It's hard to believe that this guy has only been successful in Ireland and that this album is his fourth. It has already been a huge success so no need to wonder if it will catapult him in the limelight of minds of the masses, it's just a shame it took so long.
After a variety of record company wrangles, this album was finally released on Dave Matthews’ IHT label in Ireland and then on East West in Britain. It managed before this to sell 20,000 copies in the UK without any marketing or airplay.
The album itself is stunning and has something for everybody in it. In a departure from his usual acoustic guitar sounding albums, White Ladder has gone for the acoustic guitar and married the keyboards, which blend together to give beautiful pieces of music and lyrics. This marrying up of the guitar and keyboards is also due to the collaboration of Gray and Clune.
His songwriting ability was never in doubt so 'Please forgive me' if I say that the first track is a trance dance number which is melodic, and lyrical. If you're going to 'Babylon' stay in first and listen to this beautiful heartfelt love song with a blend of keyboard and guitar to get your juices flowing. 'This years love' has got to be one of the best tracks on the album along with the rehashed 'Say hello wave goodbye' (originally sung by Soft Cell in 1982).
David Grays voice is also brilliant and has been compared to a young Van Morrison (something, I imagine, he will be sick of now). It has that certain something, but you can't quite put your finger on what it is. No matter, he still has a fantastic voice.
I know, without a doubt, that this album will still be played in twenty years time and still be considered fresh and original. All the tracks on this album are memorable for one reason or another and it is the type of album you never tire of listening to. Sometimes I buy an album listen to it constantly for 3 months and then hardly ever play it again. This album, I bought over 8 months ago, and I still play it at least 3 times a week. Fantastic album, fantastic lyrics, and great melodies.
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An excellent opinion! in fact one of the very best i have read on a musical topic! I have my doubts about this album but it does highlight the importance for marketing in a successful record! This can be good but it can also lead to many a crap bands doing too well! Just out of interest are you a Dave Matthews Band fan?
EnglishPatient 05.02.2001 01:05
Despite the naysayers, this album will indeed stand the test of time. I just wonder how the next record will fare..the current climate doesn't seem to allow for acts to have real success for more than 1 or 2 albums. And "My Oh My", what a great review ;-)
wiggglypufff 04.02.2001 15:29
Hi! Thanks for the comment you left me. I have to own up to neglecting my housework in order to Ciao so often, but as you say, it's so addictive, (and so much more fun than housework too). Good op btw, keep up the hard work :)
A major artist in Ireland, David Gray has a loyal but somewhat smaller following ... more
throughout the rest of the world. Since his 1994 debut albumA Century Ends, he has consistently produced quality, folk-tinged songs that showcase his one major talent--a r...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
A major artist in Ireland, David Gray has a loyal but somewhat smaller following ... more
throughout the rest of the world. Since his 1994 debut album A Century Ends, he has consistently produced quality, folk-tinged songs that showcase his one major talent--a ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
A major artist in his native Ireland, David Gray has a loyal but somewhat smaller ... more
following throughout the rest of the world. Since his 1994 debut albumA Century Ends, he has consistently produced quality, folk-tinged songs which showcase his one major...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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
Feb 4th, 2001
(Feb 10th, 2001)
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