Playing house in the ruins of us
Filed Under Music on October 4, 2008 • Comments

“When I can’t find the words, you teach my heart to speak”

You make it real, James..

You make it real, James..

Although it makes for a sombre subject line, its one of the many eloquent song lyrics that are contained in James Morrison’s 2nd album Songs For You, Truth For Me.

I think that after only a week, I can say that I love this album more than his first Undiscovered. Which is saying a lot, because I couldn’t (can’t) get enough of songs on that album. This time around, James seems to have found a new inspiration – 50’s-60’s soul. He had elements of this with his debut single ‘You Give Me Something” with the trumpets throughout but for the most part, the rest of the tracks were pop/folk inspired songs.

I won’t go through eachof the songs, because that would be just spoiling it, and this is just purely my opinion – I can just say that I highly recommend that if you haven’t been introduced to James Morrison yet – you listen to his first single here, called “You Make It Real”.

It feels like a more passionate, expressive “You Give Me Something” where James passionately expresses that he’s running to his love, that her love saved him, and it makes him feel complete. Its a beautiful, melodic building love song – the type of song that would be the ideal stereo-on-shoulder type serenade. (hint, hint guys)

Contrasting that, there is the utterly haunting, aching “If You Don’t Wanna Love Me” where James realises that his lover is drifting away, that he does not consume her heart the way that her love consumes his. Its a gorgeous bluesy guitar laden melody, where it builds to a sexy, raspier James plaintively crying out “I’m gonna stay, there’s no space in my heart where I don’t wanna love you”

In my opinion, these are the two stand out songs on the album – yet I’m playing each more than once, and not skiping any. These are playing loud, and crisp on my mp3 player as I stare out at suburban Melbourne whilst I train it to work on a weekday morning.

The album also features a sweet, mid-tempo duet featuring Nelly Furtado called “Broken Strings” , part of which the lyrics I posted in the subject line. Its a song where the two lovers describe that there are broken strings, and there isn’t enough love to care to repair them. They sing that they love each other a little less, and there is no use pretending anymore, that they are merely “Playing house in the ruins of us..”.

This album features also a few more faster songs, still in the 60’s style, and rousing and joyful – but I’ll leave it with you to sample. I’m sure I’ve said enough at this point..!

I can’t speak highly enough of this album, and it makes a single girl wish for a guy as expressive as James.. I mean, John Mayer sings just as eloquently, but I can do without his facial expressions whilst singing them, thank you very much..

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