Altsounds - David Gray - Draw The Line [Album]

It was with mixed feelings that I delved into archetypal troubadour David Gray's 7th studio album. On the one hand, the songs from his world conquering 'White Ladder' album have sound-tracked more risible romantic comedies than I have the time or patience to mention and the man hasn't exactly been known as a mould-breaker. On the other hand however, there is a warm like-ability to his voice (so much so that I almost feel bad criticising his songs) and even the most stringent of nay-sayers couldn't deny the man has a way with a melody. "Draw The Line" couldn't be a more apt title as it finds this reviewer wavering on the fine line between indifference and pleasance.

Things start well with lead single 'Fugitive,' a strident piano ballad with one of Gray's most immediate melodies. The chorus is simple but effective and the lyrics (though straying a little too close to 'Take That' sentiment at times) work well in the context of the song. It's an uplifting track which sets the tone for much of what is to follow. The title track finds us on more familiar, downbeat ground and with the exception of a few bizarre lyrics ("here we are butt naked" indeed) there's nothing here that's particularly engaging, a trait which could be drawn against at least half the tracks here. The problem is that David Gray just doesn't seem to have any new tricks up his sleeve, he has essentially been pulling the same shapes for 15 years now. It can't be denied that a large number of these songs are quite lovely and (with the exception of mid-album dirge 'First Chance') nearly every song here rings with an emotional warmth and melodic maturity, but the same could be said for any David Gray album.

That's not to say there are no moments to be savoured though, with the beautiful, plaintive 'Nemesis' coming across like a ghostly out-take from Springsteens 'Nebraska' album and the closing duet with Annie Lennox ('Full Stream') cutting loose with some real grit, something I'd loved to have heard more of. Then there is the hauntingly fragile 'Kathleen', a duet with former 'Be Good Tanya's' member Jolie Holland that hints at the desolation and heartache of 'This Years Love' without coming across as a carbon copy. Best of all though has to be the bitter, sparse mandolin led ditty 'Breathe' which manages to shift gears almost on a whim between transcendent chorus and cold, gothic verse, it's probably the best thing I've ever heard David Gray put to record.

It's obvious the spectre of Van Morrison hangs heavy over Gray's head this time around and it's certainly a complimentary comparison for the most part. The melancholic whining of yore has been replaced by a renewed sense of romantic optimism that results in a mood not too dissimilar to "Van The Man's" classic 'Moondance' album. That's not to say there are not moments of darkness, only that here the light prevails, however it speaks volumes that in general Gray is infinitely more interesting when lamenting life rather than celebrating it. The track that sums this up is 'Jackdaw,' a happy little love song with absolutely no backbone which sounds like a Chris Rea song being covered by Billie Joel. Don't get me wrong, it's a perfectly nice song and would probably sound great sound-tracking a barbecue or 'grown-up' dinner party but surely Mr Gray has already mastered this kind of song, why feel the need to churn out so many weak imitations.

So all in all a solid record with a handful of wonderful songs, a few stinkers and a bunch of filler. Some would accuse "Draw The Line" of treading water musically and covering ground long since mastered, and they would be right, but David Gray is here working with a new band for the first time in years and thus the man can be excused. He's finding his feet again and has returned to comfortable pastures while he figures out where he wants to go next, it might not be the most courageous move in the book, but I'm betting it's one you can take to the bank.

Tracklisting:-
1. Fugitive
2. Draw The Line
3. Nemesis
4. Jackdaw
5. Kathleen
6. First Chance
7. Harder
8. Transformation
9. Stella The Artist
10. Breathe
11. Full Steam

Recommended:-
Fugitive, Nemesis, Kathleen, Breathe, Full Steam