James Morrison - 'Get To You'
Post categories: Reviews
| 08:58 UK time, Sunday, 15 November 2009
I've always had James Morrison pegged as a slightly better version of James Blunt, but nonetheless, still the creator of the sort of music a guy plays to a girl when he's trying to seduce her, or that a girl plays when she's broken up with a/the aformentioned boy. In other words soppy music, for soppy people. (I pray that my aunty never reads this)
But now he's got a new song out, and I've been asked to review it. Will it prove me wrong on the above sweeping statement?
Errr... no. No it will not.
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Now, my experiences of James Morrison are pretty limited. First, there's my boss who turns up 'Broken Strings' EVERY TIME it comes on the radio (and if you listen to radio, you'll know that's a lot). Then there's the time my friend said how, out of all the voices in the world, he'd most like to have James Morrison's.
The reason the first thing bothered me was not because I didn't quite like Broken Strings (it was alright, y'know?), but because I sat RIGHT next to the radio (my ears! My beautiful, slightly lobey ears!). The reason the second thing bothered me however, was because I nearly choked laughing so much. But now, listening to 'Get to You', it seems I may have to *slightly* take back that laughter...
At the time, I told my friend I'd WAY rather have someone like Matt Bellamy or Jeff Buckley's voice, but he made the fair point the low tone might not really go with my blonde locks. This is probably true. But now, as I listen to the song I realise Mr Morrison DOES have a really great voice, and perhaps in the past I have overlooked this somewhat. I was too busy sweeping my judgements.
HOWEVER, him having a good voice does not excuse the fact that what he does with it is incredibly unimaginative. Look at N Dubz, not the most talented bunch, but what they lack for in talent they more than make up for with charisma and charm. I am not suggesting J-Mo should do a version of 'I Need You' when he's next in the Live Lounge (after all, his na-na-naiiis would probably be more like na-na-cryyyy), but perhaps he should consider doing something a little different to a rehashed, watered down version of 'You Give Me Something'? You know, just an idea.
Look, I'm sure a lot of people will like this song and even go and buy it, but these people are probably people who are James Morrison fans. I am not of those, and this song, if anything, has made me more certain on that than I have ever been. Thanks James, but no thanks. There are far better singer songwriters out there and on that note, does anyone have a copy of 'You're Beautiful', I could borrow?
JOKE.
Download: Out now
CD Released: November 16th
Â鶹Éç Music page
(Vicki Lutas)
Comment number 1.
At 15th Nov 2009, Rob wrote:A few weeks ago Calvin Harris railed against 'rich kids' in the media who'd rubbished his new album.
Are you another?
James Morrison may be a bit too working class made good, while James Blunt is a former British Army officer, but I actually think they both make good music.
I've also been watching N-Dubz performances in the live lounge and to insult the as lacking 'in talent' just seems plain offensive to me.
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Comment number 2.
At 15th Nov 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:Rob, the N-Dubz comparison came from a conversation I had with Vicki in which we were talking about how they are so over-blessed with charisma that their talents are almost obscured.
That band are stars, and the fact they can perform as well as they can is almost (and I mean ALMOST) a happy bonus. It's not meant to be a criticism, charisma is the single most important weapon in a pop star's arsenal.
As for the 'rich kids' thing...it's too easy to throw inverted snobbery around like that means your taste is better than anyone else's. It's just as bad as rushing to call people who like pop music 'chavs' just because your favourite indie band aren't at No.1 in the charts.
No-one has the right to do that. Not even Calvin Harris.
Lots of love
Fraser
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Comment number 3.
At 15th Nov 2009, harrythedog10 wrote:One star seems a bit harsh, yeah it sounds like a million other songs but it's not one of the worst songs of the year. Two stars for me, disappointing though after some decent singles from his last album
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Comment number 4.
At 16th Nov 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:na-na-cryyyy haha Vicki, brilliant.
Congrats to Rob for the silliest post I've seen in a long time.
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