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Product Description
Review
Released three years to the day after his previous LP, the chart-topping (in Ireland, at least) Songs for You, Truths for Me, The Awakening returns James Morrison to the business of bothering the middle-of-the-road with his Rod Stewart-meets-Ben Ottewell tones. There are countless worse noises in pop - but there's nothing in his voice, fine though it is, that conveys the emotional weight he should perhaps be carrying after such childhood hardship (school-days loneliness, and he nearly died as an infant). It's a television talent show beast, a chimera of sorts, halfway between the soul singers he loved growing up and the grit of an indie frontman. It just exists, peculiarly passionless, when it should grab hold of the listener and demand that they pay it their utmost attention.
But, again, it's not an off-putting sound - and there are moments on The Awakening where its audience does indeed sit up and take notice. One such number is Up: remarkable not for Morrison's measured performance, but that of guest vocalist Jessie J. The BBC Sound of 2011 poll-topper has never sounded as good as she does here, delivering a remarkably understated turn that's miles away from the horrible hyperactivity of her own album. Their lines entwine excellently, and there's a warmth to the song rare amongst Artist A featuring Artist B offerings. Person I Should Have Been shares compositional DNA with Sting's much-covered/sampled Shape of My Heart, but Morrison never edges too close to pastiche (which would be easy to do, given the track's skeletal form); and the title-track is the slow-rising centrepiece to this record, where a light acoustic introduction gives way to a far-fuller song almost evocative of Stevie Wonder. One Life, which should be a rallying call to embrace the moment, is oddly stillborn on delivery - but it's a rare blip in consistency.
Yet, as The Awakening unwinds, one can't shift the feeling that we should be touched deeper. Morrison's surpassed the likes of James Blunt and Paolo Nutini as a British solo artist able to meld modern pop sensibilities with echoes of his own influences without the collision sounding forced. Compared to those artists, his vocals cut through with a far greater sense of sincerity. But The Awakening is lacking the grandstanding moment it needs to elevate it above reserved recommendation - it's a safe, steady affair, but about as revelatory as a Chris de Burgh best-of. Morrison has a truly great album in him - he's the emotional baggage to craft it, should he let locked-away demons loose - but for the third time in a row, this isn't it.
--Mike Diver
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
got this cd the day it came out but even now after several listens it just wont grow on me. ive got all of his albums in my collection and this is definitely the weak link, theres just nothing that really stands out except for the duet with jessie j. otherwise its just pretty bland throughout. very disappointing.
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have been a James Morrison fan ever since You Give Me Something. I've seen him perform 4 times, from Manchester Academy to V Festival in 2009 so to say i'm a massive fan of his would be a fair statement. As gifted and as talented as he is, this album doesn't do him any justice. The songs are too "samey" and only one or two of them are worthy of being released as a single.
Of course this review is only my opinion as are any of the reviews on this site but i thought i'd share my opinion without wearing my rose-tinted specs!
Of course this review is only my opinion as are any of the reviews on this site but i thought i'd share my opinion without wearing my rose-tinted specs!
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
Disappointing follow up to 2 great albums. A couple of great songs and the rest is mediocre. Not so much awakening as falling to sleeping.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Poor album
Two nice, unoriginal, tracks (3, 4, the rest is pure filler, the sound is average , it' s hard to write more than 20 about this stuff!
Published 14 days ago by Lucazest
James Morrison CD
James Morrison The Awakening CD is brilliant. I saw him in Jersey a couple of years ago and he was excellent. Well worth buying.
Published 15 days ago by Shelagh
James Morrison's The Awakening
Speedy delivery, CD plays like new, love it. Was looking
around in the local supermarkets to buy this CD so the price from Amazon was a great deal
around in the local supermarkets to buy this CD so the price from Amazon was a great deal
Published 1 month ago by Barnsley Lass
very happy
album is awesome. came in very very quick in the post.
safely and well packaged.
overall very satisfing.
will use that service again.
safely and well packaged.
overall very satisfing.
will use that service again.
Published 1 month ago by eva
Good but not great
Having been a fairly recent convert to James Morrison, and playing his first two albums to death, I was eagerly looking forward to this album. Read more
Published 3 months ago by JC
Amazing! Can't stop listening to the album!
Wow! The CD arrived 3 days ago and I can't seem to stop playing it - at work, in the car and on the way home. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Nadia
take the time to let go and really listen
Yes this a different album to previous, but when you take the time to let go and really listen you will appreciate its depth. Read more
Published 3 months ago by bunnington
Brilliant!!
Love this album, can listen to it over and over. I received in good time as I ordered right at the last minute before Christmas. So grateful for the quick delivery.
Published 3 months ago by rosie67704
The Awakening
I am a fan of James Morrison, I have both of his previous albums BUT this album is special.It had me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. W. Jackson
My mum seemed to like it
I got this for mum and she is pleased with it. MP3 download was fast as normal and dowloaded within a few minutes.
Published 4 months ago by Ryan
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