The words Badly, Drawn and Boy are combined with the words Mercury, Music, Prize and Winning almost as often as they are with the phrase 'shambolic live shows'.  Well, a couple of years after Damon Gough's debut long-player 'The Hour Of Bewilderbeast' received its coveted award, we find Badly Drawn Boy's backing band improving that patchy live reputation - although Damon's overstretched singing voice sounds as misplaced as ever during some of the high notes.

The main factor that has changed since Damon's experimental-yet-playful first album was released seems to be his adopting of standard songwriting techniques.  The trouble with his recent material - and this show - is that his songwriting just isn't up to the standard that the first CD hinted at.  All too often, the set lapses into the tired formulae of a middle-aged musician and his backslapping session musician band mates.  Damon tells the audience they are one of the best he has played to on this tour, but all they are doing is standing there - you can almost visualize the CD covers in their hands, ready to be placed on to future coffee tables at dinner parties.  The standing crowd look as if they're jealous of the others sat in the upper circle, gently tapping their hands up there to the tame rhythms (but not so much so that anyone would notice such a zealous display of public gyration).  I am older than most of the people in this audience, yet I feel so young in comparison.  Live music to hold your girlfriend's hand to - no compliment.

Badly Drawn Boy is undoubtedly a fine musician - his electric piano playing is proof enough of that - but this performance lacks urgency and dynamics entirely.  Even the eagerly anticipated 'Pissing/Spitting In The Wind' (delete as appropriate) feels miles away from the country-tinged album version, or the well-arranged single recording.  Badly Drawn Boy was at his best when songs were concepts, not merely pieces of music - and that is all we are presented with tonight.  True hints of his potential are few and far between, such as the early rendition of 'Everybodys Stalking' (by far the best song this evening).

Damon's in-between song banter is as quirky and unpredictable as ever, although the sincerity of his words has to be questioned: does he tell every audience they are possibly the best ones he's played to?  Also, his rant about the state of the record industry and the pop charts would carry greater clout were it not followed by a forthcoming single weaker than any of the material he has issued so far.  A performance of shambolic genius is more desirable than one of well-played mediocrity.  A shame.

Review: Andrew Morrison