james blunt back to bedlam expanded edition

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. 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. As of 2017, it has sold 3.33 million copies in the UK and over 11 million copies worldwide.

By December 2009, the album had been certified 10× Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry for sales of over 3 million, making it the best-selling album of the 2000s in the UK. Back to Bedlam was the highest-selling album of 2005 in the UK, with over 2.4 million copies sold. It is named after the infamous psychiatric institution of Bethlem Royal Hospital, which is commonly known as Bedlam. Tracks like the UK smash 'You're Beautiful' and 'Goodbye My Lover' are backhanded anti-love songs that suggest Elvis Costello's lyrical wit, and add a little bite to this otherwise radio-ready set of tunes.Back to Bedlam is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter James Blunt. Blunt shares Smith's knack for pretty mopery and self-destructive tendencies (several songs, most obviously the opening 'High,' tacitly romanticize drug use), as well as Coldplay's talent for decorating simple melodies with effective production tricks. A collection of midtempo ballads based around Blunt's acoustic guitar and piano and his high, reedy voice, BACK TO BEDLAM is tailor made for a generation of sensitive college girls and their frat-boy boyfriends. James Blunt is a former Royal Air Force soldier who saw active combat during the NATO mission in Kosovo, an experience detailed in his debut album's harrowing closer, 'No Bravery.' Judging from the rest of BACK TO BEDLAM, he's also in the market to become either a one-man Coldplay or a more commercially acceptable version of Elliott Smith.

James blunt back to bedlam expanded edition