Loh Chuan Junn
The chart-topping singer is now back, bigger than ever, to stir up some “trouble” in the music scene.
2 years after James Blunt told Uncut Magazine he would shut up and quit the music business if someone paid him enough to do it, he’s released Some Kind Of Trouble.
For fans, “trouble”, is what this new outing spells, as you’d be disappointed if you’re expecting to hear another bunch of self-penned emotional ballads by the 34-year-old.
Not that the singer-songwriter has stopped producing most of his own materials, as he did for his previous 2 albums. It’s more that contrary to his earlier work, the Ibiza-based artiste no longer croons self-pitying stories about himself. Instead, Some Kind Of Trouble is filled with feel-good anthems, the best of which must be “I’ll Be Your Man”.
The cheery track, which features a catchy bridge and an upbeat acoustic intro, is an addictive song that gets into the listener’s head after just the first listen.
Blunt expresses his love for his girl by asking her to “slide over here” from the “ends of the sofa” as “there’s no better method to communicate,” before confidently declaring that he’ll be her man.
Such a stark difference to “You’re Beautiful”, where Blunt lamented about how he didn’t “know what to do, cause I’d never be with you”.
In case you still didn’t know, the British army officer turned singer’s overnight and stratospheric rise to fame was fuelled by a handful of excessively garish and sentimental songs like the widely parodied “You’re Beautiful” and “Goodbye My Lover”.
James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful” Parody:
https://youtu.be/R0UT2MpdWnc
What caused the 180-degree change in attitude? According to The Herald Sun, Blunt revealed that he had suffered a bout of writer’s block during production for the record, he then left things aside for a while and “went clubbing for a few months”.
Partying obviously worked for him, going by the restorative effect it had on his newfound brimming optimism in the album’s tracks.
But then, one can’t help but wonder if his spirits were lifted by a smooth sailing relationship with alleged Spanish girlfriend Sabina Vidal. Only the man has the answer.
Some tracks on the album, however, retain Blunt’s image as a melancholic musician.
Tracks like “Calling Out Your Name”, and “If Time is All I Have”, which are default Blunt-like songs that talk about lost relationship and love, are carefully interspersed alongside other jaunty tunes.
The soft, mid-tempo, slower songs, might perhaps provide some solace to longtime fans, but it certainty didn’t bring comfort to Urbanwire, as it indicated his half-hearted transition to a new style – a major wet blanket just as you’re beginning to enjoy immersing yourself in the euphoria of earlier tracks.
One thing is for sure though, fans though somewhat confused will likely be spellbound enough to contribute to some sales.
According to the UK Singles Chart, the album’s first single “Stay The Night”, reached number 37 in the “UK Top 100”, within the first week of its release on October 25.
As a whole, the album has more energy and excitement. And while,there’re no dance tunes in Some Kind Of Trouble like in previous albums, Blunt’s uncanny ability to sing in a story-telling style, coupled with beautiful acoustic strumming of the guitar, more than makes up for the lack of varying genre of tunes in the album.
Yes, James Blunt. You’re beautiful, it’s true.
Artiste: James Blunt
Album: Some Kind of Trouble
Rating: ✭★✭✩✩
Language: English
Genre: Pop Rock
Record Label: Custard Records
Release Date: 8 November 2010
Tracklist:
- Stay The Night
- Dangerous
- Best Laid Plans
- So Far Gone
- No Tears
- Superstar
- These Are The Words
- Calling Out Your Name
- Heart of Gold
- I’ll Be Your Man
- If Time Is All I Have
- Turn Me On