By Delia Paunescu

James Blunt is already a big name. Having gained international success with his first single “You’re Beautiful,” the British star returns to the music scene with his latest album, “All the Lost Souls.” Fans will be happy to know the second time around, his style hasn’t changed and the high ethereal vocals continue to tell stories of broken spirits longing for what once was, much like they did in 2005’s “Back to Bedlam.”

And while this sophomore release seems so quintessential to Blunt, somehow, the new record appears to be missing something. On his first album, fans loved the mixture of forlorn ballads with more eclectic tracks about Doors front man and rock ‘n’ roll idol Jim Morrison or Blunt’s general insanity (the crowned monkey found on Blunt’s Web site stands as a representation of just this socially acceptable lack of sanity). These tracks were playful and a great contrast to the melancholy found in “High,” “Goodbye My Lover” and yes, even “You’re Beautiful.”

This time around, “All the Lost Souls” tries very much to match the formula that proved so successful the first time. “Give Me Some Love” can be matched to the debut album’s “Out of My Mind” but even though the new track contains the subtle drug references Blunt (whose real name is Blount) has come be known for, somehow, the conviction with which he tells audiences “Why don’t you give me some love / I’ve taken a shit load of drugs” comes off less earnest.

The first album found an outpouring of sadness as a result of service in the Royal Army and a broken heart. One dares to question if, on this album, Blunt isn’t himself the “lost soul” to which the title so all-encompassingly refers. In each track, Blunt reveals a little of piece of his personal misery and perhaps, his disillusionment with the music industry.

Though he continues to be a throwback to the ’70s and his musical abilities and subject matter are still earnest (no one bares soul quite as well as Blunt), it might be suggested that for the next album, Blunt should take time off and rely on his own musical opinions rather than listening to the executives. Perhaps then, he’d be happier and the disillusionment found in the pursuit of fame which all of the tracks allude to would be less present. It’s understandable that Blunt is rebelling in the only way he knows how, all listeners should ask is that he not let his chagrin with the industry dictate quite every track on a much-anticipated release.

English crooner James Blunt releases sophomore album “All the Lost Souls.” (fcmonline.co.uk)

3 1/2