I've heard Babylon of course, who hasn't? And to be fair it's a decent song, I don't mind it at all if it comes on the radio between rounds of pop master, better that than Ed Sheehan or Robbie Williams. I've never really listened to it though, because well, it's David Gray... isn't he a bit of a joke figure or am I getting him mixed up with Craig David? Either way I thought he was pop, not folk...
Prejudice, preconception and misconception aside there is no reason really why I shouldn't like Craig, erm I mean David Gray. Except...
Well, there is that voice and accent. If he turned up at the local folk club dressed in a folky jumper and singing like he does I'd probably think fair enough, that's how you're supposed to sound. Sing us a shanty. But he sounds a bit to me like someone doing an impression of a folk singer. A bit like Jake Bugg does, only Jake Bugg does it better.
At various points during the album it's alright but then there is a jarring inflection or affectation that is quite off putting. A shame because some of the songs are promising, even alright and when he does it straight it's listenable, well more listenable.
I found the suite of songs to be fair to middling, nothing stuck with me or struck me. As with Jason Isbell previously on this thread, the earnest singer songwriter thread is pretty crowded. I've always got room for one more though, if it's the right one. Not sure David Gray is the one, it's a 5 from me.
Although interest slightly piqued and my mind made up about Century Ends I thought I'd give White Ladder a listen while writing this up. I like it more. There's still the odd vocal tic that grates a bit but sounds like he is more confident, more rounded. This one could be a grower which might lead me back to the earlier stuff.