Draw the Line - David Gray

Poor old David Gray. He struggled and struggled to make a name for himself before hitting it big with White Ladder. The story goes that it was his final effort before throwing in the towel and quitting professional music. He recorded it in his London apartment, an apartment that was to get substantially bigger when the album shot to number one and spawned eight singles. Not a bad effort for an album with only ten tracks.

Personally I prefer to listen to his collection of singles and EPs from 1992-1994. There's a touch more of that Irish singer-songwriter, classic folk musician feel to it with fun lyrics, catchy melodies and a bit of grit to it. (for the record - yes I do realise he's English)

I found it for $10 at a small CD store and thought I might take a chance on an artist I'd heard little from. To this day it's one of the best buys (impulse or otherwise) that I've ever made.

White Ladder was Gray's fourth studio album and with Draw the Line we're now at number eight. I'm a little sad to say that not much has changed. Gray's voice still shifts from impassioned yells to a surging moan track by track and songs, mainly ballads, are alternately driven by guitar or piano. It is exactly the kind of album I should like.

Draw the Line is an innocuous album and there's the rub. While melodies are catchy, they're instantly forgettable. Lyrics don't penetrate the consciousness. The album feels a little like he's getting a little tired of the whole game and is clumsily trying to replicate the 1998 success of White Ladder.

Perfectly pleasant as background music, Draw the Line won't stand out as a memorable album. I might play it again. Perhaps while I'm reading and want to listen to something without the risk of distraction or temptation to sing along.

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2 Stars