Century Ends

Century Ends

David Gray's sudden success, on the heels of <I>White Ladder</I>'s much-deserved platinum sales, has suddenly created demand for his older work. Happily, this has resulted in the rerelease of his 1992 debut record, <I>A Century Ends</I>, along with its followup, <I>Flesh</I>, and a new compilation, <I>The EP's 92-94</I>. Despite the impact <I>Century</I> had upon its release, gaining Gray a devoted following that included more than a few influential admirers (after hearing <I>Century</I>, Joan Baez proclaimed him "the best lyricist since Dylan"), the record had gone largely unnoticed until <I>Ladder</I> finally hit the mark. Leading off with the stunning anthem "Shine," Gray indelicately chews on his earnest words with a thick Welsh accent, soaking up every syllable like a sip of fine wine. Throughout, the intensity and schmaltz-free poignancy of Gray's music can be heard in the hard-edged folk of songs like "Birds Without Wings," as a simple acoustic riff drives a growling, soaring vocal through its paces. Like most of his work pre-Ladder, Gray's approach here is sparser, often featuring only voice and guitar, and even more akin to the naked poetry of folk-music soulmates like Van Morrison. There are exceptions, as the up-tempo rocker "Wisdom" could easily fit on <I>White Ladder</I> if its earthy drum sound was leavened with a little more of that record's subtle electronica. Regardless of his arrangements, Gray's music can always be counted on to avoid easy sentimentality while still rending hearts and reaching for universality. <I>--Matthew Cooke</I>