James Blunt

Yes, I'm a James Blunt fan. I got captured with one of the first NZ singles 'Wisemen' (it was the lines "You pernicketty little bastards/In your fancy dress" that got me - anyone that can use "pernicketty" in a song and have it fit is okay by me!). Unfortunately, not all the songs on the album were as good as 'Wisemen', although 'So Long, Jimmy' was a goodie. I've just got his second album, All the Lost Souls, and have decided that in his case, the second album jinx is not working. It's superb.

The thing I like about his music is the lyrics - they are almost always thought-provoking, and set to really memorable tunes. He's released just one song off the new album so far (the very catchy '1973'), but in my humble opinion that's not actually the best track on the album. That title would go to 'I Can't Hear the Music' or 'Carry You Home' - or perhaps 'Annie', or 'One of the Brightest Stars'. I can't actually choose this time. The songs explore some really interesting themes - 'One of the Brightest Stars' is about the fame that comes with success, and the fact that everyone tries to have a piece of you, as is 'I Can't Hear the Music'.

This album has been on almost continuous play for the last month, and I'm not sick of it. Every time I listen to it there's something else that catches me. Go have a listen!

Pachyderm