I Own That CD! - Badly Drawn Boy

Great soundtracks are usually a compilation of new and old songs from a wide variety of genres and artists. Think of Pulp Fiction, Reality Bites, Stealing Beauty. All great soundtracks because those involved in those movies had strong opinions of what you were going to hear.

In 2002, Badly Drawn Boy (Damon Gough) had just come off of a stunning debut in 2000 (The Hour of Bewilderbeast) and put together a soundtrack to accompany a movie (a Hugh Grant one at that) and somewhat accompany the book it was based on - About A Boy by Nick Hornby (In his book 31 Songs, About a Boy author Nick Hornby lists Gough's track "A Minor Incident" as one of the songs that has had an effect on his life)

Featuring nine songs sung by Gough and seven interwinding instrumentals, the soundtrack flows like a book or movie. His dry, trademark vocals are accompanied by mostly acoustic and orchestral music with great drumming from Joey Waronker (drums for Beck and others) and Pete Thomas (from The Attractions).

The melody of the lead single, “Something to Talk About” is so irresistible that several of the instrumental tracks that serve as the film’s score are variations of the same melody, beautifully rendered with guitar, piano, and string arrangements. It’s a strolling, countrified song that makes you feel like walking through the market on a sunny Sunday.

“Silent Sigh” is a beautiful, lush song and the closer, "Donna & Blitzen" is an unexpected addition to any holiday/Christmas playlist I’ll create.

The instrumental songs, especially “Dead Duck” and “Rachel’s Flat” act as transitions from one scene to another (or one chapter to another). They connect songs in a different way than most albums do.

Not since Aimee Mann’s brilliant work on Magnolia has an artist released a soundtrack that was so good on its own. I own the CD and if you’d like, you can borrow it.