Born In The U.K.
by Badly Drawn Boy
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 30
  3. Negative: 5 out of 30
  1. BBC collective
    70
    This may not measure up to The Hour Of Bewilderbeast, but it does boast a batch of sweet and deceptively unfussy, scruffily heartfelt tunes dealing with love, loss and the messiness of life that help redeem his unarguable songwriting talent.
  2. Hartford Courant
    70
    Like his hero, Bruce Springsteen, he's willing to lay his feelings bare and, in a heartfelt, plainspoken sort of way, invite lovers to ride beside him on life's bumpy path.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    75
    Wistful, vulnerable, not averse to facing the dark side, "Born in the UK" is welcome because it restores some focus and direction to the one thing Gough has never lacked: heart.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Cleaned up but never pared-down, it's his most wholesome collection since 'The Hour Of Bewilderbeast'. [21 Oct 2006, p.35]
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  6. Under The Radar
    70
    Born in the U.K. is a disarming, wistful work that observes Gough’s idealism with piano-driven balladry. [#15]
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  7. Q Magazine
    80
    A hugely moving affirmation of life. [Nov 2006, p.136]
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  8. Mojo
    70
    This is a collection of melodic, quality pop songs that lean to the grown-up side of things. [Nov 2006, p.100]
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  9. Paste Magazine
    70
    This is Gough's most succinct album to date--fluid, eloquent and timeless. [Nov 2006, p.79]
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  10. Neumu.net
    70
    Yes, the overall sound is more uniform. Uniformity, however, is not necessarily a bad thing.
  11. The Boston Phoenix
    63
    It’s a shame he doesn’t indulge more of his rock impulses, because his ornate mid-tempo predilections tend to water down his natural charisma.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 5 out of 23
  1. sleepchant
    May 29, 2020
    8
    This album's due for another look. It features some of his most idiosyncratic singing, and there's a sad wonder to songs like "Degrees ofThis album's due for another look. It features some of his most idiosyncratic singing, and there's a sad wonder to songs like "Degrees of Separation," "The Long Way Round," and "Walk You Home" that kinda sums up your 30s. Is it groundbreaking stuff? No, but it's relatable and just complex enough to reveal layers. I even like bombastic experiments like "Welcome to the Overground" and "Swimming Pool Part 1." Would've been a worthy successor to About a Boy as his own personal "soundtrack."… Full Review »
  2. Mccusky
    May 5, 2020
    4
    Quite a dull album, one of the most disappointing albums after the such high quality of his predecessors
  3. PaulW.
    Dec 5, 2009
    10
    WHATT?!! How could everyone rip this album some much? There are so many damn good songs on it!! I think there is some conspiracy to take down Gough.
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