Receiving an advanced copy of David Gray’s Draw The Line to review is a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it’s David Gray, a musician that I’ve held in high regard for many, many years. A curse because it’s David Gray, Life In Slow Motion is a cherished album in my collection and is one of my favorites of all time. That being said there’s always the troubling thought in the back of your head that the new album from a musician you esteem will not be able to measure up to his earlier work. For all those with this same concern, rest at ease.
Gray has a knack for the simple. In a time of such technological advances in the music arena where more and more musicians are shying away from conventional instruments and more towards computerized accompaniment Gray proves that it’s still possible to write and record a top ten album with a simple piano line, guitar riff and small strings section. No need to run every track through the gauntlet of vocal and instrument effects. He presents a songwriting style that has gone such the way of the Dodo that it has become new and refreshing to hear.
Gray hasn’t reinvented himself with Draw The Line to try and keep up with the latest musical trends and fads but has stayed with the formula that has worked for him in the past. Namely, catchy hooks, meaningful lyrics, killer bridge and strong outro.
The album opens with the single “Fugitive”. As much as I think it’s a faux pas for the opening track of an album to be the first single, Draw The Line has a slew of tracks that could have easily been under consideration for the first single, “Fugitive” not being excluded. Gray loses some footing after “Fugitive” with the title track and “Nemesis” but finds himself on solid ground once again with “Jackdaw” and most especially “Kathleen”. “Kathleen” is a highlight of Draw The Line on its own, but combine it with the unique vocalizing style of Jolie Holland, which come in after the first piano interlude, and this track quickly becomes one of my favorites on the album. After the standard fare of “First Chance” Gray dabbles in a number of different sounds and moods. “Harder” and “Transformation” convey a more somber mood while in “Stella The Artist” Gray channels his inner Billy Joel. The album closes with the track “Full Steam Ahead” which features the fabulous Annie Lennox. The track fits well into the album but just doesn’t make it as a closing track. Lennox and Gray have such similar voices that it becomes particularly difficult to recognize which one is contributing at what time.
While Draw The Line might lack some of the intensity and consistency that Life In Slow Motion had it’s still far from a disappointment. There are still tracks that will rip your soul out with Gray’s piano builds and his raspy voice. If anything at all Gray has been missed over the past 3 years.
