Login for FavoritesJames Morrison - The Awakening
Tweet
Album Details
- Artist: James Morrison
- Album: The Awakening
- Label:
- Year of Release: 2011
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: MusicCritic on 2011-11-18
RecommendFor The UK’s James Morrison, his third release The Awakening is an attempt at something of a personal re-emergence. Following the recent passing of his father, the subject matter revolves largely around that topic. But the record is more than just that, as Morrison try’s to update his image and move from the pop styling of his previous music to a more developed singer/songwriter. The title track is an important first step in the voyage, as it is the first song he has undertaken without the assistance of other writers.
Morrison has chosen a good moment to undertake this goal. He’s popular enough that the production value of The Awakening is far from lacking. String and brass accompaniment is abundant on the record and adds a positive dynamic to many of the album's tracks. And needless to say he has a voice made for radio. Going back to his debut record Undiscovered, Morrison’s voice has been his driving force and that trend holds true now. ‘I Won’t Let You Go’ and ‘Up’ are the two most indicative tracks of this. ‘The Awakening’ also stands out. His first solely penned song, it is less ambitious musically than most of the record, but is a standout nonetheless.
The Awakening is a good first step for Morrison in achieving his goal of becoming a more dynamic and self-sufficient artist. But while it’s clear he still has a way to go, credit should be given to him for taking the first steps in moving forward.
User Reviews and Comments
Log In or Register to Rate Albums
User Rating:
Write your own review
Tell us why this album is great or sucks ass, or correct the reviewer. If you write enough quality reviews you may find yourself on the editorial staff.
Reviews have to be over 100 words, shorter ones are classed as comments.
Tell us why this album is great or sucks ass, or correct the reviewer. If you write enough quality reviews you may find yourself on the editorial staff.
Reviews have to be over 100 words, shorter ones are classed as comments.
Log In or Register to Rate AlbumsReview:
on 2012-03-03 CharlesMartel Said:
I hate James Blunt. He typifies all that is so utterly wrong with mainstream music. If modern music had an Antichrist then James Blunt would be it.
Oh, sorry, this is supposed to be a review of James Morrison's " The Awakening ".
OK, his voice isn't as irritating as James Blunt's but it still has that dollop of faux passion which is as transparent as clingfilm. Morrison had a pretty rotten childhood (or so the agency blurb would have us believe - I am very sceptical of anything like this). And yet for someone who ought to have so many life experiences to sing about, Morrison has come up with an album with is about as free of passion, as free of emotion, as free of anything which would help us identify the real James Morrison through his music as it seems possible to make. This is almost as if this were an album of songs James Morrison had covered, a sort of Michael Buble type figure.
If by now you are thinking that I don't like this album, then you have hit the nail right on the head. Although not as bad as anything (everything?) James Blunt has ever done, " The Awakening" is certainly striving for that spot. If I had to describe the album in one word it would be wet . Morrison has the voice but his material is so dreadfully plain and dull and lifeless that you feel it is almost wasted. There are far too many soppy ballads on this album and not enough feeling. This is a recital rather than anything else. Anyone could sing these songs, but Morrison sings them this time round. Is he presumptuous enough to think that he has made an album of songs people will cover so that he can sit back and rake in the royalties without having to do anything else, or is my cynicism running wild again?
So where does that leave the listener? Well, if you want wallpaper music, then this is another one to add to your collection. But if you want something that is interesting, then leave this well alone. Morrison might want to play the role of indie frontman, but unless he can leave behind this trite and largely uninspiring music, then he is not going to get anywhere. This is music for the unwashed masses as it were - it is almost as if this music could feature in a dystopian story where the authorities of the future pump out music like this to keep the masses under control, in a sort of drugged, sheep-like state. Aldous Huxley's soma, but in a musical format.
Definitely one for the cupboard.
Rating: 1/10
