Singer/songwriter Damon Gough — known as Badly Drawn Boy — has released a concept record about being British. Wait, what?

Okay, so “Born in the U.K.” might not literally be about being British, but it is to Gough, as to all British people. “Do you think it really matters where you’re born,” Gough asks and answers on “Swimming Pool.” “No, it only matters that you can be proud of where you come from.”

And Gough explains this through overblown chamber-pop bombast.

After posing the question upon which the album is based, the title track, “Degrees of Separation” and “Welcome to the Overground” kick-start the album on a strong note. The songs smack strongly of Peter Gabriel, but not as though Gough is trying to emulate Gabriel — the two Brits simply share a liking for huge and atmospheric rock songs.

The album isn’t without clunkers. “A Journey from A to B” is disappointingly predictable, and “One Last Dance” closes the album on a distressingly lackluster note. Or if “lackluster” isn’t the word, “unimpressive” will suffice.

But Gough is an able singer and songwriter. The songs here are huge, airy, over-the-top and catchy in an offbeat sort of way. Of his albums, this is the most pop-oriented, which may be disappointing to fans of his older material. But for newcomers to the world of Badly Drawn Boy, this easily-accessible album might be the ideal starting point.

Smooth vocals and the album’s enormously orchestrated sound will be appreciated by fans of The Arcade Fire, Beirut and other like-minded acts, but disappoint anyone expecting something more akin to the “About a Boy” soundtrack.

This is an album best appreciated for what it is rather than in comparison to what came before.