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The Hour of Bewilderbeast
by
The Hour of Bewilderbeast Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length album from Damon Gough (who records under the Badly Drawn Boy name) earned Britain's Mercury Prize for Best Album in 2000.

Top Track

Pissing in The Wind
I've been pissing in the wind I chance a foolish grin And dribbled on my chin Now the ground shifts beneath my feet The faces that I greet never know... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. 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]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Ink Blot Magazine
    70
    These songs are sonically interesting and pretty as Mom on Easter, but they don't really ring true...
  5. Mojo
    70
    The results are engaging without quite reaching flashover.
  6. Rolling Stone
    70
    Sounds like Elliott Smith's English cousin, or Nick Drake's almost-upbeat nephew.... sweet, gently burning songs.
  7. Spin
    50
    Gough's dewy little tunes are mere scribblings in the margins of alt-folk's dog-eared hook-book, while his too-cool-to-care singing is drip-dry dreary. [12/2000, p.232]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. 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.… Expand
  2. RicN.
    Jan 4, 2002
    10
    Just played it and played it and played it. This guy is reminiscent of Lou Reed in his lighter moments - surely destined to be a major artist Just played it and played it and played it. This guy is reminiscent of Lou Reed in his lighter moments - surely destined to be a major artist - acknowledged or not… Expand
  4. JaredSS
    May 12, 2004
    10
    Absolutely brilliant! Arguably the best album of the last five years. As a whole, it works better than a Pink Floyd album and the Absolutely brilliant! Arguably the best album of the last five years. As a whole, it works better than a Pink Floyd album and the Beatle-esque melodies will ring in your ear long after hearing them. Do yourself the privelage of giving this masterpiece a listen or two....or five.… Expand
  5. phill
    Mar 3, 2004
    9
    A rare pop talent - this album is loaded with memorable songs.
  6. CHRIS
    Feb 25, 2005
    9
    nifty.
  7. 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.… Expand
  8. BenjaminBunny
    Mar 26, 2004
    6
    Lyrically banal, the folksy tracks strike me as a pose (Damon Gough comes across as a sure-fire Elliott Smith fan)--not groundbreaking by any Lyrically banal, the folksy tracks strike me as a pose (Damon Gough comes across as a sure-fire Elliott Smith fan)--not groundbreaking by any stretch, but consistantly listenable throughout. The follow-up, "Have You Fed the Fish?" is a more singular and assured vision from this artist.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

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