James Blunt's new album

(Album art courtesy of Atlantic Records)

I'm no fan of James as well documented here.

So it came to my surprise as I find in a brown Manila envelope on my doorstep from Atlantic Records a promo copy of his next album to be released "sometime in the late second quarter of 2006". I would have thought they would ride it out for at least another year before he would release another LP.

But here goes.

Return to Chaos, a cleverly named follow-up to his mega-selling Back to Bedlam, takes a bit of a turn for the better here. With producer Jim O'Rourke (he of Sonic Youth and Wilco fame) helming the knobs and buttons, I'm ashamed to admit we have an artist that straddles the distinction between independent credibility and mainstream accessibility. Though there's nothing immediately mind-numbing/catchy as "You're Beautiful", peeling away the multitude of layers of Blunt's sophmore effort should be half the fun.

It's true, I'm eating my words because the opening track The Dreams of my Soul kicks it into high gear with equal parts sap, but a truthiness that belies Blunt's forlorn demeanor. "I've found what I've been looking for / from the black and whites of my soul /it's broken and bloody, but the dreams since you've come / they've again made me whole", Blunt croons in his patented low/high octavian holler.

It's brilliant. There, I've said it.

Hemingway's Capote, a sparse classical acoustic track with a well-placed hint of alto-sax, crosses into the best elements of Christopher Cross and Michael McDonald territory without entering into the 80's cheese-pop that later tarnished their careers. Delving into the manic lives of both authors in a 5 minute sprawl, the song marks Blunts' stamp on modern day pop music.

Much of the album deals with Blunt's conviction of the terror's he has seen and the tormented sorrows he has yet to face.

Perhaps the best example of Blunt's growth is the separation of the album into two parts (side a and b). Although the distinction on CD is obviously not there, it's meant to be listened as though it were on vinyl, hearkening back to the turntable days where the rustic scratches augmented the music environment.

I just wish the hidden track would have stayed - as the title would suggest - hidden. No matter, as it is a one-minute spoken word song 'sung' to an oddly paired (but attractive) trio of harp, mandolin and accordion about a group of orphans Blunt had come across during his UN sponsored trips to save South Africa. It is magnificently affecting.

Jim O'Rourke has clearly honed Blunt's innate songwriting skills while reigning in some of the squeaky tupperware clean production of his previous effort. Return to Chaos comes across equal parts charming, soul delving and mind blowing.

Just don't forget to check the fine print.