Does anyone give a toss about Badly Drawn Boy anymore? A lot of people, judging by the sell-out crowd at The Village tonight, though I have to say I’m a little surprised.
But then, I’m a touched biased when it comes to matters Badly Drawn. Initially attracted by his first few shamble-folk charmers and the “British Beck” tag, my high hopes were quickly and mercilessly crushed by the realisation that BDB is Beck for people who hate beats and fun and pop music, but love earnestness and Turin Brakes. He soon began to resemble a spiritual cousin to Gomez – both acts being Mercury-approved plodders, supposedly on a similar creative trip to the Beta Band, but gradually exposed as bland AOR stick-in-the-muds over time.
However, tonight’s performance left me (partially) convinced that the man in the tea-cosy hat might have more to serve up than dour wholemeal crud. My reservations about his previous recorded output remain, but tonight it’s presented with an edge that’s missing from his studio work. If this spikier Badly Drawn Boy has found a way to the mixing desk, his forthcoming Born In The UK record may see his potential – finally – fulfilled.
My cynicism is deflated almost immediately; the title track from the forthcoming album (which opens the gig) is damn good, moving from traditional mid-tempo BDB fare to a giddy garage-band thrash, slipping in a cheeky nod to ‘God Save The Queen’ (the anthem, not the Sex Pistols song) on the way.
BDB’s standards remain solid throughout, but there are a couple of particularly sublime moments. His acoustic rendition of ‘Once Around The Block’ is extraordinary – a teeth-gritted, sneering vocal performance gives the track a delicious (and previously-hinted at) nasty streak, removing all traces of the ham-fisted romanticism that tainted his debut record. The elongated, jubilant intro to ‘Fall In A River’ is also sublime, the type of rambling groove that Gough should go off on more often.
Deduct points for the brief rendition of ‘Like A Virgin’, though. His voice isn’t up to it, and the only ironic thing about this ironic cover is that, for all he may throw knowing winks to the crowd, BDB’s albums have all cried out for a song as dynamic as this Madonna classic.
But let’s be generous: while minor imperfections may remain, Badly Drawn Boy did enough tonight to earn himself a reprieve. For now.