•
Rating: Damon Gough aka Badly Drawn Boy belongs to that category of artists who, after a while, start to become intimidating. Considering the depth of the character and the infinite ideas that must reside in his mind, the fear that he might lose sight of the horizon is always lurking. There is no rush to see a new album of his in the store displays.
In light of an eclecticism that unequivocally recalls the great masters of Anglo-Saxon pop, Badly Drawn Boy stands out at this juncture of the 21st century for a prolificacy worthy of certain authors of bygone times. Having reached his fifth album (including the OST "About A Boy," which should definitely be considered part of his discography) in six years, this time it seems Our Man has partially lost the thread that, albeit in a decreasing manner, had characterized his previous works.
Put that way, it would seem an inevitable downward trajectory has begun. Indeed, since the debut of "The Hour Of Bewilderbest" (the year was 2000), the artistic vein has progressively dried up to almost reach, in this "Born In The U.K.," the formulaic. It is understood that we are talking about one of the most ingenious songwriters to emerge from the land of Albion in the past ten years, and perhaps that's why it would be reasonable to expect something more than just a simple assignment.
The quirky, moody, and oblique style has given way to a more canonical mainstream pop, partially watering down the original referential models like Lennon-McCartney, Elvis Costello, and shifting the compass significantly toward Elton John and Billy Joel. Mind you, this observation is not necessarily meant to discredit, but the ongoing normalization, which is undeniable, should not in the future result in a sloppy and tacky pop. For now, the talented Badly remains well above the waterline by virtue of a crystalline class that distinguishes him even when inspiration does not sufficiently support him.
The somewhat overproduced album, to be honest, does not contain truly dull moments, but it is equally true that Nick Hornby is unlikely to lose sleep searching for a potential track to add to his "31 Songs." I feel compelled to say a few more words about "Nothing's Gonna Change Your Mind," a classic piano ballad where the ghost of Elton John is much more than a spiritual presence.
Ultimately, an album that in the contemporary musical landscape makes a fine impression, leaving behind most of the journeymen who tap into the infinite sources of pop.
As for Badly Drawn Boy, we are waiting to know what he intends to do when he grows up, hopefully, and I say this with all the love one can have for a dear brotherly friend, without any rush.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 Degrees of Separation (04:17)
Degrees of Separation
We figure out the past through photographs
They took while we were young
Even though there's no way out, we'll find one
We're the love-struck ones
The degrees of separation close in
Look who just walked in
A finger on the pulse is not enough
To show who's wrong from right
You know it's gonna be a long drive
Not an easy ride
The degrees of separation close in
Look who just walked in
Leave the lights on
If you're the last one alive
There's too many strangers on this long
Lonely drive
I'll be by your side
Believe me
Now, no-one knows the year
You're from the past
You look like you're alive
You know it's gonna be a long drive
Not an easy ride
The degrees of separation close in
Look who just walked in
I kept the photograph upon the dash
It helped me realise
That it didn't have to be a long drive
But an easy ride
The degrees of separation close in
We're alone again
Leave the lights on
If you're the last one alive
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By AR (Anonima Recensori)
"Born In The UK" is a small one-chord miracle, but the overall work feels a bit flat and imbued with a feeling of 'already heard'.
This album suffers from the typical flaw of works that had a troubled gestation: it is overproduced.
