Like much pop music, that of James Blunt isn't nearly as bad as his detractors claim, nor is it as great as his fans rabidly preach. His second album falls into a pattern we often see when people get rich and famous quickly: most of the songs are about fame, drugs and loneliness.
It would be easier to sympathize with him if he didn't write unintentionally hilarious choruses like "Why don't you give me some love? / I've taken ship-loads of drugs," or "But the walls come tumbling down, down / Will you go down on me?"
Still, the songs are ridiculously catchy, albeit predictable and overly comfortable in that 70s folk rock vibe he loves so much. Compared to much of his competition, this ain't half bad, but he could seriously use a wider palette of influences than Don McLean. You keep expecting him to break into American Pie.
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[ 2007-09-13 ] DEBBIE HARRY
[ 2007-09-13 ] Kevin Drew
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