Blunt’s talents have earned the endorsement of Elton John and led to comparisons with John’s early work, as well as the late Elliott Smith." Track listing No.Įxpanded Edition Bonus Disc – Live In Ireland (U.S.) Combine such candid writing with a voice one interviewer has called “disgustingly gorgeous,” and you have a recipe for musical addiction. Relevant gave a similar review, and compared his work to the likes of Elliott Smith, calling it "endearingly honest" and continued ".like any great writer, he invites the reader, or in this case, the listener, into the intimate details of life that resonate with most anyone. Back to Bedlam seems not so much a pop compilation as it does a reflection of a life through the art of music." Indie London praised the album, and went on to call it ".a masterful debut and one which you mustn't allow to pass you by." Ī said, in a 4 star review that "To aptly describe James Blunt’s music in his debut album Back to Bedlam, it would be an injustice to ignore the backdrop of his past and its relation to his music – in fact it’s impossible to do so" and gave praise to the songs which they called "Hauntingly captivating, his words paint the pictures of many stories lived, masterly recited through his songs. 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." Slant Magazine said, in a three and a half star review, that "Bedlam is an overall raw listening experience" and that though "Blunt's writing often juxtaposes love with death" that it's "More reason for American girls to go gaga over this able British bloke." Īllmusic felt ".the 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. I've listened to it 3 times back to back, just to make sure." I never thought i would say this, but 'Back To Bedlam' has not got one bad track on it. Many have come close, but just missing it. Strangely enough, even with his music being all over the radio here in Australia, I cannot begrudge the fact that Blunt is truly talented and has made himself a damn good debut record." īBC collective said "It's very rare I give an album 5 stars. However, in this case, the music Blunt is making does really deserve and warrant the hype surrounding him. Comes from the UK, serves in the army then makes an album of movingly sincere ballads which make a huge impression on his homeland and Australia, thus allowing him to enjoy phenomenal, chart topping success. RocknWorld stated "It's hard to describe James Blunt or his music without falling prey to many a cliché or hyperbole. Q magazine and Common Sense Media awarded the album four stars out of five. Receptionĭespite no reviews from major critics being published upon release, the album later went on to earn much acclaim. The album was the best-selling album of the decade 2000–2009 in the UK. This included "Tears and Rain", "So Long Jimmy" and "Cry", tracks that had not been released as singles. The named is based on the infamous Psychiatric institution of Bethlem Royal Hospital, commonly known as Bedlam.Įight of the ten songs on the album were licensed for use in television shows, movies, advertising campaigns and trailers, a total of 34 times. Back to Bedlam currently ranks as the 16th best-selling album in UK Chart history. Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back To Black’ becomes UK’s biggest-selling album of the 21st century.
In 2011, it was overtaken by the Amy Winehouse's Back to Black as the biggest-selling album in the UK in the 21st century. It is the best-selling album of the 2000s decade in the UK with 3.2 million sold. Back to Bedlam sold 11 million copies worldwide and was the highest-selling album of 2005 in the UK with almost 2.4 million copies. The album was a major commercial success, topping the albums charts of over ten countries, as well as reaching number two in the United States and three other countries, and was met with much acclaim. The album was released on 11 October 2004 through Atlantic Records.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.īack to Bedlam is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter James Blunt. James Blunt's " Goodbye My Lover" from Back to Bedlam