431. Badly Drawn Boy - the hour of bewilderbeast

431.BDBthehourofbewilderbeast,
originally uploaded by jrd550.

Ellen introduced me to BDB via the song 'All Possibilities', which I still love for its simple retro groove and 'i'm fallin in love'/'we can do anything' like lyrics (note: that song is not on this album). The first impression you get of BDB is that he sort of sounds like Elliot Smith, which makes sense since they both sound like the Beatles and both have the same producer. But upon further inspection you realize that of course both song writers are unique. There is something clearly british about BDB: fable/story like lyrics that leave you expecting a neatly wrapped up moral in the end (even interludes are included for set changes), polished crystally clear vocals with accompanying strings to match. Anyway the album works because he's just a sad guy in love or wanting to fall in love.

8 out of 10