Org Music Club: NDRU's Year of the Rat

They tried to keep me down! First Muxtape goes down. Then 8Track says I’m too radical for their little “system.” Yeah, I bent the rules by choosing songs from all one artist, but I follow the P-Funk/Burger King philosophy “Have it Your Way!And we'll figure out a way to do it.

http://anywhere.fm/NDRU (upload in progress as of 5:03 pm--my third attempt at this!!

Some of you will surely not like this mix. There’s something kind of off about Damon Gough, aka Badly Drawn Boy. Maybe it’s the voice (I actually thought that he was a woman for a brief moment, partly due to the name). He never really blasts a tune like Lennon or Stevie. His lyrics often don’t rhyme, and they don’t read like normal rock cliches. His music is largely mid-tempo, and it has odd changes.

It took me a long time to get into him, but slowly his albums have become nearly as important to me as anyone. That’s saying a lot, I think, because my collection is not too obscure, but is rather superstars & legends of their genres. The richness and originality of the arrangements, the melodies, the utter sincerity with which he presents it has made up for the fact that it’s not always cool. Every time I hear one of his albums, I’m not quite ready for it. It has to seep into my soul gradually, where it eventually finds permanent residence.

I know maybe it’s not that creative to present only one artist. But that’s how I made so many mix tapes way back when, and the guy I’ve chosen gets no love in America (and I imagine he doesn’t get nearly enough in the UK either).

I called this mix Year of the Rat after a song that nearly made the mix, and because this is the year of the Rat, and I was also born in the year of the Rat!

All Possibilities—this song actually had a little success in America, in the form of a Target commercial. This is BDB at his most accessible & upbeat. It’s a beautiful melody, beautiful sentiment, and a beautiful arrangement.

Another Devil Dies—A slow builder. I think one of the things I like most about him is his use of real instruments, and lots of different ones at that. The organic feel of his music is what Prince merely hinted at in Musicology. The lyrics are not out of left field, yet they are highly original.

Welcome to the Overground—This song is unusual for him in that it buries his voice behind the big arrangement. Instead of being personal, it’s like a new age operatic anthem. That sounds terrible, I know, but I love it anyway!

Once Around the Block—jazz? Folk? Honestly it’s like nothing I’ve ever heard.

Nothing’s Gonna Change Your Mind—Does this one try too hard? Maybe, but it captures a big feeling, and by the end I’m hooked.

Promises—By contrast this one hardly tries at all, and yet it builds to a great intensity. The lyrics are so powerful and his performance is so sincere.

The Further I Slide—this one gets into your head. My girlfriend & I are always singing “do do do do do…” He shows on this song (and album) that he’s capable of some radio friendly stuff.

How—BDB’s third album Have You Fed the Fish had a lot of these bigger productions. Love the way this is essentially three songs in one. It takes me back to A Day In The Life.

Pissing in the Wind—one of the songs that made people talk so much about his debut. Simply a great pop song, it sets the tone for all of his music.

Holy Grail—Here he pulls out all the stops. You might hear why a fan of Lovesexy would like this one. It reminds me of Positivity in a roundabout way. The strange children’s choir singing strange lyrics and a tricky, yet still singsong melody are why I love this guy. I can’t imagine anyone else getting away with it!
[Edited 9/1/08 17:03pm]
[Edited 9/15/08 15:38pm]

NDRU said:

looks like anywhere.fm randomizes the order

One artist, eh? Ballsy. I can't wait to listen tomorrow. Thanks, NDRU.

I haven't heard your mix yet, but given that it's Badly Drawn Boy, I doubt that I will sit through it..... I've tried to get into this artist's stuff, I simply couldn't!

On a far less important note: can someone please peal off his stupid hat????

I'm here for the gangbang!

NDRU said:

looks like anywhere.fm randomizes the order

For the correct order a might help.

Am I right, NDRU?

abierman said:

I haven't heard your mix yet, but given that it's Badly Drawn Boy, I doubt that I will sit through it..... I've tried to get into this artist's stuff, I simply couldn't!

On a far less important note: can someone please peal off his stupid hat????

Sander said:

For the correct order a might help.

Am I right, NDRU?

Even though I knew very much in advance that this mix was all about BDB, I still can't help thinking of Al Stewart whenever I see the thread title.

sextonseven said:

Once around the block, has that insane open wah guitar line!

Great song, loved his About a Boy sounds.

aalloca said:

There are videos to many of these songs. His videos, like his music, rely on old technology. Sometimes they are very low budget, but in the spirit of older videos they're like short films.

All Possibilities has one that I couldn't find, but this performance is really cute.



Once Around the Block



Nothing's Gonna Change Your Mind



Promises



Pissing in the Wind



and for extra credit, this is the title track Year of the Rat

NDRU said:

Sander said:

NDRU said:

All Possibilities has one that I couldn't find, but this performance is really cute.

That was awesome! Hilarious! Touching!

NDRU said:

All Possibilities - The interesting thing about this song, I think, is that it's so darned optimistic! Not that that's a bad thing. But I think this being my introduction to BDB -- and with so many artists exploring such dark territory these days -- it's simply foreign, and almost offensive, that this guys sees the bright side of things. Challenging... but I think I might like that.

Another Devil Dies - Smart lyrics. I appreciate that. Somehow, though, those lyrics, combined with things like tempo changes, woodwinds and brass, and the faux-live environment complete with crowd noises and applause strikes me as unforgiveably self-indulgent.

Welcome to the Overground - OK, by now I see this guy is pretty friggin' weird. I'm sure I should hate this, but the Steely Dan-esque opening spiraling into an "Age of Aquarius"-brand proclamation makes this one of my favorite songs of the mixtape.

Once around the Block - Unremarkable. Not at all bad, but unremarkable.

Nothings Gonna Change Your Mind - I was ready not to like this song after the first few stanzas, but, you're right, by the end of the song, I was kinda diggin' it. It evolves into a rather epic production, but oddly, Gough's quirkiness carries it well.

Promises - I could like this track if only because against the grandiosity of those that precede it, this one seems relatively -- pleasantly -- subtle. But I also really like the chord changes, the piano work, and a memorable melody (FINALLY! ) And the lyrics remain smart here, if they are considerably more melancholy here than elsewhere on this mixtape.

The Further I Slide - A review I read online complained this was a pretty blatant rip-off of Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing." I suppose I can detect some similarities in the chord progression and the tempo, but I don't feel the rip-off elsewhere. That said, like "Once Around the Block," this song is OK... but just OK.

How - The disjointed movements here are annoying. I can't grab onto anything here.

Pissing in the Wind - I was ready to comment again about how unremarkable this song is... until that nutty keyboard solo (is that a friggin' celesta? ) at 2:03. It's an accessible enough song, and I suppose I can see why its country tavern aesthetic would appeal to some.

Holy Grail - By the time I arrived at this song, I was pretty ambivalent about BDB. I'd heard overly gimmicky tracks; I'd heard utterly forgettable tracks; and I'd heard pretty enjoyable, if quirky, ones. The first half of "Holy Grail" fell in line with the forgettable stuff. And after the recorder solo and the impending change in movement at 4:12, I was ready to chalk up the second half as more gimmick. But I actually liked where he went -- catchy piano riff, fantastic wailing guitar, fun children's chorus and a wash of bizarre sound effects for a really odd close. In many ways this track reminded me more of "A Day in the Life" -- or even the opening sequence of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon -- than "How."

....Thanks, NDRU. I'd never heard of Badly Drawn Boy. Having heard him now, Damon Gough (I did some reading up ) impresses me as an artist whom I'd enjoy live more than recorded. He apparently is celebrated for his melodies, but I honestly don't see this as his defining mark. Rather, Gough's stuff (here at least), with its sound effects, odd instrumentations and diverse movements and tempo changes, gives me a far more theatrical energy.

Top 3 favorites:
1. Promises
2. Welcome to the Overground
3. Holy Grail.

Lammastide said:

All Possibilities - The interesting thing about this song, I think, is that it's so darned optimistic! Not that that's a bad thing. But I think this being my introduction to BDB -- and with so many artists exploring such dark territory these days -- it's simply foreign, and almost offensive, that this guys sees the bright side of things. Challenging... but I think I might like that.

Another Devil Dies - Smart lyrics. I appreciate that. Somehow, though, those lyrics, combined with things like tempo changes, woodwinds and brass, and the faux-live environment complete with crowd noises and applause strikes me as unforgiveably self-indulgent.

Welcome to the Overground - OK, by now I see this guy is pretty friggin' weird. I'm sure I should hate this, but the Steely Dan-esque opening spiraling into an "Age of Aquarius"-brand proclamation makes this one of my favorite songs of the mixtape.

Once around the Block - Unremarkable. Not at all bad, but unremarkable.

Nothings Gonna Change Your Mind - I was ready not to like this song after the first few stanzas, but, you're right, by the end of the song, I was kinda diggin' it. It evolves into a rather epic production, but oddly, Gough's quirkiness carries it well.

Promises - I could like this track if only because against the grandiosity of those that precede it, this one seems relatively -- pleasantly -- subtle. But I also really like the chord changes, the piano work, and a memorable melody (FINALLY! ) And the lyrics remain smart here, if they are considerably more melancholy here than elsewhere on this mixtape.

The Further I Slide - A review I read online complained this was a pretty blatant rip-off of Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing." I suppose I can detect some similarities in the chord progression and the tempo, but I don't feel the rip-off elsewhere. That said, like "Once Around the Block," this song is OK... but just OK.

How - The disjointed movements here are annoying. I can't grab onto anything here.

Pissing in the Wind - I was ready to comment again about how unremarkable this song is... until that nutty keyboard solo (is that a friggin' celesta? ) at 2:03. It's an accessible enough song, and I suppose I can see why its country tavern aesthetic would appeal to some.

Holy Grail - By the time I arrived at this song, I was pretty ambivalent about BDB. I'd heard overly gimmicky tracks; I'd heard utterly forgettable tracks; and I'd heard pretty enjoyable, if quirky, ones. The first half of "Holy Grail" fell in line with the forgettable stuff. And after the recorder solo and the impending change in movement at 4:12, I was ready to chalk up the second half as more gimmick. But I actually liked where he went -- catchy piano riff, fantastic wailing guitar, fun children's chorus and a wash of bizarre sound effects for a really odd close. In many ways this track reminded me more of "A Day in the Life" -- or even the opening sequence of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon -- than "How."

....Thanks, NDRU. I'd never heard of Badly Drawn Boy. Having heard him now, Damon Gough (I did some reading up ) impresses me as an artist whom I'd enjoy live more than recorded. He apparently is celebrated for his melodies, but I honestly don't see this as his defining mark. Rather, Gough's stuff (here at least), with its sound effects, odd instrumentations and diverse movements and tempo changes, gives me a far more theatrical energy.

Top 3 favorites:
1. Promises
2. Welcome to the Overground
3. Holy Grail.

NDRU said:

Lammastide said:

All Possibilities - The interesting thing about this song, I think, is that it's so darned optimistic! Not that that's a bad thing. But I think this being my introduction to BDB -- and with so many artists exploring such dark territory these days -- it's simply foreign, and almost offensive, that this guys sees the bright side of things. Challenging... but I think I might like that.

Another Devil Dies - Smart lyrics. I appreciate that. Somehow, though, those lyrics, combined with things like tempo changes, woodwinds and brass, and the faux-live environment complete with crowd noises and applause strikes me as unforgiveably self-indulgent.

Welcome to the Overground - OK, by now I see this guy is pretty friggin' weird. I'm sure I should hate this, but the Steely Dan-esque opening spiraling into an "Age of Aquarius"-brand proclamation makes this one of my favorite songs of the mixtape.

Once around the Block - Unremarkable. Not at all bad, but unremarkable.

Nothings Gonna Change Your Mind - I was ready not to like this song after the first few stanzas, but, you're right, by the end of the song, I was kinda diggin' it. It evolves into a rather epic production, but oddly, Gough's quirkiness carries it well.

Promises - I could like this track if only because against the grandiosity of those that precede it, this one seems relatively -- pleasantly -- subtle. But I also really like the chord changes, the piano work, and a memorable melody (FINALLY! ) And the lyrics remain smart here, if they are considerably more melancholy here than elsewhere on this mixtape.

The Further I Slide - A review I read online complained this was a pretty blatant rip-off of Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing." I suppose I can detect some similarities in the chord progression and the tempo, but I don't feel the rip-off elsewhere. That said, like "Once Around the Block," this song is OK... but just OK.

How - The disjointed movements here are annoying. I can't grab onto anything here.

Pissing in the Wind - I was ready to comment again about how unremarkable this song is... until that nutty keyboard solo (is that a friggin' celesta? ) at 2:03. It's an accessible enough song, and I suppose I can see why its country tavern aesthetic would appeal to some.

Holy Grail - By the time I arrived at this song, I was pretty ambivalent about BDB. I'd heard overly gimmicky tracks; I'd heard utterly forgettable tracks; and I'd heard pretty enjoyable, if quirky, ones. The first half of "Holy Grail" fell in line with the forgettable stuff. And after the recorder solo and the impending change in movement at 4:12, I was ready to chalk up the second half as more gimmick. But I actually liked where he went -- catchy piano riff, fantastic wailing guitar, fun children's chorus and a wash of bizarre sound effects for a really odd close. In many ways this track reminded me more of "A Day in the Life" -- or even the opening sequence of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon -- than "How."

....Thanks, NDRU. I'd never heard of Badly Drawn Boy. Having heard him now, Damon Gough (I did some reading up ) impresses me as an artist whom I'd enjoy live more than recorded. He apparently is celebrated for his melodies, but I honestly don't see this as his defining mark. Rather, Gough's stuff (here at least), with its sound effects, odd instrumentations and diverse movements and tempo changes, gives me a far more theatrical energy.

Top 3 favorites:
1. Promises
2. Welcome to the Overground
3. Holy Grail.

great review, thatnks! I had issues of what to choose here, as I wanted some stuff that people could get in just one listen, but that much of his best material is just not meant for that. So I just tried to make something that I liked and sounded like maybe it could go together.

I'm glad you liked any of it at all! I'm a little surprised at the ones you chose as your favorites, however. Just goes to show you can't predict peoples' taste (not that yours was bad or wrong). In my mind you chose the more challenging songs, either from a potentially "pretentious" standpoint--Holy Grail & Welcome to the Overground--or from a more subtle standpoint--Promises--as your favorites.

Sander said:

Lammastide said:

NDRU said:

great review, thatnks! I had issues of what to choose here, as I wanted some stuff that people could get in just one listen, but that much of his best material is just not meant for that. So I just tried to make something that I liked and sounded like maybe it could go together.

I'm glad you liked any of it at all! I'm a little surprised at the ones you chose as your favorites, however. Just goes to show you can't predict peoples' taste (not that yours was bad or wrong). In my mind you chose the more challenging songs, either from a potentially "pretentious" standpoint--Holy Grail & Welcome to the Overground--or from a more subtle standpoint--Promises--as your favorites.

It's funny, but you're correct, I think... I definitely liked "Promises" because it didn't have some of the bombast of the other stuff. But while the melodrama of other songs lost me, it was the very thing that drew me to "Welcome to the Overground" and "Holy Grail."

I suspect maybe in my mind, if you're gonna do something pretentious, it should be SOOOO pretentious that people are willing to almost chalk it up to camp... and, thus, forgive you for it.

HamsterHuey said:

Sander said:

Punk-rock!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love how everybody has their own take on this project.

I say we need MORE rules,


No, but seriously. Seriously, I kinda like this. Badly Drwan Boy is one of those hyped artists people tell me I'l like and I never got around to get into him.

A week late, I know; due to some personal stuff I can't give the latest tapes the attention I would like... But I am playing it NOW. Hurray for insomnia.

First thing I always do is listen to it while doing other things. Then I listen to the tape while reading the text on the thread, to see if my thoughts on the songs are in one line with the person's thoughts.

I listened to it twice now and there wasn't one song I skipped, but neither was there a song that made me go 'Uhm, what was THAT?' in a way that makes me wanna play it again or search for more info on the artist or song/

I liked the flow of the tape alot, though. Like you said yourself; BDB did not catch on immediately with you either.
What I also liked lots was how he composed songs, using background noise. I feel BDB being a studio artist, a shy man (might be the pic) tinkering away in the studio, secretly recording people stirring their coffee in cafe's.
I feel BDB is someone I will return to, but he does not draw me in immediately.

What is his best album, in your opinion? Should I start with the first, or is there a jump-start album?

NDRU said:

aalloca said:

HamsterHuey said:

Sander said:

Punk-rock!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love how everybody has their own take on this project.

ya lazy bastid! Well I can tell you straight away, my favorite artist on your mix is Badly Drawn Boy! Now nobody can complain about my hidden track, which was my idea from the very beginning. My presentation is going to have another twist but ya gotta wait until my week

I have heard this name a thousand times and have never heard a single song. Right away I could see why he would be hated but I really really REALLY like this guy A LOT! I find absolutely nothing objectionable about his voice. Then again, I'm not a "False God You"!

I love the arrangements and I totally appreciate the odd changes in the structure of the songs. There is effort in the music but it's not forced. I really like his voice and I'm intrigued by his lyrics. Since I'm not familiar it will really take me several listens to begin connecting on that level but I feel that it will be a large part of his appeal to me. Usually when you're unfamiliar with an artist or song, it's kind of hard to get in the groove but I had an instant comfort level with these songs. I am SO going to explore this guy

On first listen, my favorite was "Welcome to the Overground". I like your description and it's exactly why I love it so much. But having heard this again I go for Promises. It makes me cry There is something so tragic about it but also just something that is so genuine and pure. So pretty it's sad. Knowing you’re a Pisces makes so much sense as far as this mix is concerned.

PS - You didn't comment on "How"!

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

ya lazy bastid! Well I can tell you straight away, my favorite artist on your mix is Badly Drawn Boy! Now nobody can complain about my hidden track, which was my idea from the very beginning. My presentation is going to have another twist but ya gotta wait until my week

I have heard this name a thousand times and have never heard a single song. Right away I could see why he would be hated but I really really REALLY like this guy A LOT! I find absolutely nothing objectionable about his voice. Then again, I'm not a "False God You"!

I love the arrangements and I totally appreciate the odd changes in the structure of the songs. There is effort in the music but it's not forced. I really like his voice and I'm intrigued by his lyrics. Since I'm not familiar it will really take me several listens to begin connecting on that level but I feel that it will be a large part of his appeal to me. Usually when you're unfamiliar with an artist or song, it's kind of hard to get in the groove but I had an instant comfort level with these songs. I am SO going to explore this guy

On first listen, my favorite was "Welcome to the Overground". I like your description and it's exactly why I love it so much. But having heard this again I go for Promises. It makes me cry There is something so tragic about it but also just something that is so genuine and pure. So pretty it's sad. Knowing you’re a Pisces makes so much sense as far as this mix is concerned.

PS - You didn't comment on "How"!

This thread will need lots of help to get to "fire" status like the others. I'll post a review soon.