The record business in the UK could be said to be in pretty parlous state, the once-mighty EMI records makes a massive loss and pays of one of its stars to the tune of 20 million dollars, CD sales are falling, stupid diversions such as Pop Idol promotes tuneless pretty boys and girls as media stars, even though their music is re-hashed hits from long ago, evrywhere the ego is king and talent looks superfluous.
Yet, arriving from out of nowhere comes Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy. This is, so far, my record of the decade, from the first time I heard it on radio a couple of weeks ago it hit me as being something special, one of those songs that is much more than a throw away pop tune. I got CDs from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Hives, looking for that special tune, Last year The Strokes came close with Last Nite, some of The Hives stuff is good, but not really great. They may be neat punky guitar bands but have'nt come out with that that oh so hard to describe quality that makes it special for me.
Now, at last, along comes Badly Drawn Boy, from Bolton, chainsmoking in his tea cosy hat, yet making truly great sounds. So now I'm off to buy his CD released a couple of years back, in 2000 I think. How come I missed it then ? I remember a couple of songs he had in the charts from then, and they were good. Was it because I am always looking for the ultimat modern-day punk band so overlook anything without thrashing guitars ?
We shall see.