One Plus One Is One

Import pressing of the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter's 2004 album, features 14 tracks. Twisted Nerve.

With One Plus One Is One, lovable, romantic, woolly-hat-clad eccentric Damon Gough has produced his best album since his glorious debut (The Hour of Bewilderbeast). With Badly Drawn Boy shunning LA in favor of a Manchester studio and with Andy Votel back at the production helm One Plus One is a wry, self-mocking, and exquisitely personal album that finds Gough re-evaluating the sudden fame that found him working with Joan Collins, recording soundtracks, and residing in California.

The opening title track sets the mood with Gough exhaustedly intoning "Back to being who I was before/ Open up your door/ Give me some peace/ Hold me now/ Everybody is waiting outside." Other highlights include the playfully clumsy rhythms of "Four Leaf Clover" and the epic and ingenious "Holy Grail," the latter coming complete with weaving flute, children's choir, pounding piano, and lyrics able to break a heart at half a listen. Charming, disheveled, and unpretentious throughout, One Plus One Is One is a superb comeback that will warm the hearts and delight the ears of his loyal fan base. --Christopher Barrett