One Plus One Is One
by Badly Drawn Boy
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 23
  3. Negative: 3 out of 23
  1. Pitchfork
    30
    With their staid textures, the songs tend to blend into one another, sounding at best like a spiritless hodgepodge of About a Boy's weaker moments.
  2. The A.V. Club
    30
    At times, the album sounds like a lost collaboration between Nick Drake and Jethro Tull, and one that might have best stayed lost.
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    20
    One Plus One is One sounds like an attempt to make a more serious statement, but with little substance invested in it. The result is Badly Drawn Boy's first boring album.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
  1. Ricko
    Oct 26, 2011
    6
    A collection of acoustic songs - very much stripped down in comparison to previous efforts. There are some nice moments on this but overall itA collection of acoustic songs - very much stripped down in comparison to previous efforts. There are some nice moments on this but overall it lacks ambition. I lost interest in the artist after this record.… Full Review »
  2. Alexis
    Sep 21, 2005
    2
    I wanted to like this album, I really did. "Bewilderbeast" is one of my favorite albums, period; but, both compared to his previous work and I wanted to like this album, I really did. "Bewilderbeast" is one of my favorite albums, period; but, both compared to his previous work and on its own, "One Plus One" is nothing but a dud. The lyrics are so trite and cliche it's almost unbelievable that anyone could find them appealing - I find myself cringing as I listen to this. The songwriting is good at best, but more often uninspiring and derivative - and the awful lyrics ruin what might otherwise be the few decent songs. I have tried listening to this CD several times in the hope that it might get better, as some reviewers have suggested, but it just doesn't. Disappointing is right.… Full Review »
  3. matta
    Jul 19, 2005
    7
    Not as strong as his previous outings but still, pretty inventive stuff. Plus, I'm a little biased because I saw him live and not only Not as strong as his previous outings but still, pretty inventive stuff. Plus, I'm a little biased because I saw him live and not only did he play 14 classics from previous albums, but then he came back out and played this entire album from start to finish. Who else does that? No one. That is why I love him, he is a genius, and Pitchfork are still a bunch of morons.… Full Review »
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