Badly Drawn Boy - Born in the UK (2006) [FLAC]

Audio CD (October 17, 2006)
Original Release Date: 2006
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Astralwerks
With a new record label behind him and his most elaborate and pop-oriented backing music to date, Damon Gough a.k.a. Badly Drawn Boy tackles the subject of his youth in the United Kingdom on this quasi-concept record. The album, which was completely recorded twice, is clearly a watershed moment for Gough, whose lyrics about his native land are often enough unapologetically proud. With more than a little nod to Bruce Springsteen, Gough covers the '70s and '80s in his own country: the Silver Jubilee, nuclear fear, the Falklands War, and everything in between--all in a highly personal way. The piano plus backing band effect at times recalls Billy Joel and Ben Folds. "Welcome to the Overground," with its big, sunshine rainbow backing chorus and piano-driven groove, seems like a lead song from a '70s rock opera about one of the disciples, or some lost Up With People! song. Other tunes, such as "Walk You Home," have an almost yacht-rock sheen to them. Overall, when it doesn't allow sentiment to bleed into overt sentimentality, Born in the U.K. is a moving, cinematic effort. --Mike McGonigal
Tracks:

1. Intro/Swimming Pool Part 1 1:40
2. Born In The UK 2:37
3. Degrees Of Separation 4:19
4. Welcome To The Overground 3:24
5. Journey From A To B 3:48
6. Nothing's Gonna Change Your Mind 5:18
7. Promises 5:06
8. The Way Things Used To Be 4:45
9. Without A Kiss 5:37
10. The Long Way Round 3:43
11. Walk You Home 3:45
12. The Time Of Times 3:16
13. One Last Dance 4:48