I am a 30 year old journalist and enjoy reviewing albums and bands and do this as part of my daily w...
I am a 30 year old journalist and enjoy reviewing albums and bands and do this as part of my daily work.
Member since:22.06.2008
Reviews:60
Members who trust:1
'Life In Slow Motion' is a justly poetic titled album considering its content. This is English Singer David Gray's 7th album after his last one (A New Day At Midnight) was virtually ignored.
As a die hard fan of White Ladder (the album that brough Gray real acclaim), I was concerned whether he could really pull it off again. The album starts of slowly but well with the single 'Alibi': this song has a real live concert feel to it; strings and piano filling out the sound and mounting to a thorough and fat musical climax at the end.
The album continues with a slightly more contempory sounding 'The One I Love'(also a single). In my opinion this song is the stronger of the two so far. It has a very romantic/hippie ballad feel and the subtle guitar in this is lovely. It also has some really nice percussion features teamed with some lovely violin playing. The song is a bit Del Amitri in feel, and has a slow building happiness to it.
By the third song 'Lately', the album really begins to lift off and at this point I started beginning to trust old David again, relaxing comfortably in the gravelly warmth of his Joe Cocker-ish voice. This song starts with just some gentle strings and Davids emotionally evocative voice. As the song builds there are some really neat flute and chime sounds that give it a roaming airy gypsy feel. It really is one of the high points of this album lyrically, vocally and musically and for me is comparable in feel to some of the classics from White Ladder.
Although the fourth song is really thought provoking lyrically the music kind of irritates me. It features a bongo/drum beat at the start that thankfully blends nicely into some other instruments as the mixture of the song builds. But something about the tempo on this one that makes me slightly dislike it although vocally it is really impactful with some really nice backing vocals.
So 'Slow Motion' begins with just a piano and I am back feeling comfortable again-expecially as his soothing melancholy tones begin to carry the song to its full intent. This song is really contemplative and wistful in feel and although you will note that blasted bongo coming in again once the song starts kicking in, I forgive it because the beginning is so charming. This song is truly lovely but after about half way through it does blend a bit into the last one.
'From Here You Can Almost See The Sea' also starts really beautifully with just a string sound accompanied by his voice. It has a real celtic feel and I am starting to wonder why he doesnt just stay an accoustic artist. I suppose this would get a bit dull after a while though.
The album continues in this soft melancholy reminiscent way with songs like 'Aint No Love' which will really steal your breath away (although I dont like the children/playground sample at the beginning). Again this song is mainly David and his piano and this is really where he works best and this is another song that is just as beautiful as This Years Love, just as poignant and just as sorrowful.
'Hospital Food' is probably the most upbeat song on this album, it has that same old Levellers/Del Amitri/Folk feel to it which is really nice. Although this song isnt my favourite I think it could be the catchiest.
In general this album is really nice for when you are in one of those moods where you want to feel sulky or romantic or contemplative. Although it isnt better than White Ladder, I think it can definitely be considered on a par with it.
Summary: Nearly as good as White Ladder!
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While it's truistic to state that success breeds success, for his seventh album,Life In ... more
Slow Motion, David Gray appears creditably disinclined to exploit the mainstream global success ofWhite Ladderby languidly adhering to any prescripted expectations....
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While it's truistic to state that success breeds success, for his seventh album, Life In ... more
Slow Motion, David Gray appears creditably disinclined to exploit the mainstream global success of White Ladder by languidly adhering to any prescripted expectatio...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Wide range of music; some truly great tracks; consistently high quality Disadvantages: Very few, perhaps only that it is very slighty shorter than previous albums
Advantages: Wide range of music; some truly great tracks; consistently high quality Disadvantages: Very few, perhaps only that it is very slighty shorter than previous albums
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