The Hour of Bewilderbeast
by Badly Drawn Boy
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. AllMusic
    90
    Despite all attempts to sabotage his songwriting and production with innumerable experimental tidbits, songs within a song, and (seemingly) tossed-off arrangements, Damon Gough has to face the fact that He wrote and produced over a dozen excellent songs of baroque folk-pop for his album debut, and the many gems can't help but shine through all the self-indulgence.
  2. Pitchfork
    86
    The loose, scatterbrain album operates much like the early solo endeavors of Paul McCartney, with 80% developed gems flowing effortlessly from the damp, rustic English countryside.... Piano, strings, harps, and wurlitzer attach insect wings to the lovely songs. They'll swarm and pester your head for days.
  3. Mojo
    70
    The results are engaging without quite reaching flashover.
  5. Q Magazine
    80
    Quirky, spunky and really quite beautiful, this is British pop at its finest.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Yet in his desire to create a self-consciously classic album, BDB has erred on the side of generosity. At 63 minutes, 'The Hour Of Bewilderbeast' is true to its title: there's simply too much to sustain one's unswerving attention.
  7. Rolling Stone
    70
    Sounds like Elliott Smith's English cousin, or Nick Drake's almost-upbeat nephew.... sweet, gently burning songs.
  8. The A.V. Club
    70
    At about an hour, Bewilderbeast is uneven, but at its best it exudes a sense of mystery, ingenuity, and wonder that portends even better material to come.
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    A slippery and surprising little record -- an oblique song cycle tracing a relationship from balmy beginning to corrosive end.
  10. Alternative Press
    80
    Musically, he's a little more conventional than one would hope. [12/2000, p.90]
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  11. Billboard
    90
    A wonderfully offbeat blend of atmospheric folk and lo-fi rock that never fails to charm.... One of the year's most well-rounded and consistently satisfying albums.
  12. Dot Music
    80
    It doesn't disappoint, if beatific, rhythm-infested melodies, resplendent in wondrous brass, stark string accompaniment and obscure found sounds are your bag.
  13. Village Voice
    70
    It putters here and there across 18 ditties and doodles gracefully arranged, but played with two left feet and recorded to match.... This English Elliott Smith's got a plainspeak voice that compels with repeated listenings, and the subtle tunes are likewise sneaky, enlivened by all sorts of quirky bits...
  14. Almost Cool
    80
    Although a couple tracks towards the end don't work quite as well, it doesn't detract from the album as a whole very much.
  15. Ink Blot Magazine
    70
    These songs are sonically interesting and pretty as Mom on Easter, but they don't really ring true...
  16. Select
    100
    A work of warm-hearted ambition, embracing ragtime, disco beats, melodic Johnny Marr-isms... and echoes of Bacharach.... A classic debut LP with a lifetime's worth of triumphs and tragedies packed into it. [July 2000, p.112]
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Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best Album of 2000
59
#59 Most Discussed Album of 2000
93
#93 Most Shared Album of 2000

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Ricko
    Oct 26, 2011
    8
    A brilliant debut from the enigmatic Badly Drawn Boy. Original throughout, full of nicely crafted songs intermingled with sound collages. OnlyA brilliant debut from the enigmatic Badly Drawn Boy. Original throughout, full of nicely crafted songs intermingled with sound collages. Only 1 or 2 weak tracks of the 18 on it. I'd recommend to anyone who appreciates good melodies and cute lyrics. Although I'm cautious in saying it, this reminds me a lot of the Beatles White album in terms of it's style (but obviously without all the Beatles all time classics that appeared on that record). The song writing here is top notch and well deserved it's Mercury Music Prize.… Full Review »
  2. Rikardsen
    Aug 15, 2011
    10
    This is an album about positive expectations, an album you can so easily fall in love with and flows so effortlessly. BDB is a true songwriterThis is an album about positive expectations, an album you can so easily fall in love with and flows so effortlessly. BDB is a true songwriter taking the listener through an epic adventure.… Full Review »
  3. CHRIS
    Feb 25, 2005
    9
    nifty.
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