James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
The album opens with “In Safe Hands,” in which the soft vocals echo Thom Yorke rather than Gough’s usual upbeat tones. His gentle tones reach a slightly more upbeat level on the second track, “The Order of Things,” but it’s still desperately depressing compared to the positive general tone of About a Boy.
Gough compliments his eloquent vocals with gentle drum beats and delicate guitar riffs, making for a generally easy listen. It doesn’t require effort to understand the beauty of the album – it can wash over a listener yet they can still pick up on the lyrics of heartbreak and make ups. Yet with the echoing chorus on “You Lied” simply haunting the listener as Gough states “All that I ask is you treat me like a man,” and lyrics including “I’m ready to be in love again” on “Too Many Miracles,” the album can become what you make it. If you’re willing to put more effort into the listen, it becomes a heartbreaking account of his fight to leave someone in the past.
Known for his ability to ramble rather than rock during live shows, Gough could go either way. Yet with It’s What I’m Thinking being hailed as his best work since first album The Hour of the Bewilderbeast, maybe it’s time for Badly Drawn Boy to really take off, live shows included. And, who knows, maybe then he can even buy a new hat.
Like it? Try Elbow, Doves, Belle & Sebastian or the Magic Numbers
It’s What I’m Thinking Part 1: Photographing Snowflakes – Out Now – ★★★☆☆
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