It is now ten years since Badly Drawn Boy won critical acclaim and the Mercury Music Prize. The singer-songwriter from Bedfordshire beat Coldplay, Richard Ashcroft and Doves to win that award with album ‘Hour of the Wilderbeast’. But as it widely reported that prize can have mixed consequences. In recent years, it has done Dizzee Rascal, Franz Ferdinand and Arctic Monkeys no harm. But the reputations of Antony and the Johnsons and Speech Debelle have taken a hit after their respective awards. And Badly Drawn Boy has unfortunately gone that way also.
Damon Gough, the Badly Drawn Boy himself, has faded into the background of the alternative British scene, seeing himself surpassed by the likes of Jamie T in the music world. His last five studio albums have gone largely unnoticed by the masses, and this single doesn’t give the impression that is going to change much.
‘Too Many Miracles’ is a good song, don’t mistake me on that. Lusciously built up, it has a kind atmospheric feel with swirling violins and a bright guitar riff that is very pleasing. All the elements go together well to form an appealing melody and make for a good listen, but it’s not going to uproot any trees.
‘Hour of the Wilderbeast’ was a great album, and his releases since deserve more than the public indifference they have been met with. Gough shows his talent in the happily pleasant ‘Too Many Miracles’, for this the latest album ‘Its What I’m Thinking Pt. 1 – Photographing Snowflakes’ should be given a chance to impress. But I get the feeling it won’t win next year’s Mercury Prize, and maybe Gough will see that as a blessing in disguise.
Worth a listen, if only one, and here's the song with a fittingly autumnal video.
NWR
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