The Hour Of Bewilderbeast

Oh my god yes yes

4.5

9/10… chamber pop

felt the vibe in the moment. might change by grade later

This was once upon a time one of my very favourite albums. Often on repeat in my teenage bedroom. In fact. Damon was perhaps the first “famous” musician I ever met? I somehow scored tickets to a small live performance at the Cornerhouse in Manchester when I was maybe 16 or 17. My girlfriend of the time was a really big fan too. And I remember being a little star stuck when I went to say hello after the gig. It was maybe even the launch party for this album. Or maybe he was number 1. It’s still a beautiful album. Full of gentle honesty with that beautiful northern lyricism and musicality. It might not be the coolest album to admit to liking but this was very much a part of growing up in Manchester at that moment in time for me.

While I this isn’t my favourite Badly Drawn Boy album it is still brilliant. Been an age since I’ve listened to it but it will be in my regular rotation for a while now

Excellent

Genre classic. No notes.

Honestly surprised by this album. Very simple yet compelling guitar work. The voice works well with the rest of the composition and the musicianship throughout every instrument adds to the overall sound to create a masterpiece of an album.

Great melodies, fab production. Also this album got me through a transitional period in my life and will always be a sentimental favorite. 10/10 would recommend.

A slower burn than I remember, but still really good.

Ce piace

Elliot smith style songwriting with its own unique sonic palate, right up my alley and it was a strike

This album isn’t groundbreaking or genre-defining, but it’s a solid addition to my list of chamber pop albums. It has great vocals, melodies, and instrumentation, with a subtle quirky edge. Overall, it blends classic singer-songwriter elements with modern production in a way that works really well.

Adored it. Felt like a poppy nick drake— every song felt so well thought out and beautifully arranged.

It's a strange mixture of quirky pop psych and slightly melancholic acid folk and it reminds me of bands like Super Fury Animals and Gorkys Zygotic Mynci. It's not at all very mainstream and probably just a bit too odd for most people but it is a very musical album. It's got some arrangement flair, likeable vocals, witty lyrics and all in all, it's quite a charming listen. It's not perfect but the fact that it strives to be a record that isn't the usual rock or rap or punk or hip hop or country has my full admiration.

It's unfortunate that subsequent albums didn't stick to this playbook, but to have had a single album this good, who am I to complain?

BDB’s finest hour. Everything is just so damn lush! I wish more albums took these kinds of stylistic leaps — every song has a unique personality. I applaud the inclusion of all the slighter interlude tracks like “Body Rap” and “Bewilderbeast” because they make the more prominent songs around them even more grand. Boner fuel: “Everybody’s Stalking”, “Once Around the Block”, “Cause a Rockslide”, “Epitaph”

This record is like a warm hug. Damon Gough has an incredible knack for melody, and at times lyrics. It’s experimental, but not annoying (besides Body Rap maybe?). This is carefully constructed weirdness. No two songs sound alike, and most don’t even use the same “instruments.” Lots of obsessively layered noise combine to make something that rewards multiple listens but isn’t excruciating to dig through. I’ve heard this record a thousand times and I was happy to hear it again today. I guess that means it gets a

Classic 90’s Brit pop

Волшебный альбом. Очень мелодичный и совершенно не попсовый для инди-альбома. Со своим стилем, не повторяющим The National и другие подобные коллективы.

Quite Enjoyable! I really liked how everything came together. Excellent instrumentals and good vocal work. Production quality seemed really good as well! 'Another Pearl' was my fave.

Really dug this one cause of the dreamlike sound of it. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at a 4.5 that I’m gonna very easily bump up to a 5. I’ve learned it before, I should learn it again; never judge a late-90s/early 2000s album by its strange, strange cover. Everyone was collectively on one back then. I thought for sure, going into this, it would be some indie rock art album that got a little overrated at the time, aged sort of awkwardly in its avantgarde-ness, met with too much critical acclaim, and only ended up on the list with a bit of bias adjacent to that time period. I feel like it’s happened before. This, however, was just a great album. There’s a really strong variety of styles here, some great production, some good vocals and lyrics throughout, and it just clicked extremely well for me. It wears a lot of inspirations on its sleeve, but it does so without ever sounding like a ripoff or a pastiche; the influence from the 60s & 70s is prevalent in spades here, but it blends it so well with 90s instrumentation that it just sort of morphs into that era. Even past that, though, you can hear the future of late 2000s / early 2010s indie rock here – Cause a Rockslide, even if it becomes a bit directionless and flat around the middle, starts off sounding like a mix of Cage the Elephant & Tame Impala. The entire 63 minutes is full of flavor like this that consistently kept me engaged and on my toes as a listener, and I don’t think there’s ever a dull moment or a part that feels like a repeated track. It’s extremely well done for the time. It certainly helps that there’s a semblance of a front to back narrative throughout the album, but it’s not an extremely clear one to me – that’s not necessarily a negative, because it just means I was really entranced in the general soundscapes to fully invest in the lyrics to that extent of finding winding plots, though it’s not like I wasn’t paying attention. When this album hits on its more emotional tracks though, whether in a happy or sad way, it hits incredibly well. His vocals do a great job of finding the tone of the song and just getting it across, enhanced by some great lyrics on those tracks. When this album wants to go full rock, it nails it too – Disillusion feels like it could’ve fit right into Persona 5 or one of its many spinoffs. Look, I could keep gushing, but I’m just surprised that this album managed to exceed my expectations that much for a guy I’ve never heard of, with an album cover like that, in a time period where it does feel like people were really glazing everything (no offense to Limp Bizkit) to try and make a new star in a sort of stagnant genre. This does feel like an album that should have at least one award under its belt, and I’m glad it does. It’s probably the reason why it’s on this list, and I’m also glad about that too. I thought this was really good, and I have no problems bumping it up to a 5.

One of my favorite albums so far!

4-5 (nochmal anhören)

Holy shit I’d fuck to this

Made me feel things

In 2001 I was playing pool in the Cavendish on west street in Sheffield with a mate when a bunch of scruffy looking lads took the table next to us. On closer inspection it was Badly Drawn boy and the Doves who were playing later on. I was weak at the knees as it loved both albums but was too chicken to talk to them which I regret to this day. This is a beautiful album from start to finish with a warmth, a complexity, a heart and a soft melancholy that makes it timeless. The record gets regular play in my house and today was a good day to listen to the album.

Love it

I feel like we are over-indexing on UK artists, but that's cool. I loved the About A Boy soundtrack and Damon Gough's 2000 album release is as beautifully crafted. Original and smooth melodies layered with guitar, horns, and strings. Would listen again and again.

Never, ever heard this before. Absolutely spectacular! Definitely going into my "best of music" category!

Really enjoyed this. Chill, folksy vibe, but clean sounds.

I don't mind being reintroduced to this album

I love this album! Everytime I listen to it it just brings a smile to my face. The first three songs are nearly perfect. The Shining with its oh so sad cello and French horn; just absolutely gorgeous, than Damon comes in with his simple acoustic guitar strumming and direct vocals...brings shivers. And there's not much let up after those near perfect 12 minutes or so. The entire album is full of hooks and melodies that stick in your head for days. One of my favorite albums of the 2000s 5 stars

Idk what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. I really enjoyed it.

What a fun discovery this one is! Reminds me at times of Sufjan Stevens, Cloud Cult, Eels. Interesting to read the comparisons to Nick Drake and Elliott Smith—I suppose I can hear it, and those other artists I mentioned came after Badly Drawn Boy, but I think this is clearly distinct. Imaginative, interesting arrangements, memorable melodies. “Once Around the Block” is a highlight, but I actually liked everything on this album! So excited to explore Badly Drawn Boy further!

Loved this. A lot of influences are obvious from the differing sounds. 10 years ago, this would’ve been in a regular rotation for me. Might find its way into that category today anyway.

My favorite album of 200 - it still holds up. An underrated classic.

I hadn't heard of Badly Drawn Boy before this record and of all things, the album art here definitely drew me in. In hindsight, it's a lot like the album itself, colorful, with a strange, almost tacky aura that only adds to its enjoyability, charm, and endless stream of creativity. There's a certain punch to the instrumentals that's hard to pinpoint here. This album's unique fusion of folk, baroque, electronic, and country rock works well to showcase Damon Gough's ear for effective genre fusion. "Camping Next Week" is a perfect example of this, with a prominent bassline and bizarrely placed guitar solo layered on top of a boilerplate folk instrumental. I love the imagery here relating the typically refreshing feelings invoked by a cool morning on a camping trip juxtaposed with the feelings of loneliness and a sense of longing. There's something almost unsettling and surreal about the way the instrumentals are layered here. It's difficult to describe but it could have to do with the plethora of string arrangements, bizarre sound effects, and slightly overblown mixes. Just check out the first half of "Stone on the Water" and the strange ambient/noise interlude on "Cause a Rockslide". I also love the synth layer driving the groove on "Once Around the Block". The instrumentation on this album is so diverse that even throughout its hour-plus runtime, it never felt tired nor like it was retreading old ideas. The lusciousness of some of these tracks cannot be understated, like the country-rock-driven "Disillusion" that breaks into a bizarre and sinister grainy piano segment. These sudden switch-ups are scattered throughout this album. Damon's singing style is subtle. While not entirely whispery, it's soft-spoken and is ever so slightly overpowered by some of the harder instrumentation here. Nevertheless, I enjoy the slightly off-kilter delivery and he's able to complement whatever direction the instrumental goes in here. The album's themes primarily deal with loss, grief, and forgiveness, with the feelings of a nostalgia-filled day out in the loose grip of nature. The song "Magic in the Air" is utterly gorgeous in its nostalgic portrayal of a seemingly inseparable emotional bond between two lovers. I can't emphasize enough how well Damon's lyrical imagery on any given track complements the form the instrumental is taking. I'm blown away by how much I enjoyed this album that had gone completely under my radar. Not many negatives on my end relating to this thing and, safe to say, it's been the best first listen on my 1001 journey so far.

amazing album my god a gem. very reminiscent of my fav elliott smith !!! i would buy this on vinyl in a heartbeat great listen 5/5

Great album. Good to listen to it as a whole again. Many of these songs are on my various playlists.

I’ve never listened to Badly Drawn Boy until yesterday, but have listened to this 4 or 5 times since already. Soooo much better than the image I I had in my head and I’m annoyed I didn’t bother earlier. I think because he was a big star during a time when pop was pretty poor, I had written him off. Was expecting something like early Coldplay for some reason, but instead got very intricate, lofi indie, more similar to Beck or Belle and Sebastian than Coldplay. I think this is the album on this list so far that has surprised me the most. Big fan. Love it.

Great hooks and polished melodies topped with surrealistic interludes within songs. This is a really interesting mix. All the songs are pretty strong on the album but Camping on the Water and Bewilderbeast are standouts. It doesn't seem too surprising that I think the strongest songs on the album were singles. Great album.

4.5

I loved it!

What a wonderful, wonderful album. Loved every second of this.

Jaw dropping. Reminds me of Wildflower by the Avalanches. The final track, Epitaph, will charm anyone who listened to MOBO back in 2016. Just a really creative record that is an hour well spent on an introspective mind.

Excellent album

Easy 5/5!! One of my favorite albums of all time! This is just a perfect record!

БЭЙБИ АЙ ЛАВ Ю

So in my feels

I don't understand what the fuck I'm listening to right now, but I like it very-very much.

Очень крутой альбом, давно не слушал такую музыку, очень спокойный

This is fantastic, very Fleet Foxes vibe but kinda even better imo

Absolutely excellent album. Beautiful, melodic, charming and fizzing with originality. One song to the next it’s an adventure. I adore this album. Could not recommend it more highly.

wow this was so good. A lots of types of songs. It was snowing and I was listening to this while driving in bus, great atmosphere!

loved this album when it came out so it was nice to listen to it again and to my surprise it's still very good.

Great album! I loved it, only downside I could think of is that it's a little dragged out? 50 minutes would've been long enough. Great album anyways!

Genuinely amazing. I didn’t like the vocals a ton everywhere, but the absolutely amazing instrumentation pulled it out anyway. I love this album.

This album goes through an impressive variety of styles while still maintaining depth. The instrumental tracks were my favorite. The only songs I did not like were the sappy alternative/singer-songwriter ones. Maybe that style was cool when it was still relatively new.

Like the varied beats. Nice how the instruments cine in and fade out as do the vocals. Nice raw somewhat sometimes out of tune singer. Like to listen to this.

I don’t know how to classify any of this but I loved this album. Good find!

I didn’t know what to expect from this album. I definitely didn’t expect to fall in love with it but here I am looking how to add it to my collection

This one surprised me. It's never boring, and I like it a lot!

This was a surprising album given that I’ve never heard of either the album or the artist before but it was really solid. The shining and camping next to water were standouts. Second half I didn’t enjoy quite as much but giving it a 5 mainly just to remember it

That was actually really beautiful, I really loved that No complaints, just great indie, 10/10

I'm not sure how to explain how much I liked this album. It is kind of weird in a very positive way, feels fresh and original. It has good music and a great flow. If you're into indie music, you'll enjoy it.

A bit disorienting times, but a really great listen. A bit of neutral milk hotel, a bit of nick drake, and a lot of fun!

really pretty album, especially the nature songs.

more like well drawn boy

I am a fan of this one! Favorites: The Shining, Stone on the Water

Gostosinho demais, nuh

Very cool

Great!)

Total nostalgia

Good album, unique songs bring a good vibe and bring back memories

Man, that was nice. What an excellent piece of collected tunes I've literally never heard before. I loved the instrumentation. And consider looking up the contributing artists list if you ever get bored. More folks took part in this album that Band-Aid.

I remember this and the Andy Votel mix of Round the Block! On relistening, it’s awesome. Rich, layered, complex, beautiful. I’ll definitely listen to this again.

Awesome

One of my favourite albums ever. Often derided as indie dirge, but it really does touch me!

Superb stuff

spooky, like REALLY chill trap music

The lead in cello and French horn put me under its spell! I really enjoyed the melodies and will add this to my listening library at least for the short term. Not sure it is a forever-love yet.

British, 00s, Indie rock + Interesting, Still new, Various, Smth alternative, Right folk = Male, Long play - THIS SONG {6/18}

No esperaba ni tantito de este disco: entre el nombre de la banda, la cara del tipo, la portada… Y la sorpresa fue que me empezó a gustar desde los 6 segundos cuando empieza a sonar un corno francés. Se me hace un disco que está muy bien producido y mezclado y lleno de detallitos en los instrumentos que le dan mucha profundidad. Quizá la canción en la que juega como idiota con el balance de lados (This Song) en el estereo podría caer mal, pero incluso dentro de eso siento que tiene un buen detalle, considerando que es 1999. Por otro lado, la canción que es totalmente instrumental (Bewilderbeast) me pareció genial, con sonidos que tienen algo de psicodelia, algo de pop, algo de todo. Para mí, un gran descubrimiento (porque solo conocía una rola que salía en el soundtrack the About A Boy) y lamento que, según lo que leo, esto es lo único decente que llegó a lanzar.

What a great vibe. Top notch album.

Takes me back to the days when I was selling wine in Carringtons. Love this album

Listened TWICE!

Homey vibes. Right up my alley

LOVE this record.

Banger

Once around the block is one of my favorite favorites. Never would’ve guessed the rest of his would be this good

This is the only turn of the century, guy in hat with guitar album that I listen to. That's because it's far more interesting and emotionally deep than shit like David Gray. It's a shame that this album was taken out of subsequent editions of the book. It's a worthwhile listen and I'd rather have this than the fifth Neil Young or Elvis Costello offering.

Well crafted pop. I was quite surprised by this and enjoyed the majority of the tracks

Does this album feel unique or revolutionary in any huge way, like most of the albums on this list? No, not really. But it does feel well executed, understated and like it fits perfectly into its own little niche. I can totally understand how this album would be considered a classic to those who found it at the right time and place. I enjoyed listening to it and may put it on again.

People think this is boring I think it's great it entertaining it's chilled it's acoustic it's loud it's experimental it brilliant

Badly Drawn Boy must have slipped past me in the early 2000s because I don't think I've ever heard any of these songs but I feel like I should have. Anyway, I really enjoyed this! The only thing keeping me from giving a 5 is some of the songs sound alike to me and I couldn't tell the difference between them. Still good, though.

I've always liked them. Very good.

When I read that this artist was compared to Nick Drake and Elliot Smith I thought I was in for another morose melodramatic album. I was so very happily surprised by this. The instrumentation is gorgeous. Sure it’s emo, but it is had and shoulders above those artists in musicality. Absolutely lovely listen. Very strong four stars.

I really, really like it. It's ramshackle and melodic and sad and weird. I met Badly Drawn Boy after this was released. He was cool. It's a shame that he never got close to matching this.

Am I so out of the indie sphere that this sounds novel and interesting? Maybe! To me this was a wonderful listen! The album has such a gentle sound for the most part, and yet the instrumentals are deceivingly intricate and varied, the sort of production you can truly enjoy with some good headphones. I'm a sucker for that. I didn't even notice the length so many complained about, as each time a new song came up I was hooked onto whatever they were doing next. All of it flows beautifully well together. Love it! Standouts: The Shining • Everybody's Stalking • Fall in a River • Camping Next to Water • Another Pearl • Once Around the Block • Pissing In the Wind • Blistered Heart • Disillusion • Epitaph

Melodic, well put together folk

I think if I heard this during more melancholy times then I would enjoy it more. It reminds me of Damien Rice as in it's a good collection of songs to get sad and wistful to.

Totally judged the book by its cover on this one. Album was way better and more calming than I thought it would be

I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. The cover gave me incredibly low expectations and perfectly matches the stereotype of what a 2.57 looks like on this site. But then I listened and I felt like I was in an indie movie. Not bad little dude.

Kende maar 1 nummer, is ontdekking, mooi!

muy tierno, me gustó

A lot of this is good, but “45 Minutes of Bewilderbeast” would have been a better album.

As a big fan of this album, I’m genuinely a little shocked to see it included in the list, not that I’m complaining. This record is a beautiful, chaotic, and dynamic blend of soft pretty folk music, orchestral interludes, and some of the more enjoyable Brit-pop/rock I’ve ever heard. “Epitaph” is a song that I’ve loved for well over half my life now, and the rest of the album still holds up from when it was first shown to me many years ago. 4*

I’d rate this 3.5 if I could. I listened to this a little bit back when it was released. I couldn’t recall any of the songs when this popped up on this list, but then I listened to it and I kept thinking “oh, yeah, this song” again and again. Overall catchy and competent, but not compelling enough for me to seek out for future listens.

Maybe it’s because I listened to it right after Def Leopard. But I liked it.

Could have sworn one of these songs was on the Garden State soundtrack. Kind of a 3.5 for me. I have the same issue here as I do with Bright Eyes and other similar artists, which is they even though I like the sound, I have trouble concentrating on it for extended periods of time, so it makes it less enjoyable as an album. Can’t quite explain it since these guys are probably a lot what I would sound like if I could write songs.

This was a nice surprise

folk indy whimsy

Interessant

Sprawling, overproduced at times, and under-developed at others. However, the songs flow so naturally into each other and when highlights like The Shining, Once Around the Block, Magic in the Air, Pissing in the Wind and Disillusion appear out of the sprawl the payoff is great.

Pretty fun. Reminded me of some of the pop rock I listened in my youth.

This is not what I thought it was and I actually love it

3.5

I absolutely love this album. It's one of those albums to me that just sounds both so familiar yet so unique. It's definitely got a feel of the 70s as well as the feel of the 2000s but I think also doesn't sound like it aged a day. I really want to give this album. My only question is where has this album hiding the past 25 years, and why had I not heard of it till now. (9.6) ★★★★½

Nice indie folk album. 4 stars

I've got this on CD somewhere. It's been a while since I've heard it, but I forgot how cool it is. It's super eclectic, blending pop, rock, and pop, but it also all hangs together in a really seamless way. I think Damon Gough really writes some lovely melodies. Highlights for me are "Everybody's Stalking", "Fall in a River", "Cause a Rockslide", and "Pissing in the Wind", but there's nothing here that isn't really cool. 4.5 stars.

I had never heard this before but kind of liked it

Some cracking tunes and endlessly inventive soundscape, you know any song off it the moment you hear it.

I’ve been aware of Badly Drawn Boy for the longest time, going back to my “staying up later than i’m allowed to watch Conan” days and i’ve always known i’d like them if i dug more and HERE I AM 20+ YEARS LATER TO SAY… Yep. Good record.

I actually really liked this album. I didn't listen to it with Headphones like Colton did. It was a nice chill vibe with variation.

Lowkey a 4. Much chill, very easy listen.

++*: Epitaph ++: The Shining, Everybody's Stalking, Camping Next to Water, Another Pearl, Body Rap, Once Around the Block, Bewilderbeast, Pissing in the Wind, Disillusion +: Stone on the Water, Cause a Rockslide, Blistered Heart, Say It Again +-: Bewilder, Fall in a River, This Song, Magic in the Air 7,7/10

Echoes of Nick Drake and Elliot Smith, with engrossing, evocative songs that benefit from interesting arrangements and instrumentation. It’s a strong debut from a talented guy who sounds like an old soul and a savvy music aficionado.

Ok, this was a legit surprise. I dug it. Right away. Nice.

I’ve known this album for a long time, and have memories attached to it, which colours my perception of this album to a large degree. I think this is a great collection of songs, with opener ‘The Shining’ and ‘Camping Next to Water’ being favourites. At over an hour and with 18 tracks, there is a certain amount of what could be called filler, but that’s all part of the experience as far as I’m concerned.

A lovely indie folk/rock album with orchestral/baroque touches. Comparisons to the likes of Nick Drake and Elliott Smith are apt, but it’s distinctive enough to have its own character. There are some really strong songs here, ‘The Shining’, ‘Another Pearl’ and ‘Once Around the Block’ being my biggest highlights. The quality is a bit inconsistent, however; the brief instrumental interludes felt superfluous, as did the odd track like ‘Fall in a River’, ‘Cause a Landslide’ and, ironically, ‘Bewilderbeast’ itself. The second half was definitely weaker than the first but it’s still just about good enough for 4 stars.

Pop rock indie un peu hippie franchement sympa avec des rythmes variés !

Nice and relaxing.

Really enjoyed this.

Maybe I'll regret this later, but damn it I'm giving it a five. Really eclectic but well put together, indie and folky and somber while still being upbeat and a totally enjoyable listen. Kind of surprised by the hate. Totally a win for me. Elliot Smith with just a little more serotonin. Fave tracks: - The Shining - Everybody's Stalking - Camping Next to Water - Stone on the Water - Once Around the Block - Bewilderbeast - Magic in the Air - Pissing in the Wind - Disillusion - Epitaph Edit: alright, so I'm editing it. Maybe it drags more than I thought. Whatever. Still 4 stars.

Some great songs, but a little too long

Really enjoyed this, only knew a couple of badly drawn boy songs but the whole album was pretty.

I've heard of this artist but never listened. Sometimes I think, what if another artist had done this record? I'm a huge Jeff Tweedy fan, and will give any mid-period Wilco album five stars, but I'm not huge on his solo stuff. There's too much of it and it's sort of...samey. But if Jeff Tweedy came out with this record instead of Badly Drawn Boy, this would be an all-timer for sure. Part of that would be the unexpectedness of it. Maybe this is par for the course for Badly Drawn Boy (but there's some range here, so great range is par for the Badly Drawn Boy course). I don't know, I've never heard another Badly Drawn Boy record. All this is me trying to figure why I'm giving this a four when, if it were Jeff Tweedy I would give it a five. I don't have a satisfactory answer. Maybe I don't like English accents (I'm neutral to English accents). Maybe I'll come back and change this to a five (I won't). Maybe....maybe....maybeeeee

Quite liked this

a surprise in my books. great little album

A pleasant surprise of an album on the list. Super musical, very listenable, lots of points that just land perfectly in the compositions. Well structured and recorded, worthy of adding to a rotation. "Pleasant" would be a perfect one-word descriptor.

Loved this. A bit meandering at times (do we really need so many long piano outros?) but some of that adds to the charm. Great album.

7.5/10

album sounds like nick drake if he didn't kill himself.

Endlich mal ein mir noch nicht gehörtes Album, welches nicht beim ersten Anhören negativ beurteilt wird.

I was so excited when I heard the horns of the first song and then it was just.... british alt music from 1999. I loved the water noises on Fall in a River though. Really immersive (and yes that's a pun). I liked it, I liked the amount of layers. Really takes singer-songwriter into the 21st century. I think I would relisten to it honestly! I had low expectations after the first song, but there are some stand out songs. In between, there is only boring though.

First album in a long time on this list to make me be pleasantly surprised by it. I always love albums that push stuff instrumentally, the start of the album having a euphonium was like a “woah finally I needed this” moment. Reminded me of the good Nick Drake album, Bryter Layter.

Brings back memories… I loved this Album, the melancholy and the quirky little songs between Lo-Fi Songwriting and Brit Pop. Was a pleasure to listen to. Fav: Once around the block

“This Song” almost got it a 3

Having a bit of trouble thinking of what to say about this, and also how to rate it. Short version: I think I'll go with 4 stars. Quality-wise, I wonder if it might have been better if he'd left off a few tracks? Although deciding which ones to leave off would take a few more listens, lol. Anyway, there's definitely a lot of good stuff here. And yet, I have to say, not that many songs that *really* grabbed me? Maybe would grow on me, if I listened a few more times? Once again, curious to know your thoughts!

So soft. Easy listening. I love

Pleasant surprise. I’ve found most of the British indie/Britpop pretty underwhelming so far, but I really liked this.

Call me crazy, but that's modern folk. I like it.

I kind of loved this.

Surprisingly good compared to how I remembered it. Quiet bits are intimate, the lo-fi bits are immersive and there are at least 5 top tier songs which is good going by any stretch. Best: Everybody’s Stalking, Fall in a River, Another Pearl, Once Around the Block, Cause a Rockslide Worst: Pissing in the Wind

Really enjoyed this, I thought there was a bit of a drag in and around the 3/4 mark of the album, however still good gear.

Had literally never heard of this band or album before but I quite enjoyed it. Pretty diverse, got a little weird at times, but overall would re-listen. Didn't even pay attention to the lyrics.

pretty nice!

Dejligt album

Dimery really loves his late 90s/early 00s British indie huh This was pretty great. II agree it's an odd inclusion but I enjoyed it.

Every now and then I'll have an album that I found profoundly boring on first listen but just kept playing because there was a small something I latched onto. This is one of those albums. I liked The Shining right away, but was generally uninterested in the rest of what I heard but I looped back around to hear The Shining again. Next thing I know, I'm three listens in. It's not perfect--too long by far--but maybe a new favorite band now.

A strong first half but it really went off the rails for me after Stone on the Water. I get the Nick Drake and Elliott Smith comparisons for the first part (though in no way does it approach the greatness of either artist), but after that it's just too all over the place. I think it would have been a stronger album if a number of tracks had been left off. Giving it a 4, but barely. 3.8 maybe.

New to me, and thought it was pretty cool. Interesting mix of sounds and instruments, a little slow at points.

O álbum me surpreendeu bastante, gosto muito desse estilo de música mais calmo e relaxante.

Well, never heard of this guy before. Like the flow, and variety, so I think it's worth adding to the digital collection for a future listen.

I enjoyed this

Pretty nice, reminds me of Idaho

Some great tunes but why so long? A 35 minutes album would have been perfect.

soft indie rock music, mostly about relationships and daily life. it's the kind of album that really talks about ordinary things, but emphasizes the significance on the ordinary, if that makes any sense at all. sometimes jazzy, sometimes ambient, most of the time engaging and pretty damn relaxing. i thought it was pretty nice.

A cheeky mix of mellow folk, indie rock, instrumentals and singer-songwriter like confessionals - but there are always plenty of hooks to hang your beany on. It's tweeness does occasionally risk becoming a tad cloying, but this was an album that promised Badly Drawn Boy was going to become massive, and he did... for a bit. Best Tracks: The Shining; Once Around The Block; Pissing In The Wind

this album cover scared me ngl but it was a neat listen i can't articulate it well but a lot of the songs tickled my brain

Released in 2000, this is a really listenable album that raised so many questions before doing an information dive. Was it one guy or a band? American or European? Alt Rock or Alt Alt Rock? And it doesn't hurt that he's like just barely a month younger than me. Old Guys Rock. Good songs, with good melodies and what I thought was really good mixing. The Shining caught my ear, the title for Everybody's Stalking caught my eye, and Stone on the Water caught my imagination. Other good tracks were Bewildebeast and Pissing in the Wind. Unfamiliar with Badly Drawn Boy before this, but I liked it and actually added them to my artists list. On that alone, I'm going 4 stars.

I remember liking the name Badly Drawn Boy when I first heard it, but I had not listened to the music and I am glad I now have. Really good album here. Excellent songwriting and all performed so very well. I can hear various influences in his work but they don't totally take over and dominate the sound. He makes it his own. I'll have to check out his other albums too. Very cool.

This is a beautiful album. "Once Around The Block" was on most mix CD's I made from 2002-2005. I can't believe I've never listened to the rest of this album.

This is one of those debut albums which is full of snippets of great melodies to the point where you wonder if he'll be a one-album wonder, having spuffed his entire load early. The combination of lo-fi folk n whimsy is bursting with ideas, and fresh from Odelay (which reminded me of Exile cos I was fresh from that at the time) it reminds me of the collage-composition of that album, and the homemade feel. It is however quite varied in quality, but it feels like an album where you have to go with the sprawl and be generous to the lesser moments.

honestly pretty enjoyable overall, rly liked the 2nd song and once around the block. ending kinda falls off a bit but its a very nice chill indie album

Never heard of these guys. Def enjoyed the long album.

Interesting album. Music is enjoyable and well done.

Interesting album. I loved the variety of the tracks. Some songs were better than others. Definitely worth another listening to hear things that I missed.

Ohhh, this one had me on a chokehold for the better part of the early 00's.

Idk exactly how to describe this but it’s not bad. Very cohesive sound without getting repetitive, solid production. No huge standouts for me but glad I listened.

Good mix of indie/folkie rock songs. Not sure why but it seemed to be sequenced extremely well. The album flowed smoothly all the way through.

I'm pretty sure there's a lot of French horn in the first song which is pretty cool. This album was so random it was fun. It's funny how much he likes to rhyme.

nice almost folky but not quite. i’d add these songs to my playlists

8.5/10

I liked this a whole lot, especially the instrumentation. The songs are themed around the natural world and love. A very pleasant surprise. Added “Disillusion” to playlist after considering title track, “The Shining”, “Pissing in the Wind” and “Say It Again”.

That first hour was as beautiful as the first unlikely and then messianic encounter of an umbrella and a sewing machine on a surgeon's table. Nick Drake passed away (1974) 6 years before Stanley Kubrick's film The Shinning was released (1980) based on Stephen King's novel of the same name which was released (1977) just three years after Nick Drake's death. It's about the descent into insanity of a recovering alcoholic and aspiring novelist who takes a job as winter caretaker for a mountain resort hotel with his wife and clairvoyant son. What kind of fool tries to murder ghosts? Did daddy dislocate your shoulder, boy? Daddy is a bad man, oh boy. No other conclusion can be drawn. Why is everyone so loud? New Year's Eve again? So, we should all scream like assholes to welcome in a new year? Tears and laughter, a lowly pence ... You broke my train of thought nothing to say hence! One of my hobbies will be silence when I retire.

This was pretty great! I was already familiar with his next record, the About A Boy soundtrack, but this has some really fantastic songs that definitely got a lot of plays on my iTunes library haha. Everybody's Stalking and Once Around The Block are really killer tunes and the whole thing is pretty listenable with a some really fun moments. I was a little worn out by the end but overall a great listen.

Some motherfuckers on here aren’t real yearners and it shows

12/3/25. Want to revisit this more but a bit of a hidden gem for me! Encapsulates the alternative sound of the time very well, and great diversity in songwriting and arrangements.

Title was accurate, music was good.

Warm, quirky, whimsical indie folk. This album surprised me in that i thought I would hate but it was not bad at all. Definitely too long and a few tracks were substantially weaker than others. I loved the orchestral moments. The jazzy touches. Some tunes had lovely reverb laden guitar. Others more acoustic focused. Lots of different ideas melded together to make something unique and interesting. Favourite track - Another Pearl. 7.5/10

I have to admit I had low expectations, judging this by its cover. I also had never heard of this artist before. But I was in for a pleasant surprise. This album is rough around the edges in an endearing way, and sounds a bit like the music I make in my living room, trying out every sound effect in GarageBand (granted it was made well before bedroom pop was a common genre). Even with that homemade feel, it is a pretty ambitious effort combining a lot of styles and musical influences. My favorites were the sparse folkiness of “The Shining” and the hand-clapping anthem “Bewilderbeast.”

This album was something I’d probably rate higher 15 years ago during a different time of life. I really enjoyed it for what it was. Some points seemed to far-reaching and left this album without any real cohesive feeling. I liked the creativity and the intimate relationship the artist creates with the listner. Several standout tracks, but the lack of fluidity takes away from the experience. 3.6 stars rounded up to 4

Good folk rock album with a surprising amount of variety. Maybe a bit too long

I had this album in my sprawling iTunes list back in the aughts. So, even though I’ve never listened to this straight through, I do remember some tracks from when they’d come on in the shuffle-play. It really took me back! Strange that I remember these quiet little lo-fi songs so well! It looks like this got the boot from the 1001 list when a new edition came out. I’m sad to hear that. I actually liked this quite a bit.

Never judge an album by its cover, or its title for that matter. This was very good and I enjoyed it, contrary to my expectation when I got it. 4/5

Charming. Looks a bit long but just plenty of really good, heartfelt songwriting

Oh I used to listen to the About A Boy soundtrack all the time !!! And haven't heard any other Badly Drawn Boy. I'm looking forward to this Listened to this while getting ready for a party and it wasn't quite the going out vibe, but that's not Badly Drawn Boy's fault I like this a lot. Not to jinx it but there's been a run of good albums recently Songs added to playlist: - The Shining - Everybody's Stalking - Camping Next to Water - Disillusion

Very relaxing to leave on in the background, especially as it's a very long album.

Fun mellow album

- I am surprised how many songs I knew on this thinking I didn’t know anything about this band. - I really like it - the melodies are nice, and there is some interesting instrumental stuff (tuba, strings, more experimental sounds, water) going on with simple guitar/drums (but the occasional guitar solo, too). - Songs are short and sweet. - It feels like hanging out on the grass on a warm spring day wistfully staring at the sky. There’s definitely a melancholy to it (kind of gets into Elliott Smith territory, but with happier instrumental). - Singer’s voice is kind of pitchy - he can’t really hold notes without going out of tune, but his tone is pretty inoffensive, so it’s not so jarring that it ruins the experience for me (but, ngl, it’s pretty bad on Pissing in the Wind, which is a good tune and very Wilco-vibes). - Could do without Body Rap and all the doo be doo stuff on Once Around the Block.

Better than I remember. Should have got into this more at the time

It is a cold october day. Work is going slowly and painkillers are supposed to keep me going until my aches disappear. And then this album comes along like a warm blanket that is frayed on the edges. It is experimental and whimsical but is confident enough to pull off long instrumental bits. The occasional driven guitar riff accentuates the high cathartic moments in an otherwise folksy atmosphere. Has elements of lo-fi here and there. Perhaps the best vertical slice is "cause a rockslide". Great timing by the generator. Precisely what I needed.

Vet inte riktigt vad detta är, indie? Vad jag vet är att det går rakt in i den diffusa kategorin 'Ebis-musik'. Mycket lättsamt och stabilt album som trots sin längd på hela 18 spår inte gör att undertecknad tappar intresset. Som alltid vid en första lyssning är det svårt att veta vilka låtar som kommer dyka upp som en kallskänka i det undermedvetna och pocka på ens uppmärksamhet. Det jag vet är att The Hour of Bewilderbeast innehåller många potentiella kandidater. Om man ska ta på sig de kritiska glasögonen, eller brybågarna som det kallas i folkmun, tenderar låtarna att flyta ihop lite. Detta behöver inte vara ett problem. Detta kan vara ett perfekt album att dra på vid en middagsbjudning t.ex. Med det sagt vill jag påstå att albumet inte har några dåliga låtar. Bästa låt: Disillution Motivering: Mycket svängig framåtlunk driven av ett, vågar jag säga sexigt?, gurspel toppat med ett fantastiskt jamigt outro. 4/5 dankare Ebstar out.

British rock but most instruments played by one guy. Somewhat experimental, but not far on that spectrum. I enjoyed it and will listen to it again. 4/5

This album low key slaps

Pleasantly surprised with this album.

I enjoyed it but I can't tell why

Pretty solid stuff here.

Well, this brings back memories of riding the bus to the record shop and spending my wages from my first job on random CDs I'd never heard just in case they were amazing. I also had a discman with me so I could try the new stuff out on the bus home. I actually remember picking this up and listening to it a lot in a short space of time. I remember flicking through the booklet while enjoying its simple, sweet melodies and straightforward but thoughtful arrangements. And then I remember not listening to it again for about 25 years, so I'm not sure it really had the staying power required to really consider it a classic or must-listen. It has some great moments; Once Around The Block was an excellent lead single, and opener The Shining evoked a warm smile and spent the rest of the day stuck in my head. Listening to the instrumental sort-of-title track, Bewilderbeast, though, reminded me of why I generally found it a little twee and irksome in places (and probably why it then gathered 25 years of dust). A sweet glockenspiel line comes in towards the end of the track, and it's out of tune with the rest of the instruments. I'm not sure of the solution to an out-of-tune glockenspiel. You can't tweak its knobs or stretch it out a touch. I think you have to physically shave the metal bars, or you just have to go with it, and tune the rest of the instruments 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵. So I understand why, if it was a musical afterthought, that it was left in and its tuning ignored. But I also wish someone had pointed it out and got him a different one. I often feel this way about lo-fi records though, and while I appreciate it's a part of their charm and it definitely works in moderation, there's a reason most artists work to a more polished finish. In fact, listening to the swaggering Disillusion towards the end of the record demonstrates that when he does give his work that extra bit of polish, it's quite fantastic. I feel bad wanting to take off more than a single star, since being truly objective, it's a really nice, complete and clever album and the real reason I haven't listened to it for so long is my own shifting music taste. And that's hardly his fault, now is it?

I actually had no expectations but it was a ver beautiful album

I’ve seen Badly Drawn Boy live a couple of times, and he doesn’t try to hide the fact that his career hasn’t panned out the way he’d hoped. In retrospect, maybe this album had all his big ideas and that’s why it proved hard to top (and why it’s a shade too long) but it is a great debut.

I didnt know what to expect. Very pleasantly surprised, enjoyed it a lot. First track was crap, rest was fine.

spotify:album:7qdi1B4jqHEA5NvV34haRP

Harder and heavier than on first hearing

I know very little about Badly Drawn Boy, but somewhere around when this album came out, it was imprinted on me that he was "the British Elliott Smith," and that has stuck in my mind in the decades since. Listening to this album, I can see it (especially "Say It Again"). This sticks around a little too long, but it's solid.

3.8 - It was nice, some okay songs.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 is a beautifully odd debut — messy, warm, and full of heart. Badly Drawn Boy blends indie-folk, lo-fi production, and playful experimentation into something that feels deeply personal yet instantly inviting. It’s an album that shouldn’t work on paper, but somehow it all clicks — a little masterpiece of organized chaos.

Bon j'ai eu une réflexion aujourd'hui : y'a quand même un bon nombre d'albums qui sont ni des classiques ni révolutionnaires, dont celui-là. Donc je vois pas trop ce que l'album a à faire dans la liste c'est pas un must have pour mourir. Mais je me suis régalé grave bon mood, juste l'album était peut-être pas forcément nécessaire dans la liste.

Actually enjoyed this one. ImNone of the songs really blew me away but as a whole album I enjoyed listening to it and will probably revisit

rólegt og fallegt indie dæmi sem flæðir frekar vel

I was very pleasantly surprised by this one. Ton of variety of sounds. Really great album.

A very sweet, charming and warm sounding album. I don't know how, but for me, it creates an atmosphere that is very similar to be in a cozy wooden house in winter. Maybe it has something to do with the cover art. My true complain is that it feels a bit long and it is due to the songs feeling a bit too similar towards the end, even though I didn't dislike any of them.

It’s 2001. Cold, drizzly, early morning grey. I board the bus, on my way to middle school. CD player out, headphones on, hoodie up. Knees against the seat back, head against the window. This sounds very specifically like that to me.

Yes! I had forgotten this album. Great hear

Such a talented writer. Great album

Entspannt, sehr moody und einfach eins der Alben für die ich den Shit hier mache. Hat mich richtig abgeholt!

57/1089 started the first song and instantly loved the vibe, this is a bit of me. Then it flowed into the next song, so i’m hooked I can understand maybe why some don’t see this as a ‘must listen’ but i’m glad the curator of the list thought so because this is a gem that i’ve really enjoyed my time with. It has such a nice and familiar atmosphere that i find endearing, I love having some instrumental tracks to tie songs and feelings together I’ll definitely be returning to this. It’s missing the little extra bit that tips it into 5 stars for me so: 4 stars or 77/100 faves: The Shining, Another Pearl, Magic In The Air, Cause a Rockslide, Pissing in the Wind and Disillusion

Excellent, creative, weird little slice of indie music. It's a shame he didn't do anything even remotely as interesting after this.

I actually liked it very much. It was beautyfully written in terms of music. (As a classical-musician) I really enjoyed instruments!!! For example cello! It made the music more interesting and intelligent and deep and thought through.

Finally an artist and album that I've never heard of that I actually like. I wasn't so sure what this would be like looking at the cover (it lowered my expectation), but after listening to I can see it's pretty fitting! Really enjoyed this one!

Enjoyed this one, good voice, good sound and was long enough to really get a feel for it without feeling like it dragged. 4 stars

This album cover had me scared ngl, but it ended up being my jam

This was my intro to pop chamber folk and I have a lot of nostalgia and bias towards this record. The first half is absolutely flawless and beautiful but it does drag a bit towards the end.

They are really using different sounds quite well. They included instruments and sound effects but all themed the same way. If the album was polished slightly better, it would be more pleasant for listeners. Not sure if it’s Spotify but “this song” is really rubbish with left and right channel switching. Vocally he sounds very calm, which suits the music very well. It adds a nostalgic feeling to this album. Some tracks sound like sometime you’d hear in a good rusty lake game. Overall, a very pleasant listen.

I was pleasantly surprised by this album. Though it is mostly slow and somber, it really was an enjoyable vibe all the way through. I'm sure this is on Zach Braff's playlist somewhere and it rightfully should be.

Mér finnst About a boy soundtrackið betra, en þessi er mjög notaleg og fjölbreytt. Má alveg mæla með.

I was really impressed with this album. I had never heard of this artist before so i went in blind with no expectations at all. It is a slower album which I definitely struggle with normally but alot of the the songs on this album had some real life and creativity to them. I saved almost every other song which I think is genuinely really impressive. The only songs that lost me were the slowest songs. This albumas a whole made me very excited about listening to his other music cause this really won me over. If you look at my stats you will see I have a statistical difficulty with singer/songwriters typically, but Badly Drawn Boy is a breath of fresh air in a genre I traditionally really struggle with.

New band to me that I'll listen to more of! Songs: Bewilderbeast, Pissing in the Wind, Say It Again

reminds me of a lot of men singing at that time. not in a bad way tho.

My exposure to Badly Drawn Boy was limited - it's an artist that a few people pushed hard and fawned over, which always turned me off of it. But sitting down and listening to this whole album - it's really moving, and impressive with how expressive it is.

I really loved this

loved it so so much added loads to playlist need to hurry up lol

I really enjoy this album. The music-scapes are gorgeous and the lyrics are beautiful. My only hang up here is in the production. It’s almost as if they attempted to make it low-fi by “dirtying” it up digitally. The highs are really high, the middle is muddled and the lows don’t exist. The production seems to steal from the multiple instrument layers, where it could be so much more.

17/08/25 - evening 4.5/5 Kind of magical. Just what I needed tonight. I discovered my favourite song yet from the 1001 albums - Everybody's stalking. Epitaph and fell in a river were other highlights from the album. I feel as though badly drawn boy is the British indie equivalent to Elliot Smith. Easy, pleasant and chill listening. Very happy with my new discovery :) I had always been familiar due to their work on about a boy's soundtrack but never actually ventured to listen to the stuff. I'm glad I did.

Opa, chill e interesante

Lovely earnest little album

Great, and nice piece of it's moment.

causing a rock slide sounds a lot like the boom clap whistle era of 2010s "indie" a over a decade earlier which is actually pretty impressive. Overall it was a great indie album for which I am a sucker for.

Joli, doux et mélodieux, fort différent de ce que la pochette me laissait présager. J'aurais donné 4,5.

Another brand new band/album for me. Nice alternative sound, I could vibe with this. 4*

Decent, fun,

Completely new to me and I loved it. Beautifully done and the songs work together to conjure a world. Dense without taking itself too seriously.

This album fell into the "I've listened to this album a million times but it's been a while" category and like most of the others I'm happy I was given the reason to listen to it again. Still loved that unique, haunting vibe and listen to some of my old favorites. But like I used to feel back then, it was a bit long with a little too much filler. All in all though it was a great listen.

Very unique listen. I liked the stories from each song and some of the musical interludes and intros were a welcome addition. I will add this album to my rotation. Solid album.

Definitely a surprising like from me!

The tunes are pleasant and varied, an early 2000s record with nice elements of older pop music incorporated throughout. Goes well with the languid quality of his voice. Favorite tracks: Shining, Stone On The Water, Disillusion, Say It Again.

Really enjoyed this. Surely isn't for everyone, but it's a nice slice of 00s indie that I'm a total sucker for.

I am not sure if this album is a perfect choice for long sunny car drive but hey, I enjoyed it. And Harry Nilsson spirit is always welcomed.

Daję 7/10 mimo że część z tych piosenek brzmiała jakby je napisał jakiś wyjątkowo emocjonalny trzynastolatek. Ale cóż mogę powiedzieć? Ja lubię taki kicz z sercem na ramieniu. Mocno nostalgiczna płyta - nie znałam jej wcześniej, ale przeniosła mnie prosto do gimnazjum.

Enjoyable for 90s angst. No sarcasm here. This is very sweet.

Very melancholic and sad, I love it.

Gentle, but vibrant. Colorful, quiet, groovy. So good. First listen favorites: Another Pearl, Cause a Rockslide

The only thing negative to say about this album is that the boy making this album is not at all badly drawn. This is a strong album. I was immediately intrigued by the sound and tone. It is dramatic and quirky, and as I listened, I felt that I was hearing the soundtrack of a movie or a series of short films that need to be made. Imagine a much less pretentious Sufjan Stevens and enjoy the music!

This album slaps!

The shins meats modest mouse. 7/10

Not blown away but will definitely listen again, he’s a talent for sure! Some interesting stuff but needs a few more goes I think.

I like Cause a Rockslide & Disillusion

Coole Rock-Musik, melodisch, interessante Stimme. Mit Indie-Anteilen. 4/5

Overall, I did enjoy this album. It's very melodically diverse and interesting with a very specific aura of wilderness in it. It is more enjoyable as a whole album for a specific mood, rather than a play list standout songs. As for now my favourites are Everybody's Stalking, Fall in a River, Camping Next to Water, Stone on the Water, Another Pearl, Bewilderbeast, Magic in the Air, Pissing in the Wind and Epitaph. Probably would listen to it again as I love indie rock and folk. At times it gave me Deerhunter vibes (but this album came out earlier). Very solid and cohesive work.

like a 7/10

7/10 - it surprised me that I actually kind of liked it. I thought it would be boring or similar to everything else on this list but it was pretty good

Actually pretty good. I feel like albums I don’t know at all are always at a disadvantage ratings wise so I’m gonna give this a 4 because I was kinda fuckin with it

I’ve heard of this band but could not name a song. The opening track “the shining” is just wonderful. Bowed strings pizzicato strings and a horn. Love it. I love the choice of instruments for these arrangements. Both folky and modern. “This song” is fantastic.

Like the ghost of Nick Drake joined Wilco.

Damon Gough, a man who I have met thrice. Once, he ordered a margherita pizza when I was working in an Italian restaurant, even though it was happy hour and all pizzas were the same price. Once when we were being escorted out of Glastonbury on a tractor, and he was trudging along, and one recently, through work, when he was a top man. Anyway, this album was a real nostalgia fest, and surprisingly weird in places. Very nice indeed.

Funny, eclectic, sometimes fragile beauty. reminds me of Elliott Smith, with more instruments here and there.

This is a pleasant indie experience. It was a nice blip, didn't feel like the 90's/early 2000's which makes it a really interesting moment in time. I liked it, I don't know if I will revisit, but, it was good to see that not everyone was going the same rock direction.

I‘m just a hippie.

Pretty good, some amazing songs

Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. Really liked the little horns and strings mixed throughout these songs. Enjoyed the subject matter of a lot of them too. Mix of some more contemplative songs and some upbeat. Great stuff

## In-Depth Review: *The Hour of Bewilderbeast* by Badly Drawn Boy Badly Drawn Boy’s debut, *The Hour of Bewilderbeast* (2000), is a singular achievement in modern British music-an album that won the Mercury Prize over heavyweights like Coldplay and Doves, and whose reputation has only grown with time. Damon Gough’s sprawling, genre-bending opus is as enigmatic as its title, blending folk, indie, chamber pop, and experimental elements into a deeply personal, sometimes messy, but ultimately rewarding listen. --- ## Lyrics **Impressionism and Emotional Honesty** Gough’s lyrics on *Bewilderbeast* are impressionistic, often eschewing narrative clarity for evocative, fragmentary reflections on love, loss, and self-doubt. The writing is raw yet confident, coaxing emotion from the listener’s own memories and vulnerabilities[1]. There’s an unmistakable honesty and naivety, which Gough himself has described as a defining virtue of the album-one that can never be repeated, and which listeners have taken to heart[1]. Nature imagery recurs throughout: water, rivers, stones, and mist serve as metaphors for emotional states. In “Camping Next to Water,” the simplicity of “But there's no use in feeling / All the things I'm feeling / There's no one here to feel with me” stings with universal truth, capturing the ache of loneliness[1][5]. Elsewhere, “Stone on the Water” is brief and abstract: “Skipped like a stone on the water / Fall with no trace to lie permanently,” suggesting impermanence and the search for meaning[5]. **Romantic and Existential Themes** Romantic complications and self-exploration dominate the album. “Once Around the Block” is an eloquent love song, analyzing both sides of a relationship with lines like “Now I see the vision through your eyes / Your innocence no longer fuels surprise,” balancing melancholy with optimism[6]. Even when lyrics seem vague or abstract, they are delivered with a sincerity that invites the listener’s own interpretation[3]. **Lyrical Weaknesses** Some critics argue that, for all its evocative turns of phrase, the album is not especially strong on narrative or lyrical depth. There is no overarching story or conceptual thread-just a loose set of reflections, sometimes bordering on the cryptic[2]. For listeners seeking direct storytelling or pointed commentary, this can be a drawback. --- ## Music **Eclecticism and Inventiveness** Musically, *The Hour of Bewilderbeast* is a kaleidoscopic journey. The album opens with a cello-French horn duet (“The Shining”) before shifting into acoustic folk, then veering into alt-rock with “Everybody’s Stalking.” These transitions are bold but seamless, and the record is full of such stylistic leaps: from the falsetto-driven, percussive “Cause a Rockslide,” to the brief, swirling instrumental “Bewilderbeast,” to the breezy, indie-pop single “Another Pearl”[3][2]. The arrangements are inventive and playful, often described as “junkyard-folk Beck mixtape” meets “Elliott Smith chamber-pop suite”[2]. Gough employs a vast array of instruments-harps, drum machines, organs, and more-often playing them himself, which gives the album a homemade, intimate feel[4]. The result is a “genreless pop” that covers a smorgasbord of styles while maintaining a core of catchy melodies and emotional directness[3]. **Hooks and Melodic Strength** Despite its experimental tendencies, the album is anchored by strong melodies. Songs like “Once Around the Block” and “Disillusion” are immediately memorable, while others, like “Magic in the Air,” reveal their hooks more gradually. The album’s sequencing-full of segues, interludes, and abrupt stylistic shifts-keeps the listener engaged, even as it occasionally threatens to lose cohesion[3]. **Musical Weaknesses** The album’s eclecticism can be a double-edged sword. Some tracks feel like genre exercises or experiments that don’t fully cohere, and the sheer variety can make the album feel unfocused or even bloated at times[2][6]. The melodies, while often beautiful, can be fragile and understated, requiring patience and repeated listening to fully appreciate[4]. --- ## Production **Lo-Fi Charm and DIY Spirit** The production of *Bewilderbeast* is intentionally rough-edged and unpolished, contributing to its lo-fi, homespun charm. Gough’s approach is to mask his pop instincts behind layers of sonic smokescreens-off-kilter arrangements, abrupt transitions, and a general sense of playful chaos[6]. This keeps the album from ever feeling slick or overproduced, but also means that some of its best moments are hidden beneath a veneer of deliberate messiness. **Inventive Arrangements** The album’s production is notable for its use of unconventional sounds and recording techniques. Songs often shift abruptly in tone or instrumentation, with interludes and sound effects (like the splash in “Fall in a River”) adding to the sense of unpredictability[5]. The use of instrumental tracks, such as the title track “Bewilderbeast,” underscores Gough’s belief that sometimes music can say more than words[1]. **Production Weaknesses** The downside of this approach is that the album can feel cluttered or overlong. The bloated tracklist (18 songs, over an hour) and occasional indulgence in lo-fi affectations can obscure the underlying songwriting brilliance, making the record less immediately accessible[6]. Some listeners may find the production “off-putting” or the transitions jarring rather than charming[6]. --- ## Themes **Nature, Vulnerability, and Self-Discovery** The album’s dominant themes are nature, vulnerability, and the search for self-understanding. Pastoral imagery abounds, with rivers, water, and landscapes serving as metaphors for emotional states-uncertainty, longing, and the desire for connection[1][5]. The recurring motif of water, in particular, suggests both the flow and unpredictability of life and emotion. **Naivety and Honesty** Gough’s own sense of naivety and honesty permeates the record. The album feels like a first attempt in the best sense: unguarded, experimental, and refreshingly unconcerned with commercial expectations[1]. This gives the album a sense of innocence and authenticity that is difficult to replicate. **Isolation and Connection** While there are moments of melancholy and loneliness, the overall tone is one of hope and resilience. The album offers “sanctuary for the sentimental,” inviting listeners to find their own meaning in its ambiguous lyrics and shifting moods[1]. Even at its most introspective, there is a sense of reaching out for connection, whether through love, friendship, or music itself. --- ## Influence **Critical Acclaim and Legacy** *The Hour of Bewilderbeast* was a critical and commercial success, winning the Mercury Prize and establishing Badly Drawn Boy as a major figure in British indie music[1][3]. Its eclectic, genre-blurring approach has influenced a generation of songwriters, particularly those interested in blending folk, pop, and experimental elements. **Impact on Indie and Folk-Pop** The album’s willingness to mix styles and its embrace of lo-fi production have been cited as touchstones for the indie and folk-pop scenes of the 2000s. Its success paved the way for artists who value emotional honesty and musical eclecticism over polish or commercial formula[3]. **Gough’s Subsequent Career** While Gough’s later work has not matched the acclaim or impact of his debut, *Bewilderbeast* remains a high-water mark, both for him and for the era. Its enduring appeal lies in its refusal to be pinned down, its invitation to explore, and its celebration of imperfection. --- ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | |---------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | Inventive, genre-blending arrangements | Bloated tracklist and running time | | Honest, emotionally resonant lyrics | Occasional lack of lyrical/narrative clarity | | Strong melodies and memorable hooks | Some tracks feel like unfinished experiments | | Lo-fi, DIY production adds intimacy and charm | Production can obscure the album’s best moments | | Eclectic, unpredictable sequencing keeps the album fresh | Abrupt transitions may jar some listeners | | Pastoral and nature imagery creates a unique thematic atmosphere | Requires patience and repeated listening to fully appreciate | | Influential in indie and folk-pop circles | Later Badly Drawn Boy albums failed to recapture its magic | --- ## Conclusion *The Hour of Bewilderbeast* is a restless, searching debut that rewards patient, attentive listening. Its blend of heartfelt lyricism, inventive music, and unpolished production creates a world that is both intimate and expansive. The album’s flaws-its messiness, its lack of focus, its occasional self-indulgence-are inseparable from its virtues. It is an album that invites you to get lost, to wander, and ultimately, to find yourself reflected in its bewildered beauty. For those willing to embrace its idiosyncrasies, it remains a touchstone of modern British songwriting, and a testament to the power of honest, unguarded art.

Strange in a good way

The Hour of the Bewilderbeast is the debut full-length album from Badly Drawn Boy, the stage name of British musician Damon Gough. The album was very well received, and won the Mercury Prize in 2000. Badly Drawn Boy records richly orchestrated folk songs, with a light, serene tone to them. They wander a bit toward sappy self-indulgence, but not enough to detract from the impressive musicality of the work.

Weird in a good way. I wouldn't listen to it with headphones though, I think it would make me dizzy.

4/16/2025: Cool album, work these songs into the rotation.

I don't think I've ever listened to Badly Drawn Boy before, but this was pretty good for some chill 90's stuff. I'm sure I would've liked it more at the time, but it's still solid. 3.5

Very fine record.

4- Stars (10/15)

I was expecting something along the lines of Panic at the Disco or My Chemical Romance. This was a very pleasant surprise.

I would have liked to have heard this when it came out instead of 25 years later. This very well could have been one of my favorite albums if I had heard it at the right time. I had to skip "This Song" because of the hard, rapid left/right panning. Wearing earbuds with a good seal, it was affecting my balance, not to mention annoying.

Beautifully put together and musically more layered than I remembered. I know some of these songs so well that I thought I knew the album too but nope. Really enjoyable.

Oh I like this. A Britpop Nick Drake vibe.

I liked the album as a whole, but I particularly liked the intro song. I wish that vibe had carried out through the rest of the album.

Quite enjoyable. Get some Jeff Mangum and Wilco vibes. Favorite tracks: The Shining Stone on the Water Once Around the block

Maybe a bit too long, but it made a damn good effort to have enough range for a whole hour. Otherwise, a nice album, nothing too innovative, but very lovely to listen to. 4/5

Pleasant