CD Review: David Gray

David Gray

“Draw the Line” (Downtown)

3 stars

David Gray returns from a hiatus with his eighth full-length effort and first in four years.

The British folk-rocker made a splash stateside with 2000’s “White Ladder” on the strength of the hit single “Babylon.” He released two CDs after that, but neither had the mainstream success in the United States that “White Ladder” did.

“Draw the Line” may find the same fate, but it won’t be due to the quality of the material. Gray puts his soulful voice and emotional lyrics to full effect over melancholy rock. He relies less on electronics – helping his warmth shine that much brighter.

Disc opener “Fugitive” is a soaring anthem that will please fans, as will the soft ballad “Nemesis,” which features Gray’s typically colorful lyrics: “I am the photograph you found in your burned down house” and “I am the smell you’re trying to wash out of your hair.”

The sweeping “First Chance” finds Gray in search of redemption, “Stella The Artist” is passionate and upbeat, the mid-tempo “Draw The Line” is earthy and organic, and the ballad “Breathe” changes tempos in all the right places.

David Gray manages to be admirably idiosyncratic yet completely accessible – and “Draw The Line” is a real treat because of that.