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album review |
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A NEW DAY AT MIDNIGHT |
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David�s music has changed slowly over the years, from the acoustic-laden tracks of A Century Ends and Flesh to his more experimental Sell, Sell, Sell and his breakthrough pop record, White Ladder.
He recently stated at a concert in the mid-west that after the success of White Ladder, �I looked down and saw what I can only describe as dancing accountants. I was horrified." David, like many artists of today, became an overnight sensation with his breakout hit �Babylon,� and everyone seemed to latch on.
A New Day at Midnight challenges this phenomenon with the creation |
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of twelve less poppy, more introspective and much different tracks. But the album�s profound lyrics, musical composition and overall mood still scream David Gray, proving yet again, the depth and potential of this Welsh singer-songwriter.
The album doesn�t contain breakout hits like �Babylon� or �Please Forgive Me� which may in fact, be for the better. The album works in a subtler way, an introspective piece of art, with humble melodies and careful musical compositions. During the recording of the album, David had to cope with his father's recent passing, and the mood of that is perfectly captured in many of the tracks such as the beautiful piano-based ballad, �Freedom� and the atmospheric �December.� David sings in �December� with great mellancholy, �All my tears will dry away� All my mind, what happened to the time? All my eyes, what happened to the skies? December.�
�Freedom� is more of a bittersweet reflection on his father�s death as he emotionally sings, �Feel a touch of grief, you stand in disbelief, steal the Earth from right beneath you. There�s nothing that lasts forever,� and continues with, �We�re running through a world that�s lost its meaning� but if I close my eyes, I can still see you dancing, laughing loud and undiminished.� |
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The opener, �Dead in the Water,� and the first potential single �Caroline,� are by far the album�s most pop-sounding tracks. More importantly, David explores introspective and reflective lyrics that compliment compelling and beautiful melodies in songs like �The Other Side,� �Last Boat to America� and �Knowhere.� Of course, any David Gray album wouldn�t be complete without his romantic tracks on love. �Real Love� is cheery, charming and romantic while �Be Mine� captures the mood of newfound love, where David so honestly sings, �Jumpin� Jesus, Holy Cow!� in a way only a few artists can. |
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A New Day at Midnight is a progressive album for his fans as well as for himself. On recording the album, David said, "The challenge is to reinvent your music, keep yourself interested, and keep yourself moving forward - to keep it about the right stuff rather than be swamped by money and attention. It means you focus on what's important. Music is far more enjoyable than those things.� Throughout the journey of A New Day at Midnight David accomplishes exactly what he set out to do: reinvent his sound, move forward and stay true to music. The result? Twelve progressive, honest and wonderful songs.
Mike King
(review taken from bbc's website) |
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