David Gray:
Draw the Line

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A lighter shade of Gray

British singer/songwriter David Gray last released a proper studio album in 2005. It was called Life in Slow Motion, and it was lovely. It was also a complete waste of that title, which could be far more accurately applied to his syrupy new LP Draw the Line. Opening track “Fugitive” and the string-swept “Jackdaw” are plucky enough, but the nine other tracks mostly sink into a mire of hookless, humorless mid-tempo muck. The songs themselves aren’t all that bad (though Gray’s apparent unfamiliarity with the concept of slant rhyme is occasionally maddening—get the man some Emily Dickinson, stat!), they just sound like they were produced in the midst of a massive blood-sugar crash. This includes “Kathleen,” the could-be-stellar duet with Jolie Holland, in which Gray’s broguish tenor completely overpowers her delicate warble. And big closer “Full Steam Ahead,” a walloping duet with Annie Lennox, arrives a little too late to stoke the engines.

Listen to David Gray's "Fugitive" from Draw the Line:

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4 Comments

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By 23scadoo on September 21, 2009

I'll agree that this is not the greatest set of songs that Gray has recorded but "mid-tempo muck" is a bit harsh. "Kathleen" is a fantastic track that is only made better by the addition of Jolie Holland's voice. I will agree that it definitely trails off at the end with "Breathe" and "Transformation". The album is a bit disappointing but not a complete let down.

By David D. Robbins Jr. on September 21, 2009

Why does David Gray continue to do this? The guy who penned "A Century Ends" and "Flesh" is a genius. "White Ladder" -- not so much. I understand that artists want to evolve and people naturally have changing goals, motivations and inspirations. (I mean Bruce Springsteen doesn't want to write another "Asbury Park" and Van Morrison surely would like to have graduated from the otherworldly "Astral Weeks.") But come on. I must wholeheartedly agree with Rachael on this one. Her quick take is spot-on. Sad thing is -- I was pumped about the possibility of hearing a Gray comeback -- musically speaking. The question is: Can Gray still write or does he choose to write music this way now?

By Chris Willits on September 24, 2009

To the last two comments I must exclaim... "Are you f*@king kidding me?" David Gray has put out yet another gem in a long line of beautiful music. david you are fool to expect him to write as if he was working on another "Century Ends" and Rachael are you kidding me? Did you actually listen to the songs more than once or were you just too busy?

Draw the Line is a great addition to an already great body of work. If all of you are too dense to "get it" then shame on you for listening.

By Michelle on October 10, 2009

Gotta agree with Chris. This album is magnificent - beautiful lyrics, soulful music that makes me want to cry and dance at the same time. Equally as good as 'White Ladder' because it's a more mature body of work. Love this!

'Full Steam' and 'Kathleen' are the two best tracks on the album. Beautiful, just beautiful.