Richard Dawson End of the Middle
Richard Dawson's End of the Middle opens as a sequence of domestic vignettes that trade theatrical sweep for close observation, and the record's quiet power answers the question of whether it succeeds with a clear, measured yes. Across a single professional review, critics note that the album earns its emotional force by mining everyday British life and scenes of family across generations, turning repetition of behaviour into narrative gravity.
Reviewers consistently praise spare arrangements and Dawson's poetical voice, with standout tracks emerging as focal points: “Polytunnel” captures allotment catharsis with textured detail, “Bullies” confronts cyclical violence passed from father to son, and songs like “Gondola”, “More than real” and “Bolt” reinforce the record's human warmth. The Observer highlights how these best songs on End of the Middle feel immediate and humane, credited to storytelling that favors intimacy over grand concept. The album earned an 80/100 consensus score across 1 professional reviews, signalling strong critical reception for its craft and focus.
While not expansive in production, the record's restraint is deliberate: reviewers found repetition of behaviour and intergenerational themes central to its emotional logic, and the poetic lyricism keeps the collection coherent. For readers searching for an End of the Middle review or weighing whether the album is worth listening to, the critical consensus emphasizes that Dawson's pared-back approach yields some of his most affecting songs and makes the record a quietly compelling entry in his catalog.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Polytunnel
1 mention
"finding catharsis on an allotment ( Polytunnel )"— The Observer (UK)
Bullies
1 mention
"a boy getting into fights at school just as his father once did (Bullies)"— The Observer (UK)
Gondola
1 mention
"a grandmother wondering where the time has gone ( Gondola )"— The Observer (UK)
finding catharsis on an allotment ( Polytunnel )
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Bolt
Gondola
Bullies
The question
Boxing Day sales
Knot
Polytunnel
Removals van
More than real
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What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 11 critics who reviewed this album
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Critic's Take
Phil Mongredien writes in measured, admiring tones that Richard Dawson's End of the Middle finds its best tracks in domestic, quietly astonished scenes - “Polytunnel” stands out for its allotment catharsis and textured detail, while “Bullies” nails the cyclical violence passed from father to son. He praises Dawson's spare arrangements and storytelling, arguing these qualities make the best songs on End of the Middle feel immediate and humane. The result reads like a series of intimate vignettes rather than grand concept pieces, which is precisely the album's strength.
Key Points
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Polytunnel is the best song for its cathartic allotment vignette and emotional immediacy.
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The album's core strengths are Dawson's storytelling, spare arrangements, and portraits of ordinary British life.
Themes
