Reviews (page 4 of 9)
Mellow. Too mellow. Derivative. Badly drawn
This was so boring. Indie and pretentious nonsense. I mean not bad but bland and flavorless. Nothing exciting at all. It’s not bad, but blah. Blah drawn blah. Blah blah blah.
Feels boring, uninspired and uncohesive.
Super album. Proche d'arctic monkeys.
Reminds me of The Shins
I love the horns and gentle instrumentation & vocals. Quirky in the best way. Tracks to Track: The Shining, Magic in the Air
Zzzzz
The first half, I'd give it 2 stars based on being boring and not particularly memorable. The second half though it really came alive, 4 stars for sure. For the total package, 3 stars. An interesting, enjoyable listen but I dont see myself ever coming back to it
Mouais
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
That's not my taste in music - But ok
Как фон какой-нибудь осенью, когда тянет на всякий Сиэттл, - может быть. Но совсем не понятно, зачем. Лучшая песня - Blistered Heart.
it‘s good
Een grappige vergaarbak aan indie-deuntjes, een beetje akoestisch, elektrisch gitaartje ertussen, blij keyboardje, orgeltje, af en toe een gek instrumentje zoals een harmonium. Er blijft echter niks van hangen, eerlijk gezegd. Eigenlijk best een prestatie: singersongwritermuzak maken.
Singer-songerwriter muziek. Gewoon de klassieke slaap variant. Het zit vaak prima in elkaar. Maar soms is het ook tergend zeurend. Ik kan heel weinig met nummers als Fall in a river. Ook dit album moest ik spreiden over twee luistersessies. En uur man. Dat doe je jezelf toch niet aan?
Zijn stem en de klanken doen me in eerste instantie denken aan Elliott Smith. Als ik de wiki vervolgens doorlees, ben ik niet de enige. Huismerk Elliott Smith staat er bijna: "The Hour of Bewilderbeast, when compared to Elliott Smith's Figure 8, makes Gough (=Badly Drawn Boy) "look like an imposter."" Net als bij Smith is dit ook hele relaxte singer-songwritermuziek. Met zijn zachte stem past het prima als sfeervolle filmmuziek bij een of andere romcom of drama. Het begint wel aardig, maar wordt wat saai naar het eind toe. Meer dan een uur is ook bij dit soort muziek veel te lang blijkbaar.
A perfectly listenable indie album by some British band I have never ever heard of. Idk if this counts as something influential or Important enough to be on this list, but it’s completely alright
Not bad but rather boring but I did like "Everybody's Stalking" and "Cause a Rockslide".
Fucking boring
So many songs I knew but didn't know I knew. A beautiful journey through a poignant landscape. A journey I want to take again
Pretty forgettable, few good songs
Very chill but good.
Some really nice arrangements on this album. I'm always unsure how I'll go listening to something like chamber pop / folk. Kinda fell off aggressively in the second half and reminded me of missy higgins or something. Everyone's Stalking is probably the highlight of the album for me.
Heard during college. Didn’t know it was from 1999.
boooooooooooooooooooooooring
rólegt og fallegt indie dæmi sem flæðir frekar vel
Sent me right back to being like 14 in 2004 when I first discovered this album. I hadn't listened in a long time and I really enjoyed the opportunity to re-listen to this again.
I enjoyed listening to The Hour Of Bewilderbeast. Maybe I am a sucker for indie singer-songwriter tropes, but I found myself wanting to have Badly Drawn Boy as a friend. Then it hit me: Damon Gough sounds like Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. I got into a Wilco phase for a minute starting in 2003. Really liked Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, A Ghost Is Born and Sky Blue Sky. In another universe, Jeff Tweedy has an indie singer-songwriter career as IBS Boy.
20 seconds into the first track i broke into a cold sweat realizing the impending terror that the next hour of my life was going to be spent listening to twee singer-songwriter bullshit. well!! i wasn't wrong, BUT ☝️i must affirm: this album is more than some twee singer-songwriter bullshit. i hate being like "if it was different, i would've liked it," but i had the incessant feeling as i was listening to this album that if it didn't have the cheesy, singer-songwriter indie trappings, it could've easily been a high 4 or 5 for me. that being said, it has a lot of that. but it also has a lot more going on - i didn't look at the date when i started listening, and guessed that this was some mid to late aughts indie project - but no!! 1999!!! EXCUSE ME??? AND this was this SOLO artist's DEBUT ALBUM???? this guy is insanely talented and sounds years ahead of his scene. while i genuinely enjoyed a handful of tracks from this album, when i tried to get over myself and take some of the lyrics in good faith, i started to wonder if - excuse the british term - this guy was taking the piss. which is part of my problem with singer-songwriter as a genre, and brought my overall rating down. still: pleasantly surprised by this album and the sounds it brings. please, for a moment, imagine that meme of three wojacks on the iq scale. please imagine the first wojack, to the low iq left end, is saying "this is some twee singer-songwriter bullshit," then please imagine a smug looking wojack in the bell curve center saying "it's more than that!!!," then, finally, please imagine a large-brained wojack on the high iq right end saying "this is some twee singer-songwriter bullshit, but i like it anyway." highlights - everybody's stalking, fall in a river, body rap, once around the block, bewilderbeast, cause a rockslide, disillusion
I was very pleasantly surprised by this one. Ton of variety of sounds. Really great album.
This kept me afloat a stressful day. Didn't lose my temper like I usually do when my co-workers don't do things and I gotta play clean up. It's a chill album and I appreciate the calm tempo. No stress here ☺️🫰
This album confused me. Firstly the songwriter is clearly very talented. But there was a medley of styles throughout the album. He goes from a melancholic style discussing love to more funky sounding tunes like body rap and once around the block. He’s a fan of experimenting with sounds on the guitar and distortions which in totality probably add to the album. BUT there was something that I couldn’t super get behind on the album - and I tried- listening over 2 days. But sadly left me wanting for something I don’t know. Nice album not sure groundbreaking. 3/5
The Good: We are getting bewildered… The Bad: It seems I am dyslexic… The Ugly: The drawing of the boy… Yes… I mean, No… I mean, WTF? Opinions, they say, are like assholes… Everyone’s got one… I am having too many difficulties fathoming why this album needs to be listened to at least ones before I die… I really can’t understand it. Just out of spite, and for wasting my time, I am going to be a prick and change the artist’s name to Badly Rated Boy… 1*
That was a surprise - not like an incredible one, but more like waking up a few minutes before the alarm so you get to sleep for a few more minutes
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.
I forgot to rate this! It had some great songs and was not bad at all. Pretty mid and had some bad stuff tho
The very last song reminded me of tapir! But alas this was a very long and mostly boring album so… sorry! I’m getting picky.
Always been quite a fan of this one. There’s enough variety and invention on here to give it good re-listen value, but it’s a bit too long
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
The Great Eastern was robbed.
Pleasant enough listen
Such a talented writer. Great album
A bit long, but some very nice songs on here. Minus point for length Minus point for some weird ass songs.
This one was alright. Not much to say tbh.
Oof I do not like the rapidly swapping stereo sound in This Song; had to skip it. I think a few songs were tolerable but overall there was just too much bleh to wade through.
wow what a whirlwind of emotions I felt during this. For the first half, I hated how much I liked it, then in the middle I really didn't like it, it truly bothered my ears, but by the end, I was back to enjoying it (begrudgingly). I don't know why this sits on this list, I guess I continue to feel conflicted with it. 2.5 rounded up.
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.
Basically nothing going on here. But yet somehow still an hour long. Depressingly the few chances he does take are the worst bits.
Ordered this Elliott Smith album from Temu. Decent quality for the money but will buy from a reputable record store next time (I actually quite enjoyed this)
Good
Bewilderbeast. I wish I had thought of that. Now I’m pissed. I’m also pissed that this album cover exists. What the hell is happening with this friggin guy? Just some quirked up white boy in his horrible homunculus exoskeleton. I guess that’s why the call it the hour of the bewilderbeast. The hour is 11am, and I am the beast in question. I’m getting all riled up now. Run the tape. The Shining - This is just like that book. Yeah you know the one. “Pizza for Morons - Turn on the oven you fucking idiot.” Challenging read, but I’ve started making my own pies and have never looked back. Everybody’s Stalking - Then who is stalking the stalkers? Who is stocking the stalks? Who is stalking the stockers? What about the people who like to talk about stalks? Will they be put in stocks? What about when a stock recipe calls for celery stalks? Nobody is asking these questions and that’s why I have written a new novel “Into the Ground - My Comedy Journey from Nowhere to “Now Here” (reviewing music on 1001albumsgenerstor.com) Bewilder - This interlude is a great time to peddle my NEWEST novel “BE Wilder - A tribute to the 2005-2006 Minnesota Wild alum Filip Kuba.” It’s a real hunk of junk, but licensing real celebrities is expensive. Fall in a River - Rivers don’t have seasons. Idiot. Camping Next to Water - He said it! Right at the start he said the song title. This guy does not mess around. Stone on the Water - This guy love this water hey? First he sets up camp, then he does some weird stuff with rocks. Out to lunch. Another Pearl - The song for bored mistresses the world over. Great. ANOTHER pearl. Jeez what’s next? A diamond? You’re a revolutionary. This one is very 2000s. I guess I should periodically mention the music. Kind of ruins the mood though. I think I’ll continue not talking about it. Body Rap - Yo it’s my tibia and my fibula rockin’ on down to those crazy carpals. Once Around the Block - Well, this is an awkward moment. I had to stop listening to this yesterday for some reason and never started back up. It is now tomorrow. The 48 hours of Bewilderbeast. We’re beyond the first 48. This Song - AAAAAHHHH NOOO THE SOUND MAKES ME FEEL ALL WEIRD. Bewilderbeast - Yup. It’s a song. Magic in the Air - I can feel it coming in the uhh. Oh man. What’s that song. I can. SHIT. FUCK. Cause a Rockslide - You monster. There were people in the village. Pissing in the Wind - Repetition, the musical. Blistered Heart - I really have to stop this track by track reviewing nonsense. “Reviewing.” Listen to me. Stream of consciousness journaling that needs to be turned over to some authority. Disillusion - Ew this song is gross. Quirky English public transit patron wants to write a radio hit. “I could do it better and with a two minute keyboard solo.” Say It Again - As long as you don’t sing it again, I’ll be alright. Epitaph - Here lies this album. Never to be heard again. Some of the greatest minds in music gather in a smoky conference room. There’s an empty chalkboard to be filled with the greatest, most influential musical recordings ever to be released by humanity. The ideas are flowing. Years of expertise distilled into the furious brainstorming of these musical fanatics. “Well obviously, David Bowie!!” This is met with uproarious applause and glee. Furious scribbling on the chalkboard ensues. “Learned Cohen, Nick Cave!!” One reviewer passes out, while one author fans him back to consciousness, literal champagne bottles have been uncorked and the room now reeks of alcohol and the heavy dew of sweat. Both from the exhaustion and the exhilaration. “Nick Cave… AGAIN!” Now it’s pandemonium. The older reviewers are hastily misdialling 9-1-1, whilst the young ones revel in drunken ecstasy. Through the elation, an English accent ekes into the airspace “uhh do you guys like Badly Drawn Boy.” A hush interrupts the celebrations. Eyes turn towards a man in the corner of the room that they hadn’t noticed before. A meek gentleman who was not recognized as one of the main contributors to this burgeoning compendium of musical greatness. “Err umm yeah they’re really great and they also heavily influenced umm.” He’s cut off. “I really think we have enough here, man. None of us have heard of this” say the suddenly irked reviewers. “I just think it’s umm really good and my dad paid for this room so.” The main author rubs his eyes in frustration and sighs deeply. “It is getting late” he exhales. “Fine, we’ve run a little thin here anyway. I can’t even think of any more Bruce Springsteen records, so let’s give it to Big Drawer boy or whatever. “Badly Drawn Boy” the man weakly corrects. “Yeah whatever. Great work here gentlemen.” The authors and the incognito Damon Gough leave the room knowing they compiled a true starter guide to a uniquely human art that also included this album for some reason. 2 HIGHLIGHTS - Warren Zevon - Excitable Boy.
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
Fine
This album cover had me scared ngl, but it ended up being my jam
I think there's a lot of good stuff here. It has a sort of melancholy that reminds me of nick drake or radiohead, but it's his own brand and it's unique. Still a little long and not many if any standouts
This was an unknown album to me. I like it a lot, though there are some missteps (looking at you This Song), and like most hour+ albums you could trim 15-20 min pretty easily. It’s questionable how much lasting impact this had to say the least. But overall this was a gentle, enjoyable album and I’ll probably revisit at least the first half in the future
3.5 stars. Sufjan Stevens-esque. Some variety track to track instead of standard singer-songwriter. Standout "Disillusion".
No idea how to describe this musical style - some singer-songwriter type stuff, some instrumental with instruments I can't identify - but I really liked it!
This was a very unique-sounding album
This was fine. Elliot Smith meets Simon and Garfunkel. Very long album. This might evoke a guitar smashing GIF from some.
Glückstreffer, toller fund, tolles album. Unaufgeregt, aber tief. Einfach schön.
It's fine, but once again, I find myself feeling disappointed at how yet another spot on this list being taken up by some average sounding British indie rock/folk album that's going to be just another 2 when there are MANY other culturally significant works and genres of music that this list doesn't even begin to touch. I understand that this is simply one man's opinion, but for such a widely known book/list, I don't think it should be held in such high regard as some definitive compilation of must-listen music. Like, this album is on here but The Black Parade isn't??? Give me a break. This was whatever had some songs I mildly enjoyed but nothing really made much of an impact on me
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.
Je ne comprends même pas pourquoi ça fait partie de ce top 1001.
Det känns som att jag är i ett toxiskt förhållande med artisten präglat av psykadelika. Och sen blir han John Lennon helt randomly i en låt. Jag uppskattar det👍
Overall, this is a pretty chill album, quite enjoyable having it in the background even, and possibly even a good experience. There were no crazy songs, it was just calm with sometimes a little bit of guitar noise.
An interesting album. Sounds like it should have been released in the 60s/70s, but it came out in 2000. Probably would have been a big hit back in the later decades. All that said, I thought it was okay.
Interesting collection of instruments and variety. The whole vibe of the album was very cheesy to me, I might have liked this more in high school. Not a fan at all of most of the instrumental tracks.
All fine, but got boring by the end. Saved one song. low 3
interesting.
The only BDB song I had heard before this was the one on the UNKLE album. This one is nice though.
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.
Pretty chill album for the dawning of autumn. Not particularly gripping but pleasant nonetheless. The runtime is contributing to it kind of running together. Squarely a 3 in my book.
I don’t understand why this album is here. It’s got some decent patches… but it’s gonna be a no from me dawg
Sometimes, the music was pretty good. But also sometimes, the singing was horrendous. Too long and not interesting or good enough.
Meh. Couple good songs, definitely reminded me of Elliot Smith here and there. Just not really anything that caught my attention or held it. Would be some good rainy day background music.
Every song sounds the same, but it's a good sound. Perfect background music while cooking for a big group dinner which is exactly how we listened to it.
Kind of came and went for me on this one, initially sounding interesting and then less so.
Oh look, another British artist. This wasn't bad, where the songs sounded like they easily could have been on the Garden State soundtrack. Definitely has a chill vibe going for it, but I don't know if I'll purposefully seek this out again as it's also forgettable. This will likely be a one and done kind of album, never to be listened to again.
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.
Surprised how much I didn’t like this album. Always enjoyed the About a Boy soundtrack.
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.
No doubt about it that I do have a penchant for guitar playing troubadours producing exquisite melodies with a folky feel, northern English grit and plenty or orchestral overdubs. Badly Drawn Boy ticks all these boxes so no surprise that I have this album and a fair few of his others. A great album which can make you happy and also when in that mood very melancholy. 5/5 28/8/25
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.
5.5/10
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.
Indie Rock Moody
Once around the block is a blast of nostalgia. Other tracks don't make so much of an impression
I bought this album on CD at the same time as XO by Elliott Smith. Both were purchased purely on recommendations and reviews - in those days you didn't have direct access to whatever music you liked, whenever you wanted to hear it. One of my best days ever for music buying. I still listen to this regularly and love it as much as the first time I heard it. If you find yourself stuck in traffic, pop it on and let the wave of calm just wash over you.
Pretty good sound
Very okay album, I suppose. I listened to this on a morning walk and it was passively enjoyable. I liked a few of the melodies, however nothing stood out to me.
Fine but too much bloat
I thought this was a good example of dirge-like, folk-inspired, shoegaze indie rock that was popular in the 2000s. I understand that the album is no longer in the latest editions of the book. Shows that you should really let the music be at least 10-20 years old before it makes the list. I think there are a bunch of albums included from the 2000s on that don’t meet the standard to be included. Or maybe I’m an angry old man yelling at clouds… 2.5⭐️
I really loved this
Pretty great blind listen
loved it so so much added loads to playlist need to hurry up lol
A wonderfully soothing album. The only downside is it drags on a couple songs too long.
There are a couple of songs here that really save this from being an otherwise unremarkable 2.5 star affair.
Never really listened to Badly Drawn Boy before this. Gives me major Elliot Smith vibes, but a little more alt-folk. Everybody's Stalking sounds familiar, but maybe because it sounds like it could be some 90's alternative B-side? Once Around the Block and Bewilderbeast are a couple of my favorites here. I think it goes on too long.
Joder, pues no va a ser que resulta que el Mercury Prize tiene hasta sentido. De primeras no daba un duro por este álbum, empezando por esa portada tan extraña y el hecho de jamás haber escuchado el nombre de este autor. Pero mira, me ha sorprendido muy gratamente. Una especie de Elliott Smith más heterogéneo y que sabe componer mejor, con una mezcla de instrumentos muy interesante y efectos creando una especie de pop-rock barroco melancólico. No le doy más nota porque ya hay demasiados álbumes de rock británico en la lista quitándole el puesto a artistas de otros lares, pero lo dicho, muy buen álbum.
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.
Another gem discovered thanks to this list. It seems long, but it moves really fast. Great pacing, rhythm, production… love it. I truly appreciate these surprises
Badly sung songs
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.
Crap English Band Alert!!! Another entry from a UK act that doesn’t belong on this list. This album has very little going for it. The one song I liked was Everybody’s Stalking, mainly because it sounds a bit like Alice In Chains’ Got Me Wrong. Everything else was very bland. This guy’s voice is below average and the songs were not well built out. Better than a couple of the others who sucked on this list, but still getting 1 star out of spite.
been about 20 years since I've listened to this album in full. It's bloody great
Arranco muy lento dando a entender que el disco iba a ser totalmente un bodrio pero mejoró pasando los temas y le pone más emocion aunque sigue siendo música chill
Opa, chill e interesante
Meh
Lovely earnest little album
This was cute. Sounds like it could be the Garden State soundtrack.
Great, and nice piece of it's moment.
I was going to be generous and give this 3 starts until “This Song”’s radial speaker thing made me literally sick
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.
i fully expected to hate this and actually almost wanted to before i heard it. i actually enjoyed it. way too long. if this was trimmed a bit it would actually be something i probably listened to. interesting
Genuinely what are the parameters for getting on this list?
Sick indie vibes from the end of the 90s.
Not as good as some of his later albums. Bit of a mixed bag.
I normally put on the daily album when I get home and do my nightly jobs to keep the home going. Today I mowed the lawn. Listening to this made the the 1hour job seem like 3 hours. I would not listen to this again
Like the first song on the album, that’s about it. Wouldn’t listen again
I liked it. It didn't blow me away at any point, but was far better than many of the more modern (I guess 2000 isn't all that modern anymore) albums I've heard.
You know as a kid growing up in the 80s, the year 2000 seemed so far away, but we knew that we could look forward to the future, like flying cars, personal robots, teleportation devices, video telephones. Little did we know that the music would be so bad. Best song on this album was instrumental Bewilderbeast.
79% Best: Everybody’s Stalking; Camping Next to Water; Another Pearl; Once Around the Block; Bewilderbeast; Disillusion Must-Hear? This album is very uneven; there are a handful of really good tracks (see above), but overall the album is not as cohesive as it could be. It's a not quite for me.
This grew on me over the listen. Some interesting effects, anyway.
It started off interesting, but then got boring. I might come back to it when I'm reading and just want something really chill to listen to. Wasn't doing it for me today unfortunately.
Joli, doux et mélodieux, fort différent de ce que la pochette me laissait présager. J'aurais donné 4,5.
doesn't stand out to me but pleasant
A rummage through a Mancunian attic, this could be sawed in half and made tight, but the anticlimactic, bric-a-brac baroque vibe seems deliberate, a large part of whatever charmed its audience back in the day. This dour, slightly wistful, big chorus-scorning kind of music was a movement, now I look back. Never bothered with him at the time, wistful to see he has faded since (like most), I found this good company with little to hang onto, though one song did barge its way to the front, and it feels right the title is “Pissing in the Wind”.
I really do get why people are irritated by this list's obsession with minor UK artists of the early 2000's. This, however, is worth the indulgence. Hyped to death at the time, and deliberately ignored until introduced to me by a friend with a pretty varied, if nonchalant, music taste (some hip-hop, some techno, The Doors, The Stone Roses) with the recommendation "has lots of little bits with good sounds". Sure enough it does, and is quite enchanting (as is the "About A Boy" soundtrack if you're unsatiated). Love the instrumental title track in particular; the kind of thing an Englishman does uniquely well, on occasion.
Meh
Ik ken dit niet en ik was er eigenlijk al weer klaar voor om de keuzes van Robert Dimery met de grond gelijk te maken, maar ik vind me dit toch een prettig album. Het begin in ieder geval. Er wordt een soort melancholische snaar bij me geraakt waardoor ik hier heel graag naar luister. Ik heb nu al zin om die eerste paar tracks nog een keer aan te zetten. Lekker indie-achtig, melancholische akkoorden, enigszins vaag terwijl de instrumenten helemaal niet vaag zijn. Lekkere strijkertjes, af en toe verrassende keuzes qua hoe de liedjes zijn opgebouwd en een niet te dik er bovenop gelegd laagje lekkere blues. Maar dan. De zanger zingt sowieso af en toe niet bepaald zuiver ('Another Pearl', tering zeg), maar dat gaat pas echt storen bij 'Pissing in the Wind'. Dat is ongeveer het punt dat bij mij de kans op een vijfsterrenrating compleet verkeken is. Vanaf dan worden een aantal planken flink mis geslagen. Het laatste stuk van het album is verschrikkelijk. Ik zet hem op 3 sterren wat uiteindelijk een rare score is voor een album wat me aanvankelijk zo goed bevalt.
I'm not loving it so far, and the comparisons they use in his Spotify writeup are insane, but it's not terrible. He's more like low-rent Elliott Smith than anything else. Or like a precursor to The Shins. Stone on the Water is the best song on the album so far. Critics complained about the Rolling Stone 500 being too "American" but this list is way too British. As indie folk, this is not as good as Iron & Wine. Parts of Bewilderbeast sound vaguely like The Doors Land Ho! Blistered Heart is one of the better songs. The music is better than his singing. Epitaph is a good song to end on.
Perfect voice! Nice music.
I liked this one. It was easy listening, tender, and the instrumentals were unique.
I kinda like it, a little indie slop and too long though Will I listen to again: 30%
Another brand new band/album for me. Nice alternative sound, I could vibe with this. 4*
Awful
Not sure if I'm still tainted from experiencing him moan on stage at a festival about the sound crew, then the lighting crew, the amount he was getting paid by the festival and then the crowd or whether this is just an awful album . . . no, I've tried to listen to it some more . . It's an awful album (he has a couple of decent tracks in his locker though)
Solid indie rock, almost a 4
Decent, fun,
Early 2000s British rock was all about coming down from the highs of Cool Britannia, whereby the lessons were to never be so ambitious that you'd lose sight of what got you towards the finish line. There had to be new ways to showcase ceaseless talent and Badly Drawn Boy provided the path. The Hour of Bewilderbeast is an hour or so of endlessly endearing folk-pop efforts designed to be as shambolic as possible, but failing to do so on account of its accessible structures. The Hour of Bewilderbeast is the sounds of a dawning of a new age, where participation isn't expected but the amount of work put in is something to admire and respect from afar. The boy may be as badly drawn as he wants to, but deep down, he's a clever painting.
Pleasant, but not resonant to me.
Heard of but never heard before now. The British lovechild of Sufjan Stevens and Jeff Tweedy maybe? I had a really strange end to my day yesterday, when within the span of a few minutes I went from washing dishes to urgently driving an injured hawk to a wildlife rehabilitator a couple of towns over. I was trying to think of music that could relax the hawk - Beethoven's piano sonatas maybe? - and because I had been streaming this in the kitchen, it came in again after my phone paired with the car and I decided to let it ride. The hawk arrived alive, so I guess this must be a pretty good album!
I really like Damon Gough's moniker as Badly Drawn Boy, although I'm not sure I've ever heard anything by him, especially from this album. It's a pleasant enough listen, and there's a fair amount of musical variety across the hour-long album, which is always a positive in my book. I was a bit disappointed that his music seemed to be lacking a lot of depth (likely from the lack of a band, although impressive that he played many of the instruments on this self-penned, self-produced album); the highlights for me were probably "Everybody's stalking", "Another pearl" (in part due its strange clown-themed video) and "Disillusion" (also in large part for its quirky human-taxi video). (The video for "Once around the block" was amusing, but the song just wasn't all that interesting.) I'll admit that overall this isn't the most distinctive album, and given that the Wikipedia entry notes that most reviewers compared him (somewhat unfavorably) to Elliott Smith and Nick Drake, for whom we get five albums in this collection, I'm a little puzzled why this was included in the collection.
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.
Maybe doesn't need to be quite as long as it is but there's probably 45 minutes of good, solid stuff here. Very singer-songwriter-y but at the same time richly produced with a nice mix of styles.
I might come back to this lowkey
Another introduction to me. Nothing new or groundbreaking or remarkable. Musically almost in my corner but the unimpressive vocals harm a lot for me.
Really a 3.5 more good than less good songs, some real head spinners, and great lyrics - the closer in particular.
3.5 but rounding down
I like it. Not amazing though. 3 Stars
Genre: Chamber Pop An 18-track semi-slog, featuring lots of copies of 60s and 70s groups that preceded our Badly Drawn Boy: The Beatles, The Zombies, The Moody Blues, etc. It’s not a terrible record, but it’s a bit overlong, and a bit too worried about being pretty rather than being captivating. Interesting listen. 3/5
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.
01) The Shining - 7,5 02) Everybody's Stalking - 8,0 03) Bewilder - / 04) Fall in a River - 7,5 05) Camping Next to Water - 7,5 06) Stone on the Water - 7,5 07) Another Pearl - 7,0 08) Body Rap - / 09) Once Around the Block - 7,0 10) This Song - 7,0 11) Bewilderbeast - 7,5 12) Magic in the Air - 7,0 13) Cause a Rockslide - 7,0 14) Pissing in the Wind - 8,0 15) Blistered Heart - 7,0 16) Disillusion - 7,5 17) Say It Again - 7,0 18) Epitaph - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,31 (73/100) Current ranking: 305/614
Listened this album yesterday and everything is forgotten. Apparently not really good album
Do not like. I find the term "chamber pop" kind of offensive.
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.
3/5
Maybe ran a bit long, but it was enchanting throughout
Really weak sauce.
Good
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.
Boring as hell. Sounds like terraria soundtrack.
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.
I'm unlikely to think of this album again ever
joah, konnt man hören, aber mehr auch nich
Fand Disillusion und Say it again am Ende richtig gut. Ansonsten ganz nett, nichts besonderes.
Only really knew the first song, not a bad album, some really nice moments in it, a long maybe, probably needs a second listen to appreciate it a bit more
I didn't expect to enjoy this, but the reviews made me feel that maybe I was in for a treat. I wasn't in for a treat, and indeed, I did not enjoy this. It hung around far too long, didn't really go anywhere, or do anything. It's definitely not a "pop version of Nick Drake", just a rather dull album that's mainly harmless. 2 stars.
Very melancholic and sad, I love it.
a good indie chamberish album. of course the people on this site, who can’t think beyond the same worn-out lowbrow "classics" like the beatles and queen hate this kind of honest and sincere music
Boring
😏
The Boy's singing is boring. At best, he's a watered down George Harrison. The music is interesting and varied at least, but nothing too exciting here.
Started promising but got kind of boring
Not bad. Just kinda boring. 2.5
This does sound like something you'd buy from a skilled busker.
This is not for me. I get the feeling he wants to be Roy Harper when he grows up.
This was a goddamn roller coaster - listen, as 2000s moody-bloke music it's decent, speaking as someone who was a moody bloke in the 2000s (I got better on both counts), so it was going to get three stars just on vibes. Then Once Around the Block comes on, and seconds in I go "oh, it's THAT song!" and have a nostalgia overload and think... does this get 5 stars for that? Then the very next song attempts to FLOSS MY BRAIN THROUGH MY EARHOLES because I'm wearing headphones, and all goodwill is gone. What do I do here? I'm not lying when I say that, if the album was just Once Around the Block and a voice memo from the band ceding the rest of their time, this would probably get five from me. As it is, i guess three will have to show my complete bafflement at this whole event
I found it too slow
I liked it. But it's way too long, I got bored. It needed to be about 12 tracks instead of 18, cut unnecessary songs. This was not what I was expecting at all after the other songs I've heard from this artist. The piano ballad type form works well for him though.
Well crafted and I appreciate his talent. Not sure what it is but it kind of made no impact and was entirely forgettable. Maybe ill revisit this
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!
No thank you. Trite. Derivative and tedious at brst
interminable indie boy bullshit
Атмосферно. Альбом как саундтрек к какому-то фильму
Okay, not for me. Interesting lyrics.
It's not going to blow your mind away, but apparently, the Badly Drawn Boy is its own genre. I'm not sure how to classify this. It's one of those Pop-Rock-Soul-Folk albums . Favorite Track: "Epitaph".
An album of pure majesty which manages to be so traditional, yet so innovative at the same time. BDB looks like a busker but by god he’d be the best busker there was. Tracks like Once around the block, , Disillusion, Pissing in the wind and the Shining. BDB also made great videos for this album, who can forget him perched on the edge of Joan Collins’s bath
For an album that was only just over an hour long, it seemed to go on forever - and not in a good way. 99% of it sounded the same, to the point where, multiple times, I realised I’d heard two or three different tracks instead of the one I assumed I was still listening to. “Once Around the Block” is the only song I’d heard before, and it is still lovely. I also really liked “Disillusion”, which I’d never heard until this project.
I was so pleased to see this pop up - I bought it on CD when it was released and still listen to it 25 years later. This is such an incredibly accomplished debut album. The instrumentation is beautiful on all these tracks - haunting and gentle and soaring one minute then slightly discordant and off-kilter the next. Personal favourites are Everybody's Stalking, Once Around The Block (the reason I bought the album in the first place), Magic In The Air, Disillusion, and Bewilderbeast is my favourite of the instrumentals. My only real negative is that listening to This Song with good headphones is one of the most discombobulating things ever, as it pans between ears. It's a bit like the audio form of standing on a ferry when the sea is a bit choppy. However, for me this album was always going to be a: 5/5
Oh my god yes yes
This album slaps!
The shins meats modest mouse. 7/10
Finally! A niche 2000s British indie album that isn't completely worthless! There's a lot of those on this list and so far this is one of the best. I can see myself revisiting this one.. Favorite track: Another Pearl
Remember when every album had to be super long? This is from that time period. Don't get me wrong, great stuff on this, but a lot of filler as well. Would have made an excellent 35-40 minute LP.
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.
A handful of good songs, the rest is remarkable.
This one wasn’t for me. I’m not an Indie fan and this bored me. I couldn’t finish it
4.5
Really enjoyed this one, peaceful indie folk
1. Cute, not bad. Enjoyed the ending. 2. Very cool, nice one. Chill rock. Reminds me of the singer from UltraVividScenes 3. Interlú tipo JagermeisterPie... 4. Weird, not memorable. 5. Cheveronga, I guess. Medio X. 6. Thumbs up 7. Catchy pues 8. Zzz 9. Still boring, like SIMS music. 10 y 11... Still boring. 12-MagicInTheAir. Verga se puso ladillita el pana, nada memorable 13. Super boring still. 14. Pissing in the wind. 15 y 16. Sueño, nada que me gustara. 17. Say It Again sí me gustó bastante, catchy. Groovy. Algo de Méjico, no sé. 18. Epitaph me gustó a lot too 2.5 Pocas me gustaron.
It's a pretty decent, inoffensive album. But why is it in the book? It's not that influential (I presume) and isn't a fantastic album that feels like a masterpiece. It's just kinda there.
This is one of the times I really want a 3.5 rating. I liked it quite a bit, but just not enough to justify a 4. Good listen!
Not my thing
Niet gelukt om hem echt even met aandacht te luisteren, maar denk dat ik hem wel goed zou vinden als ik dat wél had gedaan.
I like Cause a Rockslide & Disillusion
Entirely inoffensive, but slightly too long for it's own good. The vocals were a little weak compared to how lush and varied all the instrumentals were. Once Around the Block is the strongest offering here. i think it should get a 3.
Coole Rock-Musik, melodisch, interessante Stimme. Mit Indie-Anteilen. 4/5
3.8
Music was too slow for my current mood. Lyrics were well done.
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.
I used to love this album and I've very pleased to hear that it still sounds incredibly fresh 25 years later. Badly Drawn Boy shows how you can make a very chill album without any hint of ever being boring. Every one of the 18 tracks is completely different and a unique story that flows into the next. It's a a quilt created out of old memories. The whole is very comforting but each square has a lot happening. It's just a fantastic album.
9/10… chamber pop
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
felt the vibe in the moment. might change by grade later
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.
There are a couple songs here that sound like they should be in a 2000s indie movie, but overall this feels like it's a victim of it's length and would do better to be shorter with more focus on individual songs as opposed to adding more songs that sound similar to each other.
***An ok album
Like the ghost of Nick Drake joined Wilco.
This was fine, but I wouldn't listen to it again.
3.5/5
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.
the cover art: walter wick’s vitruvian man the music: pretty flavorless indie pop deserves to be one of the 1001? no
Sometimes the intense early 2000s-ness of this publication really jumps out, I've never heard anyone talk about Badly Drawn Boy. I only know a couple of his songs and expected this to be boring, but it did actually have more variety and depth of sound than I expected, while simultaneously never "wowing" me. Disillusion is pretty great at least.
Eines dieser vielen Alben von Menschen, von denen man noch nie etwas gehört hat, die etwa 2000 rauskamen. Das war aber eins der besseren, war nicht so schlimm wie ich es erwartet habe.
#591. What is the context in which people heard and/or liked this? It wasn't played on the radio. I've certainly never heard anyone mention this band even a single time in my life. How did they get to be on a list like this in the first place? It's not like the music itself is super mind blowing or anything, it's just... there. 3/5: I guess
Funny, eclectic, sometimes fragile beauty. reminds me of Elliott Smith, with more instruments here and there.
It was fine and it was too long.
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.
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
I like it. Would I say I needed to hear it before I died? No. Slightly too long
I had to ride my bike for an hour to work this morning in the pouring rain. I Put on Full rain gear and an extra sweater to be warm and left a little early so I wouldn't have to rush and get all sweaty in the waterproof cover. This album was absolutely perfect for that nearly hour long leisurely bike ride in the rain.
Out of all of the countless no-name 1997-2003 UK Indie bands this one is the most okay-est. I wish it was shorter, but it at least has a little bit originality and a unique sound. I still don't think it really deserves a spot on this list but, it isn't a bad album. Mid 3.
Not really my kinda thing, but I feel like it could maybe grow on me.
I‘m just a hippie.
quite interesting but also pretty boring. it could’ve been shortened down a bit.
Nice, easy going album. 6/10
It was lovely but I don’t think it’s a need to listen. I did enjoy it on my drive though
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
Excellent
Not bad. Didn't know what to expect, but this was fine.
Genre classic. No notes.
The Shining Stone on the Water Once Around the Block Disillusion
Good album. Haven’t listened to it before but have heard of Badly Drawn Boy. I rather enjoyed it.
Pues sí, este es tan necesario como minoritario. Sigue la estela de Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley, Elliot Smith (que publicó ese mismo año el magnífico Figure 8)... y también de su ídolo Springsteen. Este debut tuvo muy buena y merecida crítica, además es de su época con otra buena banda como son Doves. Es un disco, sin estridencias, suave y ligero, muy parecido en la forma de cantar a Elliot Smith, menos acústico pero igual de bueno. Tampoco es que sea el mejor del año, ni de la década ni nada parecido. Yo por ejemplo de ese mismo año prefiero antes otros y en su estilo me gustan mucho más Sufjan Stevens por ejemplo. En el comienzo de siglo este y otros buenos discos (debuts de Godspeed you black emperor!, Sigur Ros, Coldplay y Avalanches, Nixon de Lambchop, el de PJ Harvey, el Jayhwaks, el de Calexico...) este estuvo arriba y ahí sigue. Discos del 2000: COLDPLAY- Parachutes, PJ HARVEY - Stories from the city, stories from the sea, YO LA TENGO - And then nothing turned itself inside-out, THE JAYHAWKS - Smile, EELS - Daisies of the galaxy, THE WATERBOYS - A rock in the weary land, ELLIOTT SMITH - Figure 8, RADIOHEAD-Kid A , U2-All that you can't leave behind, MADONNA-Music , QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE-Rated R , Dakota Suite- Signal Hill, Lambchop- Nixon, David Gray- White Ladder, Mojave 3- Excuses for travellers, Piano Magic -Artists´ Rifles, D'Angelo- Voodoo, Primal Scream- XTRMNTR, Goldfrapp- Felt Mountain, Death Cab for Cutie- We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes, Doves- Lost Souls, Black Box Recorder- The facts of life, Calexico- Hot Rail, Ágætis Byrjun (Sigur Ros), The Sophtware Slump (Grandaddy), The Marshall Mathers (Eminem), Skantonia (Outkast), Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven (Godspeed you black emperor!), Since i left you (The Avalanches), The Noise Made by People (Broadcast), The great eastern (The Delgados), The Friends of Rachel Worth (The Go-Betweens), Tourist (St. Germain), Community Music (Asian Dub Foundation), Chore of Enchantment (Giant Sand) y otro monumento en forma de triple álbum como es 69 lovesongs (The Magnetic fields). Hasta Born to Do It de Craig David o A Grand Don't Come for Free de The Streets).
Oh boy, not for me. Some nice tunes, a bit longer thought.
For me, indie music is more on the miss side of the hit-or-miss dichotomy. But this debut album by Badly Drawn Boy was different and engaging. The Hour of Bewilderbeast wasn't pretentious or over-the-top like Coldplay and had strong instrumental sections--I loved when those horns hit. All that being said, what I'm left with is that it takes a certain kind of musician to write a song with a title like "Pissing in the Wind".
I had never heard of this album or this band, and went in pretty skeptical. It wasn't necessarily project-worthy in my opinion, but it wasn't bad either. All around, just pretty average. I will say that some interesting instrumentations kept it from being a dull album; I was at least interested.
Big nope for me. I’m bewildered at how this made the list.
Just the title alone is a dead giveaway that this guy is taking himself too seriously.
Not a bad album, but it really didn't have much cohesion or direction for its runtime. It jumped around stylistically so much that it really didn't have much of a personality. Elliot Smith and the Microphones have a very similar feel with a more refined sound. 3/5
## 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.
When I started playing the first song I thought oh, I think I’m really going to like this. What a neat sound. But several songs in and still nothing was really happening. It was pleasant, but kind of boring. I think it had a lot of potential, but never really got there. And why do artists insist on making albums that are an hour or more long?? Forty-five minutes is sufficient to get your point across, thank you.
I appreciate the variety of songs, but also made me extremely sleepy. Need to go listen to dubstep or something to wake up now.
Reminded me of Elliot Smith with the slightly fuzzy vocals and simple strumming. I preferred this one but it was a long listen without any songs that really grabbed me
I liked it. Kind of slow and one note but I got it on a rainy day so I didn’t mind. I enjoyed the variety of instruments, but kind of found myself losing focus at parts.
This album was fine. I even enjoyed it. I just don't understand the inclusion on this list. In fact, I just checked, and it's already been removed. Oh well. It was a fine listen, but in no way affected my preparation for eternity. Finally, I want to remove a star for the cover, but that's just petty (so I won't).
Not heard of this before, but I like it! Mellow, but fairly interesting, a good mix of vibes, but just also very charming. Definitely some new songs to add here.
I’ve never listened to this band
This is a tricky one. It was varied enough to remain interesting all the way through but nothing really truly jumped out at me and the guys voice is not that strong. I’m balancing out to a 3.
Strange in a good way
Neither bad, neither good
Firecamp album
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.
I had heard one other Badly Drawn Boy album. This one sounded cool, but was kinda too all over the place for me and too long. Still fun to listen to something new.
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.
Always loved the first track: 'The Shining' but never heard the rest of the album before. Turns out I didn't miss anything.
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.
Meh, a lot of songs that sound the same.
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.
A bit sleepy, but overall inoffensive. Not far from my tastes when I was in my 20s in the 00s-10s. I know I gave this guy a listen back then too, but never really gelled with me.
Even the artist himself sounds completely bored just performing these songs. Drab, unimaginative and pointless are the three words that spring to mind. About as sparkling and interesting as a slug on mogadon. Please can someone explain not only why this album is in this list, but why it was ever made at all?
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.
It’s okay. Mostly it’s kinda boring and a little twee. But he really tried to do something. He knows how to write music. And it’s all nicely made. I’m just not the target audience. It is cute, though.
Oh I like this. A Britpop Nick Drake vibe.
I found this album to be really interesting. The artist manages to genre-hop while still creating an album that feels like one cohesive piece of art. I wouldn’t say there was anything that was spectacular, nothing ground breaking, but I’m okay with that. It’s a solid, beautifully written album that I will definitely revisit. Once Around the Block and Disillusion were both added to my liked list. It’s a high 3, not quite a 4.