 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Back to Bedlam
- By James Blunt
- Genre: Alternative Rock
Common Sense Media says
Emotional ballads with a few four-letter words.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there are a couple of four-letter words and a few references to being high. Otherwise, there's not much to worry about.
What's the story?
His falsetto warble sounds a little odd, and he's all-ballad, all-the-time, but there's something magical and intriguing about James Blunt's debut CD, BACK TO BEDLAM. A former British soldier who traded in his gun for a guitar, Blunt has been storming the English pop charts, and is now gunning for popularity in the U.S. as well. He takes a poetic but strong anti-war stance on songs like "No Bravery" ("There are children standing here/Arms outstretched into the sky/Tears drying on their face/He has been here/Brothers lie in shallow graves/Fathers lost without a trace/A nation blind to their disgrace/Since he's been here"), inspired by his time stationed in Kosovo and Bosnia.
Is it any good?
These are songs that kind of sneak under your skin, and get you when you're not looking. Mostly about the angst of imperfect love, they showcase the artist's unusual voice with spare arrangements heavy on acoustic guitar. The production and vocals are so sincere and sweet that it's positively jarring to hear an occasional four-letter word in the lyrics. Still, teens and adults will have fun losing themselves in James Blunt's visual and evocative lyrics.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the artist's interesting career path, from soldier to pop singer.
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AGE
Fantastic Album for Teens and Adults
While this dark album does have some sexual references and a few naughty words, most of the adult content would go over kids heads. One song does discuss, in detail, some of the horrors of war (Blunt fought in Kosovo in 1999) This album probably won't even attract young children, but if you are looking for a fantastic, deep album with all sorts of messages, this is what you need to buy. Most of the sexual references are in the song Goodbye My Lover, which talks about the memories of a past relationship, and High can be taken as a song about drugs. But most of it should be up to the parent.
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AGE
this cd is beaiful
your beautiful/ you beautiful/ you beautiful its true/
this cd rocks but has the word f--k in your beautiful
i saw your face in a crowded place/
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AGE
Good Sound not ok for my age
James Blunt has a beautiful voice. But for some reason he just HAS to ruin his songs with a swear word!!!! I don't get it!!! But, if you're 13 and up, it's a great CD for you.
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AGE
Not That Good, Mellow & Soft
This CD isn't really that explicit but it is REALLY depressing. There are a few bad words here and there (at least 1 "S" word and 1 "F" word) but the main thing is the message. In "No Bravery", it talks about how "he" has been here. And "he" kills and damages people. It has lyrics like "Houses burned beyond repair, the smell of death is in the air, a woman weeping in despair, he has been here!". That's the worst thing about the CD.
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AGE
Awesome CD
I really enjoy this cd. Yeah there are a few lyrics that dont need to be in there, but overall its a great cd. I love his song High. Hes not talking about being high on drugs, hes talking about Love. This is an awesome cd. I suggest anyone buy it.
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AGE
Superlative, Moody Album
If you're a fan of acoustic-inspired rock with poetic influences, I strongly recommend picking up Back to Bedlam.
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AGE
Very Beautiful indeed, except for 1 thing...l!!
I looked forward to getting this CD since i first heard "your Beautiful" on the radio. I got it and was enjoying it but was shocked when i heard"....she could it in my face that i was f-----g high..." Thats was the only disappointment...such a beautiful song and he had to go mess it up with such a nasty, ugly word :(
All the other songs on it are great. I especially find it touching that he has changed his view on war. Thumbs up James!
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AGE
Okay
Okay this would've have been the perfect CD. I got this CD yesterday for my birthday and I was listening to "You're Beautiful" and then i heard, "F-----g high" When in the radio edit it is "flying high" It would have been a lot better without the swears. James Blunt, why did you ruin a perfect song?
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AGE
idk...
umm, idk, its a very odd album, actually my mom bought it and b/c of her ignorance she didnt really understand some of the songs that were talking about him getting high! until my brother told her. idk, its a good album, but hes not a very good influence, seriously he gets high and hes always spotted partying w/ playmates!
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| Artist: | James Blunt |
| Release date: | October 4, 2005 |
| Label: | Atlantic |
| Genre: | Alternative Rock |
| Parental advisory: | Yes |
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