The Hour Of Bewilderbeast

This is tedious except the single. That's pretty good.

Nope.Nope. 1/5, 1/10

Okay. Here's the thing with all of these early 2000s British indie albums that keep showing up on this list for some reason. This album here is a perfect representation of these sorts of things. Would I say that an album like this is one that you should not ever listen to? No. Not at all. While I feel more negative towards other albums of this nature, The Hour of Bewilderbeast is not what I would consider a bad album. But would I say that this album is one you should listen to before you die? Nah. If you like this sort of music, I guess I might recommend this album, but that's really the only case in which I'd do that. This album is not an essential listen in any capacity. What does this album provide that something like a Radiohead or Elliott Smith album doesn't? But what makes those artists stand out above someone like Badly Drawn Boy? (stupid project name btw) Well, I think it's the songwriting. Sure. This album has some pretty strong instrumentation, and the vocals aren't any more annoying than that of someone like Elliott Smith or Thom Yorke, which is to say that they're not annoying. However, those bands have deep songwriting that really touches the soul. I don't think this album has that. The songwriting does its job, but there really aren't any lines that stick out to me. I would say that this album just goes in one ear and out the other, but the album's too long to allow that to happen. I guess what I'd say is that this is a good album that doesn't do anything particularly poorly, but is not excellent in any capacity, nor does it really touch upon the subtler aspects of music. A real jack of the basics, master of nothing situation. It's fine, but not spectacular. 3/5.

5/10

eccentric one, Once Around the Block is neat but other than that its not my favorite, maybe interesting for its time though

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.

Rating: 3/5 | Favorite Track: Camping Next to Water --- A couple of pretty good songs in a pretty forgettable album. I found this album to be far too long and lacked a lot of forward momentum making listening to this to be a dull experience. Overall, it's just fine.

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

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

I liked this a bit more than I expected. I never really liked the jazz pop hit but the album overall has a woozy messiness I can appreciate. However, I still think his greatest contribution to music is the time Mark E Smith from The Fall decided he was a taxi driver and forced him to drive him home. The next morning BDB found Mark's dentures on his back seat and dutifully returned them. You know people were already saying MES was unintelligible but can you imagine....

I forgot Badly Drawn Boy existed and that may be for the best I always thought this was boring and pretentiously unoriginal and now you can add dated and aged like milk

Bland, unexceptional, unmemorable. Meh at best.

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

Nahhhhh i'm good

Dit is letterlijk muziek die op de achtergrond van een of andere matige hipsterkoffietent gedraaid zouden worden. Ik ruik de veel te dure matcha en koffie gewoon al, standaard optie is natuurlijk havermelk! De cover van het album is eigenlijk veel heftiger dan de muziek, best funny hoe erg dat je verwachtingen kan beinvloeden. Pff, ja dit is echt een taai album om doorheen te komen. Dit voelt als zulke ontzettende nietszeggende muziek. En zeikerig, en je weet ondertussen; als ik iets zeikerig vind dan word het geen hoog cijfer(Shout-out de zanger van Radiohead) En dat is hier ook gewoon het geval, een album van ruim een uur waar iemand in mn oor aan het zeiken is... Ik word daar gewoon echt niet gelukkig van. Had ik dit moeten luisteren voor ik dood ga? Echt waar? Ik denk dat ik dit echt prima had kunnen missen. De beste man komt weg met 2 sterren, puur omdat ik me irriteer maar ik het ook weer niet zo dramatisch vind. Het is gewoon agressief meh. Mensen die hier wild van worden zullen vast ook wild worden van Knorr Wereldgerechten, dat is een beetje hetzelfde level aan spice. Misschien is dit ook gewoon echt niet mijn genre. Kan ook natuurlijk. NEXT. FAVO: Bewilderbeast, Disillusion

I thought this was going to be heavy metal. It wasn’t bad. It had some good grooves, but I don’t understand what makes it so special.

Pleasant

This was different-ish. It was another alt British album that just don’t really do much for me. Just very boring tbh

Bit long. 20 mins too long Disillusion is very enjoyable. Everything is decent, but that song stands out. Some of the album sounds like a British elliot smith, some doesn't.

I really liked this. Will listen to again

Good stuff. How did I not discover this in the 90's? I was the right age and listening to music. Dang it.

Ce piace

Elliott smith 2.0 una piacevole scoperta e nonostante tutto riesce ad avere un suo sound

Reminded me of a mix of Ben Folds and Death Cab for Cutie. The musical style ranges throughout this album. I didn't listen to the lyrics but enjoyed it in the background.

I thought the music was extremely forgettable

Another indie project I really like , that’s def been a new development form me in this project as well Hour of bewilderbeast is experimental and messy but it works , it comes together and creates a coherent and beautiful atmosphere

For some reason, probably because of the name, I always thought Badly Drawn Boy was some sort of forgettable indie twee or emo from the 2000’s. Turns out it’s an arresting piece of art from a singer/songwriter, with gorgeous and idiosyncratic instrumentation and interesting lyrics. It will reward future close listens

I feel like i have to listen to a lot of these albums multiple times before i pass judgement lol. This album was popular with a friend of mine way back in 2003 and i never got into it. Listening to this the second time in 2 days i still cant but i really enjoy it when i focus on it!

Not for me

I don't see what all the fuss is about. Quite pleasant, but slightly boring and I can't imagine going to see them live.

Most of the album is fine but I am begging British artists in particular to find some brevity in these types of projects

Enjoyable but not really essential

Actually pissed me off

Charming, pleasant indie rock.

Good musics to cook to.

Hot garbage!

Pleasant

Pretty good!

I am in LOVE wow, so beautiful and I had no clue this existed Luv the vocals Favs: The shining Everybody’s stalking Camping next to water Stone on the water Once around the block - standout fav ! Bewilder beast Cause a rockslide

unique vibe that grows tiring pretty quickly.artistic and chill, but not enough to make it more than a 3

I spent most of this wondering why I was convinced this was going to be early & bad hip hop - was it that weird album cover? About an hour in it hit me, I must have been thinking of the beastie boys. And that was the most eventful part of listening to this album.

its a pretty decent serving of indie rock but doesnt really stand out so much to me. I had it playing in the background and didnt notice it had ended, and couldnt recall any particular song. Not bad by any means, their peers are better.

Very “Shins”y. I liked it but forgot it almost immediately

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

In no way did I need to listen to this 2000s mid white dude music before I died. Whose lane is this in? BORING.

Just some indie bullshit (lots of xylophones/accordions/plucked electric guitars on some folk rock songwriting) but there are some decent tracks on here. I like the opener and the string arrangements, I like the jazzy feel of the once around the block. the lo fi acoustic/indie rock aestheics on this song, bewilder, and fall in the river. Magic in the Air has an Andrew Bird vibe to it and these lush arrangements with a beautiful piano ballad. I think I'd rather listen to Wilco for an indie rock/alt rock/singer songwriter vibe but definitely some noteworthy things on this one.

This is the absolute definition of generic. 2.5 stars

I enjoy several Badly Drawn Boy from various albums, including this one. But as a full work, I simply didn't find it very engaging. I do get the concept and it is an good one, but it just drags on for too long without enough variation to keep it interesting throughout. Key tracks: Once Around the Block

Ну это довольно неплохо. Но я ничего не помню и переслушивать это не хочу.

2.5

Actually enjoyed this more than first anticipated

Kinda boring, no?

Decidedly meh

Just the sort of derivative drivel I expect from a Mancunian.

😐

Solo poprock, indie, multiinstumentalist

Great songwriting and unique and interesting arrangements and aural landscapes. I need to spend more time with album. Love it.

Okay.

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.

You open an album with a French horn interlude and you've sold me

ho-hum

This album it feels like home. It doesn’t feel like individual songs as much as a piece of music that is supposed to be heard all together. I really like the range of instruments and sounds used throughout. Like an indie symphony. “I’m not broke so please don’t mend me” “There’s no use feeling all the things I’m feeling. There’s no one here to feel with me.” “Please don’t leave me wanting more I hope you never die There’s no need to say more Just promise that you’ll try” Favourite song: Epitaph

This was an okay listen. Nothing bad but nothing memorable. Good melodies though.

An unfortunate indictment of this albums lack of impact is the songs that Spotify played in the queue after the album ended. All of those songs were similar, but packed more of a punch than most of what can be heard here. Now, Hour of Bewilderbeast isn’t bad! Just…too hazy. I’d be more prone to enjoy this album outside the context of 1000 albums I should listen to. A few good moments on here are the opening track, “Once Around the Block”, and my pick from the whole record, “Blistered Heart”, which is full of vulnerable moments and a nice guitar melody. I don’t fault this album for anything, and could hear it accompanying a Gilmore girls style show, but I am left wishing for more substance and impact. Strong 2 stars.

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.

furry music

Обычная альтернатива

3.5, need to revisit. Like the writing, arrangements, and production

This feels like the perfect sunday morning album to get, timing of the random generator really worked on that part. A nice soft and mellow folky album to listen to. Disillusion was a very nice and groovy track. The album is a bit dull and boring at times though and the runtime is a bit too long, victim of the CD era.

So so

Älskar introt med cello och trumpet (eller är det trombon?)! Överlag en mycket positiv överraskning! Jag tror jag hört talas om Badly Drawn Boy någon gång men kan inte minnas att jag hört några låtar men det kanske jag har. Detta är tydligen debutalbumet vilket gör det än mer imponerande! Påminner lite om Sufjan Stevens på vissa sätt, som jag ju älskar. Kommer absolut lyssna mer på detta och utforska hans diskografi! 4 av 5

I have a rule of thumb that says by the time a pop musician starts using strings, they've run out of ideas and it is all over. Here we have the first track of his first album starting off with a cello... Oh. I guess there's always the "exception proves the rule" thing. Let's hope so. OK. 5 tracks in. Plenty of ideas on display so this can be "the exception". Problem is, I am not sure I like many of the ideas. The album is certainly "interesting". Lyrically good, musically entertaining at times. At other times just jarring. With a different vocalist this would be a lot better. I'm reminded of "Tubular Bells". No, not the style of music but in the sense of a new artist trying to prove "how clever" they are. This pulls it off better. I'm going to give this 3/5 which is my "OK" rating, but I have no particular desire to own it or listen to it again.

Thoughts before listening: I once told some British girls that I met at backpacker hostel in Peru that I was into Badly Drawn Boy to try and impress them. They didn't care. For some reason I thought this was like the epitome of cool British 90s music. I thought I had already listened to this album, but I was apparently thinking of Super Furry Animals. Review: Well I don't recognize any of these songs so I guess I was full of it with those British girls (maybe I told them I was into Super Furry Animals instead...who can really remember?). There are some really nice moments on this album albeit with 18 tracks there is some unnecessary filler as well. The sound on this is mostly folky pop rock with some orchestral flourishes added from time to time. "Everybody's Stalking", "Camping Next to Water", "Once Around the Block", "Disillusion", and "Stone on the Water" are my favorite songs. 4-stars

If I heard each of these songs separately I would highly enjoy them. But as a whole it became really blah and long. At times I didn't even realize we had moved on to a new song.

After one listen I wasn't sure what I just heard. Definitely had to give this one a deeper listen. It's pretty good. Grew on me after a few listens. My favorites: Everybody's Stalking, Another Pearl, Bewilderbeast (cool instrumental!), Say it Again (Horns! YES!). There's a few short songs on here that are more like filler (Bewilder & Body Rap) They seemed extraneous. Blistered Heart is a short little instrumental but it's pretty good. Not every instrumental needs to be a 5 - 7 minute long jam session. Cause A Rockslide pisses me off. They start off that song SO GOOD! It rocks in such a grooving way with these cool delicate guitar lines set against a steady distant thundering beat.... Then halfway through the song it's like somebody's fucking with the radio dial and it falls apart into some kind of synth in space hypno thing and then let's just throw in some backward vocals (of course) and tack on a totally unrelated acoustic thing at the end. WTF?! They ruined an otherwise good song, lol. Epitah was a tender little song but the overuse of chirping birds was kind of annoying and not that creative. I'm imagining him singing it in an aviary.

This guy clearly worships at the altar of Elliott Smith, whom I consider to be the wet dream of scruffy white hetero hipster men. There’s a lot to like here. His songs are good, interesting and full of variety, but his voice never truly wavers from the very limited range of Elliott Smith apathy. I doubt I could ever fall in love with this album because I don’t feel like his music is meant for me personally, but overall it is a lovely contribution to the world.

This was a nice listen. Super chill vibes. I like P'ing in the Wind, Disillusion and Say it Again. The variety in sound was creative and refreshing, and I'm impressed he wrote, produced, and did a lot of the instrumentation on this. Quality production overall!

Hmm kind of a cool name for an album. I have no idea what to expect here. I didn't finish listening it was not really my bag :/ sorry dude

I’m starting to think there really aren’t 1001 albums one needs to listen to before they die. Maybe just like 300 or so because this list has quite a bit of filler. Do I think this is filler? Yes. But did I enjoy it? For the most part. Some of the songs gave me Velvet Underground vibes, which I quite liked, and there was some weird for weird sake that I also liked. This album was definitely dull at times, but I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I might. Music from the 2000s on this list seems very hit or miss, and this is one of the few ones that rests nicely in the middle.

Not a fan of folk songwriters. But easy listen.

Bin verwirrt. Wilde Mischung. Da waren zwar schöne Songs bei aber all in all nicht abgeholt.

I forgot how good this is. Magic in the air, the shinning.

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

Actually kinda noice cool music videos

..

Badly Drawn Boy your album was perfectly crafted bravo!

This was cool and ud like to return to it. Kinda scatterbrained today so I don't think it got a fair shot.

This guy was included on all kinds of up and coming artists and compilation cd's at the time. They were pushing him hard! This album is pleasant and entirely listenable but it's kinda boring. Nothing groundbreaking with the music and certainly not the vocals. It felt like one long song with slight variations over the course of an hour, but I was bewildered at the end. "Disillusion", saved until way too late, was the best track and the only lively song on the album. Maybe he's a great songwriter and I'm just not aware of his brilliance. No hits, no radio play, nothing cutting edge, nothing super memorable. Like I said I enjoyed it but I'll never listen to it again. That's not Top 1001 material to me. 2 stars for being good background music.

Good to rediscover. I knew I was a little bit cool as a 13 y/o.

This one wanders all over the place. Some Death Cab vibes here and there, but much more varied than them.

Blind album and artist. Not my cup of tea really but was interesting having a more quirky folk type album here.

i can see why some may find this boring. but i’m too nick drake-pilled to find this boring. this is awesome to me

I kind of liked this, it was a bit dour and sad, but not bad

Nice and easy listen, but nothing memorable 3/5

I see nothing memorable or special about this album to warrant it’s place on this list

Pretty good but also kinda boring at the same time?

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.

Badly

I didn't understand all the hype when this came out, it wasn't unpleasant but was rather underwhelming. 25 years on and without the hype I still feel the same. A quaint historical sideline, not sure that's enough to earn it's place on this list

Catchy pop rhythms from a tender, sensitive place. I know this got overplayed quite heavily on the radio, so a fair few people dislike it, but I do enjoy this. Is it a bit too nice in that Coldplay kind of way? Perhaps. Did I hum along? I did. Three and a half stars.

Just another ex-1001 album!™ http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex Felt like an odd album, nothing seemed to happen, still I nodded along with it, then forgot about it.

Ooh is that cello? I want to believe. Mmm, nice but a bit too mellow. Ok, the second song is better. It was alright, not my cup of tea generally, but not abrasive.

There was a period of time when I feel like indie music tried too hard to be deep and beautiful, and lost a bit of what makes music fun and enjoyable. Not a bad album, but nothing about it is making me want to listen again.

Not much my type of music. Hear lots of indie and straight-ahead pop influence.

Holy shit. Bad. 2 stars for the only good song Disillusion.

Cheeks 1.5

The album and band were completely unknown to me. When I heard the first track, I thought it might be quite interesting. In between, however, I found the music a bit boring. But then it was very pleasant. In the end, I enjoyed listening to the album, but I probably won't listen to it again any time soon. But who knows? 4/5

I loved this album. If even a handful of tracks were as amazing as The Shining, I would give it a five. Unfortunately the other tracks were all good/great, but not amazing. So while I am giving it a four, I was a feeling little let down after finishing.

Really solid brit pop/rock. Sprawling, experimental at times. I'm always surprised by the number of instrumental interludes.

This album was pure magic when a friend lent it to me freshman year of high school. Back then, finding music that wasn’t on local radio stations was kind of like getting your ice cubes from the South Pole, and it was no small thing to know about a great record that no one else did. I was curious if the same magic would be there when I listened to it as a much less open-minded middle aged man with a mortgage and lower back pain. I gotta say, this gave me the same tingles that it did back then. I think it’s incredibly successful for something trying to be really original. Not sure if I’d be able to get into it if I heard it for the first time today, but the only surprise on this listen was how many great songs are crammed into one album.

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

Meh vocals over okay music. Forgettable and long

My dad and I have a bit where we’ve been calling a Channel 4 weatherman Badly Drawn Boy (for a reason totally lost to either of us) for the last 15 years. So naturally I’m already fond of this. Favourite Track: Another Pearl, Once Around the Block Least Fav Track: This Song

Cool album and I appreciated the sound! Various instruments and piano was dope on a few tracks. Not as upbeat as I'd like but I may listen to it again.

Not super familiar with this band, but I dig this album. It definitely reminds me of a lot of other late 90s /early 2000s acts, but its not a bad thing. I don't think I'd like to talk to anyone about this band. I bet the fans are irritating as fuck.

More British pop/rock! This list is loaded with it. It's fine for the most part, but if we're really talking about albums we must hear before we die, I don't think these late 90's, early 2000's British groups are what are meant to hear. There are a ton of better options. Oh well, on we go. This is a group I've never heard of before, and I have to say, I was mildly impressed with their album here. It's not outstanding, drop-dead, MUST listen to, but it's pleasant enough. A lot of weird, force fed commercial-like, "we need to sound trippy!" tracks on it. I don't get it, that was played out in the 90's, dudes. 3/5

It’s interesting enough, but won’t be something I’ll go back to.

I actually quite enjoyed it. Once around the block is a really nice song. Fuck it, 4

interestong album

Originally, this album was gonna get 1 star, just because you can’t give it 0. But in between the Beck like singing, there are cool instrumentals that give you a break from his boring voice. Bewilder leads into Fall in a River, which actually sounds like they threw a mic into a river, so that was kinda cool. Then, This Song has some neat production trick that makes your ears itch, followed by Bewilderbeast, another vocal less break from the plain singing. 1001 album worthy: Sure - 27/46

Really enjoyed, at first I was a bit put off by the ‘amateurish’ vocals, but I now think that’s what makes it so good. I love the acoustic bits, the experimental and rockier bits, no complaints whatsoever. Favourite songs: first 2, camping next to water(especially this one), body rap and the last 2. Overall around 8/10 (I so want to say 9 but barely not quite)

Classic 90’s Brit pop

Badly Drawn Boy has a really great knack for crafting sweet-sounding pop melodies, but I can’t help but feel something is lacking. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I don’t know if there is a certain inherent inauthenticity or something along those lines that just isn’t ringing true. While the musicality is expressing true feeling, the vocal delivery is telling a different story. Several of the songs verge into twee territory because of how sugary sweet they are. Also, the way he jumps between genres, while interesting, adds to the overall lack of conviction I’m sensing. There’s also unnecessary reverb on his vocals on most of the songs that even furthers the feeling of distance. Some of it is very Sufjan Stevens-esque. I’m quite torn on a rating here. 3.5/5

I really enjoyed this album. I saw Badly Drawn Boy support Squeeze in November and meant to listen to this album the day after that and never got round to it. I am glad I did today. There are some lovely melodies and pop songs on this album. Favourite song: The Shinning is a lovely song, and I really enjoyed once around the block. Least favourite: I enjoyed all the tracks on the album. Album artwork: Cool cover

Not unpleasant to listen to, but for me no memorable song or riff. Not a bad choice for some background music on a lazy weekend day...

A bit better than I expected. Some diverse tracks.

Mellow vibe. Pretty calm overall sound which meant it never drew my ears fully in, but it was a nice easy listen for my work day. 3.5

Dead bro Ich möcht legit Mal wieder ein gutes album Pixies hat wenigstens noch Spaß gemacht

Nette Texte. Insgesamt in Ordnung.

I tried, I honestly tried.

Another option for sullen, sad-sack, "nobody understands me"-type teenagers after they have worn out their Elliot Smith records.

I'm a sucker for this brand of wimpy indie music. Could definitely benefit from some editing. 20 minutes less would do a lot.

Like Fun Loving Criminals/Come Find Yourself, which was so rock-heavy at the top, this kept morphing stylisticly. I find it somewhat disorienting and counterproductive to the album format—but who really cares when the songs are good. ✅✅ Once Around the Block ✅✅✅ Cause a Rockslide

Mostly enjoyed this, nice lyrics and very melodic vocals. Uses a variety of styles without losing cohesion and he sounds a bit like Elliott Smith which I consider a plus I'd give it a 4 but it's a fair amount of filler too. Cut some of the chaff and I'd give an extra star, but I'd listen to some of these tracks again for sure

To start an debut album in 2000 with a cello and a horn was a bold move.

I enjoyed it more than I should have. But it worked for me on a lazy winter day when the sun didn’t come up. 3.5

i tend to underrate early-2000s indie folk stuff but something about this works for me. absolutely devastating album art though

Was very surprised by this album. It was peaceful, yet really fun to listen to. Expanded the party by listening to some of their other albums afterward.

I was pleasantly surprised by this album. I had heard of the group, but thought it was an EMO or pop/punk band. I really, really liked these songs. Great voice, instruments, lyrics…..overall a super enjoyable album. I will listen again and dive into his catalogue.

Not bad! I think I need to give it another listen and go from there, but gut says 3/5 atm

4.4

this is uh not great. some songs had a nice groove, but overall found it pretty bland.

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.

I love Badly Drawn Boy-discovered him 20 sthg yrs ago when he did the soundtrack for About a Boy (2000) and it was the film opener for the 1st edition for the Tribeca Film Festival (I worked on that for a couple of yrs, so fun). I love Damon Gough's voice and his instrumental skills - he plays like 9 instruments and song arrangements, just lovely. I have a few of his records, this one is fab, I love it

I do like a little orchestral folk-pop to add flavor and depth. I wasn't sure about his raw voice at points, but it clicked on Epitaph for me. It's such an honest song. Thinking back to 2000, his style reflects the time...its rawness and innocence.

I don't know. It's so not bad. At all. Unequivocally. But then what. It's of a moment like the Electric Prices are of a moment. But do I want to go to that moment. That's really the hang up. But I really don't know.

I like this

The Hour Of Bewilderbeast is what i expected from an album that's at least 1 hour long. Basically, its an album that has it's really high highs but also has it's really low lows too. Typically, the songs were of the high variety with them often having an Elliott Smith like sound with a lot of it's strengths and as someone who likes his stuff, it's a major plus. But in some cases, there were songs that were annoying or just tried things that clearly didn't work and even some of the good songs could go off the rails when it was completely unnecessary. This is a good album but it's flaws do hold it back from greatness. Best Song: Another Pearl Worst Song: This Song

Hey, uh more like. boredly drawn boy. They should call him uh.. badly snore boy right amirite Maybe. He. Maybe he could be. Oh fuck it.

I have never heard this before and it's different from anything I've listened to. Sort of hard to describe but it's pretty chilled out and easy to listen to. A lot of nice music with a lot going on. Great to listen to while working or relaxing. I will probably listen to this again when a chill mood strikes me.

Another hard one to scores - sound really nice and many songs are cleverly done. I love the acoustic instrumentation (an album with cello automatically gets bumped one point from me). So then why is this hard to score? For some reason I don't really connect, it does me nothing, and it'd be background music only. However I have the Kinks a generous 3 yesterday, and feel this should definitely be more. A 4 then.

I've listened to the About a Boy soundtrack, so I'm familiar, but haven't heard this one. He makes very soothing music. But there's a lot of other albums I'd think of first when I need something chill, and there weren't really any songs that stood out to me on this. Still, I can understand why others may love it. But I'd choose something like Carrie & Lowell to be on this list in its place.

Probably the most mediocre thing I've listened to on this list so far.

This album sounded like if Elliott Smith, Alex G, Neutral Milk Hotel, Fleet Foxes, Beck, and Oasis wanted to make a soundtrack for a Wes Anderson movie together.

For what it is, it's really good. It's kind of folksy, kind of rocky, with a bit of navel-gazing mixed in. It has some interesting sounds and the vocals just fit perfectly with the music and style. It's really difficult to score, because I don't know if it's a home run 4 stars, but it's far better than a "meh, it's fine" 3 stars. I'm giving it 4 because I really liked it, acknowledging that at the end of this project this one may look a bit of an outsider.

It's never a good sign when I see an album pop and my immediate gut reaction is "Who the hell is this guy?" Now, that's never a reaction I **want** to have, y'know? I feel like I'm just immediately dismissing an artist out of hand just because I'm not aware of them. 'Coz I know, there's so much great music in the world that comes from people you've never heard of. And I feel like that's kind of half the purpose of a book like this; to place some light on more obscure releases by putting them right alongside more famous albums. Sure, it could also be the result of just needing to fill space, 'coz let's not forget that 1,001 albums is a **lot** of albums, but I choose to believe that there's more than that. And it's not like this album doesn't have any credentials; it **did** win the Mercury Award in 2000. There's a bunch of albums on here who've also won that award, and I've even agreed with some of those wins. Even if I, or most people, haven't ever heard of it, clearly there's **something** that resonated with enough people, y'know? I don't get it. I tried — I really did — but I don't get it. I mean, OK, sure, it's baroque indie folk. It's catnip to critics who wanna have big, important, refined tastes in music. I won't say I really dislike it; there's a few melodies around here I really enjoy. But as a complete experience, it's just... Honestly, it's kind of really boring. All the songs just mush into each other, and none of them are engaging enough to where I'd wanna try telling them apart. This boy, badly drawn as he is, just plonks away on his guitar for an hour. Sometimes there's chimes or whatever; sometimes there's strings... Whatever. I can't bring myself to care. And I promise you, it's not because I don't know who he is; it's not a knock against critics for "snobby taste"; and it's not even a dig at the book's writer for his tendency towards including nondescript British albums. There's songs I like in this style, but for an hour, and across eighteen songs? No, not really. I wanted to be generous with this album and give it a 3 at least, 'coz, again, there's melodies I like, and I do honestly dig the song "Disillusion". But I can't give the whole thing a pass just because I liked one song and some spare change. The whole thing honestly feels like a 2 to me. Big "ehhh" energy. I can't be surprised that this is one of the albums that got tossed out of later editions of the book in favor of newer entries. I'unno. Maybe draw your boy better next time. And, seriously, PARACHUTES by Coldplay lost to this? Goodness, if this ain't another Mercury Award winner I disagree with...

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.

Once around the block

I really enjoyed this album. Good Melodie’s. I would have really loved this in the 90’s.

Perfectly pleasant. Is it essential? Probably not. 3/5

Based on the album cover and information provided by the challenge site and some reviews, I was expecting to loathe this album, but it’s not bad. The singing is fine and the music inoffensive. As an album being listened to during breakfast, it fit the mood. I wouldn’t go back and listen again, but it was cool checking out once.

Very unimpressed.

Me gustaron mucho dos canciones, pero en general no conecté con su onda folk, me terminó hartando un poco.

It was okay, didn't move me but I didn't mind it while it was playing in the background

Very 90s. Not bad.

Real pleasant and interesting

A solidly inoffensive indie rock experience

Rock bien de los 2000s, tiene cosas buenas pero medio básico y choto.

Albumi #110, 15.11.2024 Badly Drawn Boy ei ollut aikaisemmin tuttu artisti. The Hour of Bewilderbeast on hänen esikoisalbuminsa vuodelta 2000. Musiikkityyli on folkahtavaa indiepoppia. Levyn materiaali ei sinänsä sisällä kovinkaan tarttuvia koukkuja. Melko tasapaksu esitys.

Very pleasant. I didn't know what to expect, but with the name 'Badly Drawn Boy' I imagined it was conflated with band names like 'Bad Brains' or 'Fallout Boy' or 'My Chemical Romance' or 'Bullet For My Valentine' or ... pretentious word salad. It turns out Damon Gough has a sense for intimate and earnestly sublime compositions, thankfully nothing to do with the band 'Sublime'.

It should be illegal for albums this boring and dreadful to be this long. I got the picture by about the third song, it could have ended there, though I'd still give this a 1. This is Elliot Smith for people who like watching paint dry. Bland, uneventful, uninspiring, dull, and soulless - half of the reason I hate this shit is the guys one tone singing voice throughout the whole album, making every song sound the same. The only redeeming factor of this record is the really shitty artwork that looks like a kids scrapbook version of Exodia the Forbidden One from Yugioh lmfao.

You could bottle this album and sell it at Chemist Warehouse as sleeping medicine. In terms of the instrumentation it's not the worst thing ever, definitely leans towards rock more than the pop side from what genre labels are attributed to this. In spite of what I would have to imagine is a mostly independent and very passionate project from the creator, he sounds like he is checking his watch throughout a majority of the very stretched runtime. Coming in at 1 hour there are some albums which have taken more of my time but this one was definitely up there in terms of feeling long just from the monotony of it all.

Favourites Everybody's Stalking, another pearl, Bewilderbeast Disliked The Shining, cause a rockslide Lots of variety, a bit hit or miss. Overall not my thing but there were a few tracks in on the album I did quite enjoy.

Instrumentally interesting music with boring vocals that do absolutely nothing for me personally. Perhaps I would have more to say about this if I liked this genre, but this album for all its instrumental merit just made my eyes glaze over for the hour. I won’t knock the actual quality though.

Lol I mixed this up with my Regatta review, thank God I was gonma give them the same thing. Am I cooked? 6/10 Fav tracks- mother, syncronicity II, murder by numbers Least fav - none really

Camping Next to Water was is a little microcosm of how I feel about this album, a thoroughly boring song throughout except for the two parts where a guitar comes in way louder than the rest of the instrumental tracks and for those two parts the song comes to life. But unlike the album itself, that song goes on for as long as it needs to. Tonally it's a weird one, sometimes it feels like a 2000s attempt to catch lightning in a bottle a la Pet Sounds, other times it feels like you're standing in the red bathroom at the Overlook Hotel with Delbert Grady. At least nobody says the n word. Highlights: Everybody's Stalking, Fall in a River

Meh, a bit boring TBH

Impressive album a first listen for me.

Some really, really interesting instrumentation and songwriting with some of the most dull singing I've ever heard

This had to be the original book editor’s cousin or childhood friend, right? Not awful. They can write a decent song. But the whole album sounds like basically the same decent song? I had to check a couple times to make sure I didn’t have it set to “repeat one.” I guess I’m glad I listened to it, but do I feel like I *needed* to listen to it before I died?

It’s all solid and some great moments for sure, but this made me realize I like my folk music like I like my coffee - straight up and erring on the gritty side of things.

I suppose it suits a certain mood, I have never been in that particular mood yet.

The Hour of Bewilderbeast is a full hour of bewilderbeast. It’s a bright, pretty album. When it’s good it’s very good. The opener, The Shining, Stone on the Water are fantastic. 6.0/10

Love About a Boy but never heard this one. I think I could really get into this after a few listens.

Almost exactly the kind of band the three star rating exists for. I know some albums that should be on this list that didn’t make the cut that are probably better, but I’m not angry that this one is here.

Too long to be listened to twice in a normal day, yet fun and interesting folk pop. Will listen again sometime.

It was OK. Very indy sounding.

A wonderful surprise. Right in my wheelhouse and somehow was completely blind. That Indie-Folk I crave and so much of it.

Now, I'll admit I bought this CD back in 2000 and I loved it then, and I haven't listened to it, or anything else by him for that matter, in probably 20 years now... And what seemed earth shattering to my naive reptile smooth brain back then is kinda boring now. It's just dull turn of the millenium indie music innit? I still enjoyed songs like "The Shining", "Another Pearl", "Magic In The Air", and "Disillusion", add in a couple more and a killer EP they would make, but this was just too long and too stuffed with filler like instrumental tracks to be enjoyable as it once was. And don't get me started on the aural assault that is "This Song", do not wear headphones for that.

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. Bewilderbeast feels like a direct Beatles ripoff.

I don't know what to make of this. There's some good stuff in here, parts and pieces but somehow it doesn't work together. Nothing that sticks. Beside The Song, which is absolutely annoying with headphones.

Not bad, quaint. Maybe - 3.724/5?

2/5

This Song is probably the most horrible song I've ever listened to with headphones.

Honestly pretty good. I was not sure what to expect but this turned out nice.

It's rather boring, also forgettable.

Um... Ok

One of my favorite albums so far!

Enjoyed

Kinda bland

Every time I thought they were going to do something interesting, they reverted back to their plain indie sound

Never heard. A little too folky for my taste.

Really like the sound of this. Like a British Elliott Smith. Quite long but I like the lo-fi collage of different styles.

on paper should be my kinda thing. wasnt the biggest fan dont really have a good reason as to why

I’m a child of the 90s and I’m not surprised I’ve never heard of them.

This album was a surprise for me. I liked songs, generally, and I liked how the album was conceptualized, track by track.

re chill banco

Oof

4-5 (nochmal anhören)

Rating: 6/10 Very artsy and overall pretty enjoyable. The use of a variety of different instruments was commendable, most of the album will end up being pretty forgettable though.

Why do some people like Marmite and hate Bovril? Who can say? I guess it's upbringing or personal taste that makes some like Rap and other hate it. Glad to say I do 'get this'. It's not awe inspiring or unique. Just pleasant and introspective.

Have not heard this one before. Good stuff.

7/10. Some really good parts. Some meh parts. But the really good outweighed the meh for me. 4-5 songs made the playlist.

Really? Out of ALL the music released in the last century, this makes the list of essential listening? WTF is so special about this? It's just another boring, emo, 21st century navelgazing record. It's fine for what it is, but for God's sake, I expect this list to challenge me, not bore me to sleep. This site should be called 1,001 records you may or may not find interesting.

Holy shit I’d fuck to this

I enjoyed this album but wasn't blown away. It reminds me of a lot of other music from around this time but it might even be a little more interesting than a lot of the indie music I listened to. There was a variety of styles and sounds which surprised me. There would be like a random bit in a completely different genre that would catch me off guard and I love that.

It's interesting how exposure to music at a young age influences your taste. I honestly didn't really hear anything in this record that shook my world or blew my mind, but I liked almost every song. And I think that's because I've spent a considerable amount of time listening to singer-songwriter indie music. Is this so much different than Wilco or Bright Eyes or even Dinosaur Jr? Its probably where you plant your flag and what you spend a lot of time with. This record was fun, it was interesting, it was even engaging. I liked almost every song. Though, I'm not sure if I'll revisit it. And that might be because it isn't too much different than a lot of music that I've spent a lot of time with. In that sense, it feels a bit generic and almost like "genre music." Though, this did have that kind of personal, self-reflective element that I feel elevates out of the "general category." I guess I'm a sucker for sad boy indie music. When are we getting some Bright Eyes??

I honestly wasn’t quite sure what to make of this at the start. But about halfway through I started to view this a precursor to the indie rock and pop rock sound we’d hear later in the decade from bands like Phoenix or Edward Sharpe. At least that’s what I heard. There’s some really charming stuff here. Some wonderful arrangements involving instruments I didn’t expect to hear. Sometimes the vibe felt akin to walking in the woods on a warm spring day. My one issue with it is that it was just too damn long. It didn’t need to be an hour. There were at least a few tracks that could’ve been cut here to make this a 40-45 minute album. It gets four stars from me, but it’s really more a 3.5. Standout Tracks: The Shining, Stone on the Water, Body Rap, Once Around the Block, Bewilderbeast, Magic in the Air, Disillusion

Made me feel things

Interesting, could use another listen

Not as bad as I'd expected. Thought it would all be as plain and ordinary as pissing in the wind, like disillusion. But some of it was far less dull. Borderline interesting.

You guessed it. It's too long dude. But pretty ok. Obscene words for thumbs up

This album is a wild ride and deeply rewarding. This is the first gem I’ve got from the project and I can see myself putting it on many times in the future. I just absolutely love that most of the songs have a completely change in tone by the end of them something that I can only remind me of parklife which is one of my all time favourites.

I found it a pleasant listen. Solid indie rock, but it did come across as a bit amateur-ish

Very good indy rock

I was unfamiliar with this artist. This was a very interesting album encompassing baroque folk, indie rock and grandeur pop. Will revisit.

Slow, dreary, sad, not for me.

own

With 15 minutes cut off, this could be a brilliantly coherent album. But as it stands, it sounds like Mr. DrawnBoy got carried away with playing with toys in his bedroom while crafting this. No shame there, I do it all the time too, when I’m trying to write a defined song. Still, there’s a lot to take away from this. It’s really ahead of its time, and easy to hear how it inspired later indie giants like Arcade Fire, even if it is taking a play or two from Elliot Smith’s book.

Though "The 40 Minutes of Bewilderbeast" would have been more effective, I appreciate the boundless ambition inherent to an artist pouring everything they have into their debut, especially when it covers so much sonic ground.

Extremely mediocre. Listened to the whole thing and immediately forgot I did.

Yeah, here's that indie music I wasn't cool enough to like in college. And I'm still not cool enough to like it today. It's a few good ideas and some solid lyricism buried in some boring music.

Fucking brilliant, had no idea what the music would be like but great melancholy bait. Great length, exactly my sort of music - nice distance from Elliot Smith but similar vibe. 4.55.

Not in my edition of the book! 2000. 2 stars. Inoffensive and mostly forgettable collection of what sounds like Crowded House outtakes. Definitely not essential listening.

he seems like a nice man but i don’t hear a single

I hear a lot of Wilco and Jeff Tweedy in here, especially in “pissing in the wind”. There also elements of Thome York and Radiohead, and Neutral Milk Hotel. Pretty good stuff.

Kinda reminds me of Elliott Smith which is cool, but that doesn't even come close to making up for how long and boring this album is.

Melancholic, excellent production, variety of instruments. I think the singing is lovely but the music tends to venture a little too broadly for its own good. Nothing to really pick apart by this album, just appears to be a lack of passion of conveyance there of. Just kind of bleh.

Kann mir dem Album nichts anfangen

Very pretty.

More shitty, generic, boring indie folk. I don’t know why these type of albums are so highly regarded or why this website lists ones like this. It all blends together and is completely unimpactful.

Disillusion and Once Around the Block are brilliant tracks in an otherwise half decent album. 3.5 stars

Very forgettable. It's been dropped from the list and it makes sense why

Nearly 5 territory. Poppa LIKEY

First song stunk, I was surprised to like it better after that

Nice discovery. Always assumed this band was dogshit.

Some nice tracks here. Not a great album

On the one hand, “like the partridge family, but indie” is basically my favorite genre. On the other hand, this is like if Elliott Smith was British, knew how to play the cello and was 12% more interesting. Elliott Smith probably knew how to play the cello and needed to be way more than 12% more interesting for me to like him. This album is completely inoffensive but just doesn’t do it for me.

Love the use of all the extra instruments on this one. Like a small orchestra accompanying a melancholy folky indie kinda guy

It's not exactly my preferred type of music and a bit lengthy, but it's not that bad. It's easy to enjoy its first 30 minutes and forget the rest.

reminds me of Wilco and Nick Drake at times but turn up the pretentiousness a notch

Meh. Boring and it went on for too long.

Not sure it really is one of the 1001 best albums ever, but it definitely captures that flipside of club culture that was the acoustic chillouter - see also Beth Orton. The three singles are great tracks, there's always something interesting going on. Cardinal sin: wayyy too long. Pick your twelve best tracks BDB. 3.5 but definitely not a four.

It's okay. I rather liked it. I wish there were half stars to give, it would be 3.5.

Ei ihan omaan makuun, sopisi taustamusiikiksi.

It’s actually a great great album. I remember when this record came out - with ‘Once Around the Block’ cute music video of the titular character ferrying out taxi fares round a city on his back. At first thought not much of it but a pretty twee song until I can around to listening to this record. Back then enjoyed it thoroughly and spun it many times but for some reason I forgot about it - and now two decades later I’m listening to it and remembering it very much - it’s a sticky album. Happy to have had the opportunity to revisit it.

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.

Dreadful soft rock. A baffling inclusion on this list

Some nice chill tunes but dragged on a bit in parts for me.

I think that the best thing about this project is that I’ve really become a fan of Neil Young in the process. Enjoyed this album a lot.

Brilliant

Good music. I love this album!

One tempo so far. Mellow. Very acoustic guitar driven from the onset and throughout. It’s not a standout album but it doesn’t fail other than not making me want to hear more from them. Choice cut: Another Pearl

3.5

Easy listening for sure. A little too bland for me personally

A very gentle record with short tracks that flow together with apparent ease. In fact I’d say the interlude tracks with less traditional structure and weird little samples are much stronger than their verse-chorus-verse counterparts (Disillusioned being the major exception). The lyrics border on being too sad boi but don’t fully go over the precipice. Listened to: walking around the woods. Favorite tracks: Body Rap, This Song, Pissing in the Wind

twas ok, but nothing groundbreaking.

I don’t know if I somewhat liked this or if I didn’t like it at all.

Best discovery so far

Would've been better without the singing.

This album was almost good but nothing really stood out to me. If it was a color, it would be a pleasant beige. Not offensive, but not interesting either.

guet s löschts halt immer wieder aber da album isch z lang s het immer wieder seeehr schöni moment drin aber mer het chöne grossi abstrich mache. und die guete moment sind meistens ehner afoch no schön und nöd woooow. das is nummer drei nur deswegen.

shit de shining, de luca pennt safe ih wnl muss au ufpasse dassi nöd ihschlafe nei s isch rig sehrsehr schön, mite blöser wo mengisch chli meh, chli weniger im hindergrund sind, aber s isch chli musical time gsi? fall in a tiger recht speziellaber cool wow ich cha nöd schribe CAMPING MEXT TO WATER UUUHHHH ich gkaub ich chegg langsam sini musig amother pearp extrem cool, exhli "normaler" und drum chli besser accessible? schribermrr das so body rap funny this song tut weh ide ohre magiv in the air isch iwie auchli magisch? meg a cute jaa mengisch hets halt sache wo eifach for the sake of it det sind? vlt bin ich au zu harsh disillusion naja aber de schluss mega cool, sehr ominös wuunderschöne übergabg say it again hani ghasst, und de closener isch joaaaa im ganze hanis eig recht cool gfunde, paar sache simmer chli zu "artsy" gsi aber jo nacheme ziitli hetmer schochli cheggt aber ja isch eig sehr churzwillig gsi, ziemli sicher es 3

Thought this album would never end.

Another album that is not particularly intersting. I also didn't particularly like his voice. However, it was an easy listen.

I don’t hate this album, but it’s not great. The production isn’t good, and the vocals and composition don’t make up for the amateurish nature overall. Can’t give it better than 2 stars. 2/5

Love it

Much better than I anticipated. I had bought a BDB album back in the early aughts (after reading great reviews) and found it unlistenable. This one was much better, although it tailed off at the end. 3.5/5

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!

This sounds like the soundtrack to an Indie movie circa 2003

Starts out nice enough as some folk informed Pop music, but goes on for a bit too long without anything really new. 2.5/5

Fav: Cause A Rockslide Least Fav: The Shining

Primer acercamiento a Badly Drown Boy. Con 18 canciones, el álbum debut de Damon Gough se posiciona como un estandarte para el resto de artistas, el cual refleja la forma cómo realmente debe presentarse un primer trabajo. Destacando tanto en el relato como en la composición, es innegable el talento que Gough plasma en este LP, haciendo una experiencia de 63 minutos una caminata por el parque que no agota al oyente. Sus letras introspectivas dan muestra de la fragilidad del artista y su composición hace que este LP sea realmente una experiencia musical. Si tuviese que destacar un elemento esencial de este trabajo es la voz del artista, la cual a algunos pudiese recordar a la suave e hipnótica voz de Nick Drake. Lamentablemente este resulta ser el punto con más altos y bajos de este trabajo, siendo a mi juicio el reflejo de los momentos más débiles de este LP. Así, por ejemplo, Another Pearl es una gran canción, pero que termina por decaer en el climax debido a que el registro vocal de Gough no alcanza las expectativas que la misma canción le pone. Esto termina generando una extraña dinámica entre canciones que satisfacen su estilo de canto y otras que no (aunque entre el mar de ellas que existe en el álbum este resulta ser un problema menor). A grandes rasgos, un muy buen álbum de Damon Gough que espero revisitar en el futuro! FAVTRAXS: The Shining, Camping Next to Water, Stone on the Water, Body Rap (interludio fav), Once Around the Block, Magic in the Air, Epitaph LEASTFAV: Fall in a River, Another Pearl, Cause a Rockslide 3.5/5

Do not drive while listening to this - will cause drowsiness.

Didn't understand the love at the time, don't understand it now.

Some solid indie with more hit than miss imo. Would be a 4, but lost a whole star for the stereo manipulation on This Song. That honestly made me feel like my head was going to implode.

Guitar noodly and voice droney. This Song almost made me sick listening to it with headphones on holy fuck. I hated this song, but I kinda appreciate the capability to give me vertigo. Overall there were a couple times where this album flashed 4 star potential and my ears perked up, but there were also plenty of times where the songs just came and went without much of a thought. An interesting album that I have no interest in revisiting.

Pleasant album to listen to first thing in the morning. There were some cool songs for sure but then there were some really boring indie sounding songs. Would have been ok with 4 or 5 songs taken out of this. Disillusion was pretty sweet, was the highlight of the album.

Starting off pretty solid. Indie melancholy in the vein of Sufjan Stevens. This started out as a solid 4, but kinda dragged on. Still appreciated some of the weirdness to it, and feel like it was super eclectic while still having that indie feel. Low 4.

Somehow I've listen to this 3 times and still not rated it.. There's a few really great songs on this and then a bunch of forgettable songs. It's a strong 3.5 but not quite 4.

Haven’t listened to this in a loooooong time and don’t know why. I really like this record. I like the way it flows through the tracks: it sounds like it’s meant to be listened to top to bottom. I like how the songs vary around a central sound.

It's not bad, but the whole time I thought i should just listen to Elliot Smith.

I had this CD from back when I was in college. And I probably haven't listened to it in close to 20 years. After re-listening, I remember why. There's nothing wrong here, but it's just not something I'd choose to put on as there are better examples of this style and type of music. It's perfectly pleasant, and fairly forgettable. Nothing wrong here at all, but doesn't knock anyone's socks off, either.

Nice sound. Not very interesting though, it kinda never goes anywhere. It has very small segments that I found great, but for the majority of the runtime I was bored This Song was a bad idea

it was cute