Badly Drawn Boy - About a Boy

What's a budding musical genius to do in the pent-up lull between albums? Mercury Prize-winning singer-songwriter Badly Drawn Boy (nee Damon Gough), in his spare time between heralded debut THE HOUR OF BEWILDERBEEST, and a follow-up to be released later in 2002, approached the filmmakers adapting Nick Hornby's acclaimed novel ABOUT A BOY about the soundtrack for the film starring Hugh Grant. There's no question to the logic of the combination as Gough's sublimely literate, disaffected yet still charmingly breezy pop music fits the story of life's apparent losers at two stages of life, one an apathetic womanizer approaching his 40s, the other a bullied misfit boy passing into his teens, between whom an unlikely friendship ensues. A folky singer/songwriter scoring songs to help set the tone of a movie about unlikely friendship could stir up memories of Cat Stevens's unreleased soundtrack for "Harold & Maude," a fair enough assessment. In a similar fashion (but in its own way), Badly Drawn Boy's take on ABOUT A BOY weaves a mournful, yet upbeat tapestry drawing from its source material while managing to enrich the story itself. There are even some pop megahit hooks such as in the rolling "Silent Sigh" and in the head-bobbing, ostensible theme song "Something To Talk About." Album Description

beautiful autumnal soundtrack

Like most of you who are reading this review, this wasn't my first BDB purchase -- that would go to Hour of Bewilderbeast. In fact, this was my 3rd BDB album purchase.

This album is amazing. Just different enough from his non-soundtrack albums to be interesting yet containing all of the things you love about him. On first listen, you may think the musical interludes are filler -- you'd be wrong, though. On subsequent listens, this album reveals itself as the perfect creation it is. I'd liken it to Marvin Gaye's What's Going On in the sense that all the songs have a very similar feel, and musical interludes have some melodies repeated throughout the album.

So buy this, jump in the car on a rainy, autumn day and prepare to be completely astounded by how good these melodies and songs are. October 6, 2006

Badly Drawn Boy Makes Magic Again

This is the fourth BDB album I've bought and it's simply an amazingly brillant piece of musicianship. I've listened to this album a ridiculous amount of times and I never cease to enjoy every song on here. BDB finds a perfect balance mixing quirky instrumental tracks with an equal number of wonderful vocal pieces, creating an album rarely surpassed by musicians today. With enticing lyrics and catchy tunes, the soundtrack to "About a Boy" will please its buyers and delight any who take a moment to listen to BDB work his magic. December 14, 2005

Beautiful and interesting music

A great soundtrack for the "About A Boy" movie. This eclectic, energetic, wistful music conjurs up a range of emotions depicted in the movie. My wife loves the CD too. Very original. September 22, 2005

Didn't Know this existed

I've been looking for the soundtrack everywhere. It's one of the most original, uplifting, "gladdening" -as the original review copy reads - soundtracks out there. Love it! June 18, 2005

Breath taking

THIS MOVIE IS A GREAT INSPIRATION FOR ANYONE TRYING TO TURN THEIR LIFE AROUND. December 24, 2004

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