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. Blender
    60
    Get past the sometimes cloying pastoral arrangements and the often cornball sentiments and there are moments of ragged glory. [Sep 2004, p.132]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    50
    A snoozy muddle, dominated by underwritten, over-orchestrated ballads. [6 Aug 2004, p.80]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. PopMatters
    50
    Despite some truly inspired songs, One Plus One doesn't have the same dizzying effect as the genre-hopscotching Bewilderbeast or the orchestrated beauty of confident follow-ups About a Boy and Have You Fed the Fish?.
  5. The New York Times
    50
    Typically hit or miss.
  6. cokemachineglow
    48
    I have the distinct feeling I’ve heard most of the songs on this album before. Nothing here is particularly original, and nothing moves me in the way that Gough’s earlier work so did.
  7. Billboard
    40
    While there's not necessarily a bad song to be found, Gough is capable of much more than the pretty yet bland compositions that dominate "One Plus One."
  8. Playlouder
    40
    Badly Drawn Boy's been sketchy before, but never quite this artless.
  9. Alternative Press
    40
    A decidedly hit-or-miss affair. [Nov 2004, p.148]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. Uncut
    40
    There are flashes of sublimity, but too often hideous flashbacks of Jethro Tull and ELO. [Jul 2004, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews

User Reviews

All reviews »
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 »
See all user reviews »