas (http://www.myspace.com/thisaintvegas)
Meet Me in St Louis (http://www.myspace.com/meetmeinstlouis)

ok but what if you just like the sound rather that the deep messages in music? :confused:

[iGav]

There are singer-songwriters playing at all over the UK playing for free at open mic nights who make a mockery of Blunt's abilities.

That's putting it mildly... (heheh)

May I suggest...

There are karaoke-singers playing all over the UK playing for free at karaoke nights who make a mockery of Blunt's abilities.

heheheheh.

[MankieApple]

James Blunt....hes a really cool guy....i mean his voice is amazing...anyone who doubts that really has no idea what they are on about.

There are a few bands which i would personally link to James Blunt...The Killers would be one. Im not to sure but if your into anything im into then you may like Ian Brown, i love his song F.E.A.R.

:) :) :) :)

[mpw]

I really like his album especially track 10 (about his peace keeping experience I think)

What I don't get is all the people who seem to feel the need to rant about how bad it is.

He's sold a shed load of music he's written so a lot of people do like him. It makes me laugh when other artists feel the need to put him down and say how much better their work is when they haven't, to my knowledge, sold anywhere near as many (any?).

I'm not saying he's the best, I don't believe you can possible have a 'best' artist anyway, but he's far, far from the worst I've heard.

And I'm not a sheep fooled into buying the album by slick marketing my easily led brain couldn't resist, I heard one song once on BBC Radio2 and remarked that it was a good song to my wife and tried to describe it to her as I hadn’t heard the title or artist and she went and described it to the guy in the shop and got it for my birthday.

Unfortunately the song I heard and tried to describe was actually Jack Johnson but my sister got me that too and I love both albums so it’s all good.

[Blue Velvet]

What I don't get is all the people who seem to feel the need to rant about how bad it is.




Oooh... one of my pet forum hates at the moment.

I'm starting to get intensely effed off, wound up and ground down by those who feel they need to crash an appreciation thread with a dissenting and often offensively-put view.

That's not to say that dissent is unwelcome but in an appreciation thread about a particular subject, then it just seems ill-mannered and boorish to wade in with your unwanted and often ignorant opinions.

What is the purpose of it?

Are you so insecure and bitter that it makes you feel better about yourself by personally putting other people down in their choice of book, movie, music, etc.?

Do you feel better about yourself by arrogantly standing apart and saying:
"You like this, but I don't... and I want you and everybody here to know what a wonderfully important person I am by pointing this out to you"?

We've had a number of appreciation threads here recently which just seem to attract hostile comments. Got something to detract from other people's enthusiasm? Why not just put a zip in it?

Note that I am talking about appreciation threads. There's a world of difference between threads such as "Smokers: what's your brand?" and "Smoking: good or bad?"

I've never heard James Blunt. But I'm more likely to listen to someone who's enthusiastic than someone who tells me that people who do like him are 'idiots' and 'pathetic'.

[mpw]

...I've never heard James Blunt. But I'm more likely to listen to someone who's enthusiastic than someone who tells me that people who do like him are 'idiots' and 'pathetic'.
Well put.

[Chubypig]

yeah, I didn't mean to start this thread to argue about whether he's good or not. I like him and that's all that matters. Anyway, I will check out some of the suggested artists.

[iGav]

I like him and that's all that matters.

Tis' ;)

Though if you knew half the ***** I listened to, you'd know I shouldn't be handing out advice on music at all. :eek: :p heheh.

[Chubypig]

I downloaded the Daniel Powter CD, it's pretty good so far. :)

[DJY]

I would refer you to what people who genuinely care about music think about James Blunt, as expressed here (http://www.drownedinsound.com/artist/view/7676) (contains swearing).


well, I care about music, and know what I like... and I like it.

Oooh... one of my pet forum hates at the moment.

I'm starting to get intensely effed off, wound up and ground down by those who feel they need to crash an appreciation thread with a dissenting and often offensively-put view.

Hear hear!
Whilst different opinions are always welcome and good, I couldn't agree with you more!

[Sic]

Oooh... one of my pet forum hates at the moment.

<snip>

I've never heard James Blunt. But I'm more likely to listen to someone who's enthusiastic than someone who tells me that people who do like him are 'idiots' and 'pathetic'.

i was under the impression that it was an opinions thread. surely people should be allowed to voice their opinions upon a subject whether positive or negative, that kinda embodies the whole concept of freedom of speech. (something i certainly hope isnt gone yet on the internet) whilst i'll admit that some people can take it too far and become patronising/arrogant, there are people who can say "i don't like it, here's the reasons why". it's got nothing to do with wanting to appear intellectually superior, it's because that's the opinion of the poster.

when it comes to music, i've always been the same. music is good if one person gets passionnate about it. therefore, James Blunt must be good. that doesnt mean that i have to like him, and it also doesnt mean that i should feel reluctant to post my opinion for that very reason. like i said...freedom of speech

[Blue Velvet]

...like i said...freedom of speech

Without wanting to drag the entire thread off-topic, freedom of speech is not an excuse to be rude about people or to take a perverse pleasure from trashing their interests. It's just spoiling for a fight...

To me, they're about as welcome as a PC troll on these boards. Using words like 'idiots', 'trite', 'pathetic' and phrases like 'people who genuinely care about music' imply a sensed feeling of superiority and display an incredible level of condescension.

It was obvious from the first few posts that people wanted to discuss their enjoyment of James Blunt, not to be lectured by someone else.

These are my last words on the subject in this thread.

[jimN]

I rather like the idea that people need to be told what they should and shouldn't like. Those of us who have said we like Blunt's music are directed to a site where people "genuinely care about music" - I'm sorry does that mean that the people here don't. There have always been mainstream acts that people seem to resent for their success and there are plenty of terrific acts who never make it big inspite of clearly possessing real talent. However, to suggest that people are idiots for liking someone's music, and given how well his album is doing that makes a lot of idiots, seems over the top.

I saw James Blunt at the O2 wireless festival last summer having been only partially aware of his music before going. He came across as someone who genuinely loved what he was doing and seemed happy to be there, and the crowd loved listening to him. He has been fortunate in that he seems to have broken into the big time early in his career, however even artists who grafted to get where they are still get knocked. David Gray is a good example of someone people now love to hate and yet he was on the circuit for years prior to breaking oiut with Babylon and White Ladder becoming very successful.

The entertainment industry is full of people who seem to do better than their level of talent should allow and there will always be differences of opinion as to what should and shouldn't do well - the success of irish boybands whose only dance routine consists of standing up from high chairs (if they were on low chairs it might be more impressive) always puzzles me. However, to my mind Blunt has talent and is deservedly successful and I'll continue to enjoy his music regardless of what i am supposed to like according to these so-called 'experts'.

[Veritas&Equitas]

I agree, I'm a James Blunt fan as well.

[Lacero]

iTMS didn't tag 'You're Beautiful (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=81429265&s=143441&i=81428811)' from his new album as explicit. I believe I heard him drop an F-bomb in that song. http://www3.telus.net/poojja/s/undecided.gif Not family friendly.

[DJY]

iTMS didn't tag 'You're Beautiful (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=81429265&s=143441&i=81428811)' from his new album as explicit. I believe I heard him drop an F-bomb in that song. http://www3.telus.net/poojja/s/undecided.gif Not family friendly.

Yes - there are actually two versions of this song...
I got caught out with this one as well...

I had bought the CD and had it on my iPod nano as background music whilst I was administering a large survey group... which of all things was about unacceptable behaviour - particularly general & sexual harrasment (including inappropriate behaviours ranging from swearing, jokes to touching and seuxal assaults!?!!)

Oops! there is a radio release that has "flying high" and the other version which has another "f" word.

[rickvanr]

Is Back to Bedlam his debut and only album? I first got it in the summer, it's good stuff.

As of bands to check out if you like James Blunt, check out Bic Runga.

[DeSnousa]

I like the album, great easy listening. I don't mind the swearing, I think society is generally accepting of swearing to some extent.

[Blue Velvet]

...I think society is generally accepting of swearing to some extent.

That's the real voice of Australia we're hearing here. :D

[DeSnousa]

That's the real voice of Australia we're hearing here. :D

A bit here and there is fine, mate :p It's when some bas***rd takes it to far... ;)

[Chubypig]

Is Back to Bedlam his debut and only album? I first got it in the summer, it's good stuff.

As of bands to check out if you like James Blunt, check out Bic Runga.


Yeah, it's his only one so far. Hopefully he'll release a new one sometime soon!:)

[Chubypig]

A friend of mine says that James Blunt has more CDs in Europe, but they haven't been released in the states? Anyone know if that's true? :confused:

[Applespider]

Nope. He's only got one album out here too. There are a few CD singles but I don't think they have anything 'new' on them just remixes of the album tracks. There are two 'live' EPs on iTMS UK but neither have new tracks. One was recorded in early 2004 and the other at the Apple Store London.

[Benjamindaines]

I like James Blunt but not You're Beautiful. I prefer Billy.

[Chubypig]

*cough* shameless thread revival *cough*

Did anyone see him on SNL this weekend? I thought he was about the best part of the show. Except for a few spots here and there, the comedy was lacking... :(

[Lacero]

I saw him perform this morning on my local breakfast TV show. He was singing solo with only a guitar and he sounded great. Tough to pull off singing without any backup. He looked pretty skinny, though.

/Currently playing: Wicked Soul - Kubb

Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35452 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

[Scarlet Fever]

I hate to be the one who spoils the discussion, but i personally cannot stand his stuff. From the stuff that i have heard, his lyrics seem to be all very meloncholy and shallow. But it is good that he is getting up and playing with a guitar and his own voice, unlike another artist i know (avril lavigne - insert sick icon here)

If you like the acoustic guitar and deep lyric idea, have a listen to some Missy Higgins (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=60756260&s=143460&i=60756206). She is doing very well for herself in Australia, i dont know how she is going elsewhere. I reckon her music is pretty good.

[Scarlet Fever]

oops double post my bad

[Sic]

*cough* shameless thread revival *cough*

Did anyone see him on SNL this weekend? I thought he was about the best part of the show. Except for a few spots here and there, the comedy was lacking... :(

i have no knowledge of SNL, being a brit...but my auntie who lives in america sent me a video of an SNL because it was hosted by Dane Cook and she knows i love him :D is that the one you're talking about?

[Chubypig]

i have no knowledge of SNL, being a brit...but my auntie who lives in america sent me a video of an SNL because it was hosted by Dane Cook and she knows i love him :D is that the one you're talking about?

Yup. Dane Cook is hilarious. :p

[DJY]

I'll also throw my hand up for Missy Higgins too...
but I like James Blunt.

Have gotten a few friends listening to him as well over the past few months - and they are now playing the ablum as well.

[Sic]

Yup. Dane Cook is hilarious. :p

just a shame that his stuff is really hard to find over here. i'd import from the US, but it's the cost of the DVD plus £17 if i get stung on import tax :(

[Dagless]

back to James Blunt though... I heard him talking at the Hootenanny and wow. what a silly voice! I thought his singing voice was unique but really!

I told my girlfriend later on that I thought he might be the last castrate, she went a bit shocked... her brother said the same thing!

[BakedBeans]

i really love james blunts album

[Chappers]

back to James Blunt though... I heard him talking at the Hootenanny and wow. what a silly voice! I thought his singing voice was unique but really!

I told my girlfriend later on that I thought he might be the last castrate, she went a bit shocked... her brother said the same thing!

You mean worse than Beckham ?

[rickvanr]

just a shame that his stuff is really hard to find over here. i'd import from the US, but it's the cost of the DVD plus £17 if i get stung on import tax :(

Isn't he British though?

[Daveway]

I love this guy. If he says jump a cliff, I might consider it.

I remember a few months ago hearing You're Beautiful on a CD my cousin was playing in his car. I knew I had to have that song.

Not only did I buy the song, but the whole album. Back t Bedlam was the only album I've bought in 10 years. That's how much I love the CD. Not one bad song and I play it to NO end.

[Benjamindaines]

just a shame that his stuff is really hard to find over here. i'd import from the US, but it's the cost of the DVD plus £17 if i get stung on import tax :(
He is on UK iTunes Music Store.

[hob]

I dislike James Blunt, or at least his music - I've never met the fella.

And it's not like I'm dismissive of his entire genre like iGav, I really quite like a bit of moany man-solo, like Damien Rice and even a few bits of Jack Johnston... If you could extend the genre that far, then I would also include Badly Drawn Boy!

But ARGH! Isn't You're Beautiful the most annoying song ever?! I can't listen to it anymore!

Maybe it just got played too much, but that was enough to turn me off his music...

[Applespider]

Maybe it just got played too much, but that was enough to turn me off his music...

I think it was definitely played too much. I 'discovered' James Blunt after Hight was given away as one of the freebie iTunes singles in October 04 and bought the album shortly afterwards. I've seen him twice live - once at the Apple store where he played a more or less acoustic set and was excellent. But 'You're Beautiful' isn't the best song on the album and even I skip it now when it pops up on the iPod.

I know everyone has different tastes in music but I don't quite understand why Blunt has become an anathema to so many people who consider themselves 'serious' music fans. He writes his own songs and can play his own music; that has to put him a rung above most of the crap in the charts these days. My sister's boyfriend and I had a discussion about this over Christmas. He was telling me that Tom Vek was far better and that he has to leave the room when Blunt comes on TV. I've seen both live and have to confess to walking out of the concert 3 songs into Tom Vek's performance since to my ears it sounded like 3 notes being played and him singing off-key. But then again, he's critically acclaimed... but not publically.

[Lacero]

I get chills listening to Tears and Rain.


Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=37117 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

[riciad]

Since the younger generation exerts total control over the CD player in my car, I'm just glad to have Back to Bedlam playing as a momentary relief from other stuff I can't really relate to.

[Dagless]

Anyone see the Dead Ringers version of Beautiful? :D tis amazing

[iGav]

And it's not like I'm dismissive of his entire genre like iGav

Thanks for that... :eek: :p though I'm actually not dismissive of the entire genre at all. ;)

Hence my reference to Pete Yorn (who can actually hold a tune, as well as sing in one). ;)

That said, I don't necessarily think that every artist has to have a great voice (indeed most of the artists I like could hardly be described as great singers), I love the on the edge of fracturing fragility of Chan Marshalls voice for example. :)

But ARGH! Isn't You're Beautiful the most annoying song ever?! I can't listen to it anymore!

Nope... that's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' ;) :p

But the chorus is quite possibly one of the worst written, and the way it's performed certainly doesn't help it.

But, I'm still at a loss as to how James Blunt is so popular, when the likes of Pete Yorn go essentially unnoticed... songs likes 'Lose You', 'On Your Side', 'Pass Me By' and 'All At Once' are on another level entirely when it comes to songwriting. Completely baffles me. It really does.

[Applespider]

But, I'm still at a loss as to how James Blunt is so popular, when the likes of Pete Yorn go essentially unnoticed...

Clever marketing coupled with a good back-story even if some of it is oh-so-slightly embellished. ;)

However, I will add Pete Yorn to my list of artists to check out in 2006 since I'm ashamed to say I've never heard of him.

[crdean1]

I have Pete Yorn and James Blunt, and James is better by far. I had listened to excerpts of James for a while, because I wasn't sure about him, but he is diversified, and he has grown on me. Every song doesn't sound the same. Unfortunately with Pete Yorn, his latest didn't even make it to my iPod. He is boring, in my opinion.

[Qoxiivi]

Every time I click on the music forum I see 'James Blunt'. And the irony is, all this post is doing is pushing this thread to the top again. Hey ho.

Personally I think his stuff is merely hovering around the level of benign mediocrity both in lyrical and musical terms.

“But I won’t lose no sleep on that, ‘cause I’ve got a plan. You’re beautiful, you’re beautiful, it’s true”

Yeah, ‘you’re beautiful’. Nice plan James. Let’s hope when his pop career fails he’ll never get a job as a fire marshal.

Employee: James, there’s a fire in reception
James: Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan
Employee: Well, what is it?
James: I like biscuits
Employee: That’s not a plan, that’s an unrelated statement of no useful consequence to our predicament
James: Has anyone seen my keys?

The annoying thing is, there are thousands of 15 year-old girls swooning about how deep and meaningful he is.

[mpw]

...“But I won’t lose no sleep on that, ‘cause I’ve got a plan. You’re beautiful, you’re beautiful, it’s true”...
...James: Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan
Employee: Well, what is it?
James: I like biscuits
Employee: That’s not a plan, that’s an unrelated statement of no useful...
As I've already said I think the album's great and I think a lot of the criticism of his work is because he's successful but that line has always bugged me too.

Every time I hear it I can't help think it should be something like;
"...I'm gonna lose sleep at night, ‘cause I’ve got no plan...”

Of course not having a creative or musical bone in my body should preclude me from any comment but hey, too late.

[Qoxiivi]

As I've already said I think the album's great and I think a lot of the criticism of his work is because he's successful but that line has always bugged me too.

Every time I hear it I can't help think it should be something like;
"...I'm gonna lose sleep at night, ‘cause I’ve got no plan...”

Of course not having a creative or musical bone in my body should preclude me from any comment but hey, too late.

I guess that, being a writer, I am hyper-critical of lyrical sloppiness. There’s no way I’d let a line that loose into any of my poems or songs.

I always tend to judge whether an artist has got anything worthwhile to say by how tight/knowing/intelligent their lyrics are. It’s the difference between someone like (purely for example and pulled out of the air) Oasis and Blur. Oasis’ lyrics (mostly Noel Gallagher) are, although sometimes nice enough, simplistic in the extreme. Damon Albarn however is an wry, insightful and talented social commentator. As well as a creative and artistic genius.

[Boelman]

I listened to this guy and really only like a couple of his songs. He sounds a lot like daniel powter to me.

[Sic]

Employee: James, there’s a fire in reception
James: Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan
Employee: Well, what is it?
James: I like biscuits
Employee: That’s not a plan, that’s an unrelated statement of no useful consequence to our predicament
James: Has anyone seen my keys?

The annoying thing is, there are thousands of year-old girls swooning about how deep and meaningful he is.

hahaha. i know exactly what you mean...it's quite funny how people comment on the depth of his lyrics without even listening to them. almost kicked off a(nother) dispute with my future father in law the other day. we were listening to James Blunt, and he made the comment "he's so deep"...i really had to bite my tongue because he just isnt. he writes middle of the road pop songs for the masses. he's not hurting anyone but he's not exactly great at what he does.

[Blind Buzzard]

I really like the JB album; lyrically he reminds me a lot like the late Nick Drake. Although at times JB’s poppy-ness sound gets a little old.

[Wednesday]

My name for this is "wallpaper music". Coldplay fall into the same category. TV adverts and radio stations seize on a track and then play it to death everywhere so that there's no escape. It just gets really dull hearing the same song/album everywhere you go or every time you turn on TV or the radio, and I just tune out completely because it doesn't interest me. Familiarity breeds contempt ;)

Can't really comment on whether JB is great or not since I've only heard that single (about a zillion times), and I'm not opposed to the whole angsty guy plus guitar thing (anyone heard David Kitt?), but in the UK certainly, Radio 2 have a lot to answer for (Norah Jones, and that Songbird (?) woman whose name I can't remember, to name but two).

[Qoxiivi]

I really like the JB album; lyrically he reminds me a lot like the late Nick Drake. Although at times JB’s poppy-ness sound gets a little old.

Although this is all, by its nature, clearly subjective, I still have to say as factually, certainly and objectively as I can that Nick Drake was far superior in every respect to James Blunt. That includes lyrically. Drake's lyrics are subtle, deft, nuanced and emotive, whereas Blunts are simplistic, trite and hackneyed.

[Qoxiivi]

(Norah Jones, and that Songbird (?) woman whose name I can't remember, to name but two).

Eva Cassidy :)

[Lacero]

Eva Cassidy :)She's dead. :(Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35452 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

[Qoxiivi]

She's dead. :(Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35452 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

I know :(

So are Nick Drake, John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, Shannon Hoon, Matthew Jay, Elliot Smith, Jeff Buckley, Simon Cowell...

[Blind Buzzard]

Drake's lyrics are subtle, deft, nuanced and emotive, whereas Blunts are simplistic, trite and hackneyed.

Sometimes I think that simplistic, trite, and "hackneyed," are all that I am looking for out of an album. That zoned out feeling that comes with such tunes can lend to a source of solitude. (If devoid of the lame-ass pop notes.)

Please do not make the mistake that I was rating JB at a nomenclature of the immortal Nick Drake. Just that I see some similarities, that’s all.

I'm also sure that in the early 70's some reviewer’s may have felt the same of Drake's lyrical work as you do of Blunt's.

[Qoxiivi]

Sometimes I think that simplistic, trite, and "hackneyed," are all that I am looking for out of an album. That zoned out feeling that comes with such tunes can lend to a source of solitude. (If devoid of the lame-ass pop notes.)

I think everyone relate to that to some extent. Every now and then I'll forgo Tom Waits or Pink Floyd for The Bangles or Richard Marx. Just don't tell anyone...

[Applespider]

Sometimes I think that simplistic, trite, and "hackneyed," are all that I am looking for out of an album. That zoned out feeling that comes with such tunes can lend to a source of solitude. (If devoid of the lame-ass pop notes.)

Well put... which is why alongside Mr Blunt in my iTunes library are folks such as Elliott Smith, Nick Drake, Evan Dando, Wilco... just depends what I feel like listening to. Just as sometimes I'll pick up science fiction to read, sometimes classic literature and sometimes junky chicklit.

[PooeySK]

My wife bought the James Blunt album and I have become a fan as well. If you want to find some other suggestions (artists like James Blunt) make sure you head to pandora.com . You enter a song or artist and it generates a playlist of artists/songs with similar "genes". You can listen to it like a radio station. Its really cool for finding similar sounds.

Which is nice, but then if I want to be exposed to utterly different and new artists/songs I fire up the latest CBC Radio 3 podcast.

Between the two I get to listen to music I know I like, and find music I never knew I'd like.

[Daveway]

Hey guys, look who is at #1 on iTunes.:D

[killuminati]

Yea I also really like him. I'm gonna go and see him in April when he comes to Vancouver.

[lavar78]

His cover of "Fall at Your Feet" is offensively bad.

[Benjamindaines]

His cover of "Fall at Your Feet" is offensively bad.
Aren't all covers?

[OutThere]

I don't think it really matters who thinks it's good and bad....right?

I listen to whatever sounds good to me. Blunt sounds good to me....so do most of the other artists mentioned in this thread. So when I want to listen to one of them, I put them on. James Blunt's music is different than the other guys' music, not better or worse....but wouldn't it be really bland if all music was the purported 'ideal' music?

[ITASOR]

Aha, little late to add my comments, but James says "****ing high" in You're Beautiful really funny. It makes me laugh when I hear it, lol. I normally hate songs with bad words, but the way he says it it's just....funny...

[zap2]

Aha, little late to add my comments, but James says "****ing high" in You're Beautiful really funny. It makes me laugh when I hear it, lol. I normally hate songs with bad words, but the way he says it it's just....funny...


i know, he makes it good(can the F-word be 'good')

i like the sound

[Daveway]

i know, he makes it good(can the F-word be 'good')

i like the sound

I think it adds a certain life to the song. The word is completely unexpected given the tone of the whole song. Love it.

[killuminati]

Aha, little late to add my comments, but James says "****ing high" in You're Beautiful really funny. It makes me laugh when I hear it, lol. I normally hate songs with bad words, but the way he says it it's just....funny...

I love that. That's by far my favourite part of the cd because it is so unexpected. My friend's mother bought the cd and was playing it at a dinner party and then all of sudden he says that. It was priceless :D

[lavar78]

Aren't all covers?
No. To name just one, "Respect" by Aretha Franklin is excellent.

[travisduff]

Hello, I just wanna say that, the video clip of Jame Blunt call "High" it has been recorded in Tenerife (Canary Island, Spain, Europe). someone who has been here know that we've got the highest mountain in spain, call Teide. so if you see one of the last sequence of the video clip you can see the Teide.:) :) :) . I´m living in Tenerife and its so cool, I recommend it you to come here, you will be fun...

[Tel]

I recommend it you to come here, you will be fun...
Sounds like you have something in store for us? :D :p

[travisduff]

Hahaha not absolutely. but I think its a good place to invite people to come, even its a holaday place and is a famous place for european citizens as well. yours

[jbembe]

make sure you head to pandora.com . You enter a song or artist and it generates a playlist of artists/songs with similar "genes". You can listen to it like a radio station. Its really cool for finding similar sounds.


That is a seriously cool website. Thanks for the note.


As for Blunt, my opinion is why does anyone want to hear from some stalker who falls in love with some random chick walking past him at a gas station?:rolleyes: Certaintly not something that will be remembered long.

[musicfan]

I just found that AceShowbiz has chosen James Blunt as its Artist of the Week.

Here is the page : "Artist of the Week (http://www.aceshowbiz.com/music/artist/2006_8.html)"

and James Blunt page (http://www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/james_blunt/)

Any comment ?

[paris!]

ohhh lovely james!! he has this talent that tuches people in he's songs,
he's great! i love him, viset the site: www.jamesblunt.com :)
enjoy!

[Spacemoth]

I feel it's time to stick my head above the parapet and throw the cat amongst the pigeons in an attempt to stir up this pot of unanimous gushing praise for someone with such negligible musical pedigree and speak my mind on this most emotive and potentially divisive of hot issues...

To be frank, I find James Blunt's brand of clichéd sentimental slush quite nauseating - and, as mentioned elsewhere - it's always a mystery as to who exactly buys his records in such vast quantities - along with the equally turgid, inspid and musically-unchallenging likes of Coldplay, Keane, Travis, et al. This is safe plod rock music really. It's just so bland and uninspiring. There is good/worthy singer/songwriter stuff and there is bad/trite singer/songwriter stuff. The former could be applied to the more challenging and less artistically compromised artists such as Suzanne Vega / Billy Bragg / Michelle Shocked / Elliott Smith to name but a few, whilst the latter can be applied to the current likes of James Blunt.....johnny come latelys who seem to have appeared out of nowhere (well, from the Glastonbury acoustic tent actually one muddy June Saturday afternoon) and decided that an acoustic guitar and a batch of cheesy simpering love songs would be the passport to ultimate David Gray-like fame and fortune and mass adulation. And yet, tellingly, he's pulled it off by doing just this....tapping into that very same musical niche and playing safe.

What annoys me most about this guy is not so much the music - funnily enough that takes second place as it's all very easy and pleasant on the ears without making me want to brick someone's windscreen - but his voice and the way in which he sings. Vocally, this guy is a one trick pony - listen to him singing, no, make that [i[emoting[/i]. He bleats and yodels each and every syllable as if his whole poor little boy lost loverlorn life depended on it. He makes Tracy Chapman (who actually adopts a similar kind of singing technique if you listen to her carefully) sound as earnest as a grunter from a Satanist death metal band by comparison. Listen again to the way he sings the verses on "High" - for example the line: "do you remember" - each and every one of those five syllables is actually yodelled!! How excruciatingly contrived is that?

For that one reason alone I am deeply suspicious of him as an "artist". With any luck he will be a "here today gone tomorrow" kind of phenomenon.... But nevertheless the one good thing to have come out of this is the fact that his name has now entered into the modern English dialect as a brand new term of rhyming slang..... "Stop being such a James Blunt you!" Indeed! :)

[D0ct0rteeth]

Thats who sings that damn "You're Beautiful" Song that is everywhere!

(waits two days)

I just listened to his album for the past two days, and he's damn catchy. Pretty good despite all the critics poopin all over him here on the board - but I don't mind his voice - it actually sounds just like Ellis Paul (My niggah from Boston!)

"Tears and Rain" and "No Bravery" are better than anything on the new John Mayer album. Worth a listen..

2 Kudos!!

- Doc

[cgratti]

As for Blunt, my opinion is why does anyone want to hear from some stalker who falls in love with some random chick walking past him at a gas station?:rolleyes:


I think he saw her on the subway..... :D

And the song "Goodbye My Lover" is much better IMO....

[Nutter]

I wholeheartedly second what Spacemoth said so eloquently above. His music belongs in the same place as Katie Melhua's (http://www.myspace.com/katiemelua): lifts and urinals.

[paris!]

I think he saw her on the subway..... :D

And the song "Goodbye My Lover" is much better IMO....
OKAY! he writes this song about him, he finishes with he's girlfriend, and he see's her on the 'subway' and she was with an other man.
dont ask me what he's plan was though?:confused:
maybe to write the song......
god i love that song!!
:D :D :D :D :)

:) god bless him!

[calculus]

I wholeheartedly second what Spacemoth said so eloquently above. His music belongs in the same place as Katie Melhua's (http://www.myspace.com/katiemelua): lifts and urinals.
Yes!

[cnb]

I am totally overwhelmed by James Blunt and his music. If you've seen him perform, I think it's his innocense and sincerity that really captures me...it sucks you in. From the first time I saw him or heard him, which was on a tv program "Saturday Night Live", he won me completely over. I can't seem to get enough.

[greg2]

What's the best meal you've ever eaten?

"I'm actually writing a book about the best buffalo and chicken wings in the world. I can't tell you the first as that would give away what's in the book, but I will tell you the third best. The third best are definitely in a place called Vest in Tokyo, Japan. They are really good chicken wings!"

What's your favourite restaurant?

"When I was recording All The Lost Souls in Los Angeles I was there for four months. I'd spend the day in the studio and then go up the hill to this place called In-N-Out Burger. It's a chain in LA and is really good."

Name the best thing you cook?

"I can't cook at all. I have never been able to, so can't even name one dish I can do!"

[laties]

Karaoke with James Blunt here (http://www.post2share.com/lyrics/jamesblunt/index.html) :D

[lengie]

Hi fans you can get lyrics song of James Blunt as follow:

James Blunt Lyrics Song (http://www.musiccosmo.com/artist/22602-James%20Blunt/J/)

James Blunt Albums (http://www.winglyrics.com)

For you update James Blunt :)