Album of the Day

James Blunt was a promising British songwriter with a publishing deal when Linda Perry took him under her wing as a performer. With a terrific falsetto and equally strong material, Blunt's BACK TO BEDLAM quickly became one of the best sellers in U.K. pop history. If heartfelt ballads like “Goodbye My Lover” and “You're Beautiful” (which topped the British singles chart on this day in 2005) dominate the proceedings, the singer-songwriter has more than just romance on his mind here; “No Bravery” deals with Blunt's service in Kosovo as a member of the Royal Armed Forces in 1999. A striking debut that sold more than 11 million copies around the world, BACK TO BEDLAM weaves a wistful spell that continues to entrance listeners a decade later.