David Gray: "The One I Love"

[singingsparrow]

This will be the lead single from his new studio album "Life In Slow Motion" due September 12th.

This will be going for adds in late July.

No word if this is a "Hot R.E.M cover" or an original.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

[allow that]

I loved his first album. His second album bored me beyond the point of interest, with the exception of "Last Boat To America." I think he could do well if he manages something with the catchiness of, say, "Please Forgive Me."

[NORTHCOAST]

I like David Gray. I'll be curious to hear what he's come up with. I'm gonna pull out his CDs and give them a spin. Thanks for the info.

[iceman]

I'm curious to hear this, I really liked "Be Mine".

[singingsparrow]

jerseyboy said:

I loved his first album. His second album bored me beyond the point of interest, with the exception of "Last Boat To America." I think he could do well if he manages something with the catchiness of, say, "Please Forgive Me."

"White Ladder" and "A New Day Of Midnight" were David Gray's fourth and fifth albums, respectively.

He released three albums which flopped hard commerically before "White Ladder" gave him a huge breakthrough. Gray is more punk-ish and grittier-sounding on his older material.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

[allow that]

singingsparrow said:

jerseyboy said:

I loved his first album. His second album bored me beyond the point of interest, with the exception of "Last Boat To America." I think he could do well if he manages something with the catchiness of, say, "Please Forgive Me."

"White Ladder" and "A New Day Of Midnight" were David Gray's fourth and fifth albums, respectively.

He released three albums which flopped hard commerically before "White Ladder" gave him a huge breakthrough. Gray is more punk-ish and grittier-sounding on his older material.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

I actually knew that... what I meant was that they were his 1st and 2nd major label commerical albums (not counting Lost Songs. I should have clarified that, my mistake. Actually though, my favorite David Gray song is from before his breakthrough: "Late Night Radio." Now there's a monster smash that never was...

[Deleted]

rope.zfmq.fimc.net/afamusic/davidgray_theoneilove56.ram

[43dudleyvillas]

Thanks, Orange Clouds! I actually really like the clip. I'm surprised to hear the country-folk-rock feel on it -- it has a real old-school feel to it, but the instrumentation sounds more modern. The song sounds a little like something Bruce Springsteen might have sung in the 80s, except that David Gray's vocals are so pure. From the clip, I don't see it doing anything on Hot AC, unfortunately, but it should be a AAA hit.

I'm a really big David Gray fan -- I liked White Ladder better than A New Day at Midnight ("Last Boat to America" was definitely one of my favorite songs on the album, and I loved "The Other Side," too), so I'm really look forward to Life in Slow Motion!

[Steve]

True to his sound and pleasant. Top 15 AAA. Not enough punch to go further.

[43dudleyvillas]

Full version: mms://66.186.0.101/allaccess/davionei.wma

I really like this, though maybe it gets a little repetitive in the end. Can't wait for the album!

[allow that]

I like this, but it'll take it becoming a hit to keep me really interested. I heard this in The Gap the other day.... random.

[reception]

It's featured on the Radio & Records EPK.

[jarradb]

Should go top 10 on AAA I believe, however, I dont know about top 5.

Thats my prediction :)

JB

[singingsparrow]

Wow, this single is in a contest with "Good Is Good" for the chart's next #1.

I really would like to see him win the dual since Sheryl Crow has had more #1 hits here. He's in need of another chart-topper.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

[Radical347]

Agreed, especially since half of the tracks from his previous album should have gone to #1 but were never released. >:(

[NORTHCOAST]

43dudleyvillas said:

Thanks, Orange Clouds!  I actually really like the clip.  I'm surprised to hear the country-folk-rock feel on it -- it has a real old-school feel to it, but the instrumentation sounds more modern.  The song sounds a little like something Bruce Springsteen might have sung in the 80s, except that David Gray's vocals are so pure.  From the clip, I don't see it doing anything on Hot AC, unfortunately, but it should be a AAA hit. 

I'm a really big David Gray fan -- I liked White Ladder better than A New Day at Midnight ("Last Boat to America" was definitely one of my favorite songs on the album, and I loved "The Other Side," too), so I'm really look forward to Life in Slow Motion!

I was listening to the song as I read this post.... and was thinking that the song sounded like something Bruce would sing. Great minds think alike! Anyone buy the album this week? I was tempted to pick it up since it was only $11.99 at Best Buy. But haven't read or heard much buzz about it and decided to wait.

[jarradb]

The new album was reviewed in the paper here. 4 and a half big ones it got.. awesome stuff for David Grey.. who has had moderate success here and is currently touring here (or.. was :S).

Call me outta date, but i just picked up 'White Ladder' the other day. Saw it for 9.95 and I couldnt miss that bargain! Took it home, loaded it in and it ROCKS!!! Greatest artist I've listened too since I got onto Dave Matthews Band in 2003.

Sad thing is, like the Dave Matthews Band, had a lot of chances to get onto him earlier on (Babylon was played quite regularly on the radio here), however, everytime it came on I turned it off as I thought he was boring ;).

JB

[JJ]

Did he release Sail Away in the US? And from what album is it? I remember seeing the video here in Brazil a few years ago and thinking that was a great catchy tune. I also thought that David was a very good vocalist.

Oh, I like this new song also.

[Radical347]

Yep, it was from White Ladder. The only chart it made it on here was AAA.

[NORTHCOAST]

Here's an online review from Bullz-eye Music Reviews:

David Gray: Life In Slow Motion

4 out of 5 stars

Unbeknownst to many here in the States, Englishman David Gray has been making music since 1993. It took him six years to gain mainstream recognition, as Dave Matthews courted him to the then-new ATO Records just in time for his breakthrough White Ladder in 1999. Although it wasn’t an immediate hit in the U.S., White Ladder eventually spun off a string of radio and video hits, including “Babylon” and the movie soundtrack staple “This Year’s Love.” While he doesn’t have near the catalog, it’s impossible not to draw comparisons between Gray and the likes of Ryan Adams, Billy Bragg, or even Van Morrison. His unquestionable ability within this singer-songwriter crowd is an enduring hint that a career-defining masterpiece might be on the horizon. In the meantime, Life in Slow Motion stands on its own as a very solid effort.

Only occasionally resorting to electronica, Gray keeps it simple this time out and primarily acoustic. A hushed synthesizer ushers in the central piano of “Alibi,” a vocal treasure that picks up, for all intent and purposes, right where 2002’s A New Day at Midnight left off. For whatever reason, however, the singing herein seems more vital and burning. “Tell the Repo Man and the stars above that you’re the one I love,” Gray establishes on the first single “The One I Love”, while abundant strings unfold in a very Tunnel of Love kind of way. “Slow Motion” takes a while to build, but once there, the chorus is a thing of beauty- an ultra-dramatic crescendo of strings and horns, with a sparse slide guitar and Gray’s blistering high-end above it all. “Bada dat, dada dat, dada dat, da da da,” never sounded so good!

A tip of the genre hat goes to Bob Dylan on the strikingly restrained “From Here You Can Almost See the Sea” complete with Gray’s best falsetto endeavor. The jumpiest entry within Life in Slow Motion appears way late on “Hospital Food”, an ill-advised title but a great cut that brims with Elvis Costello and The Attractions flavor. “Tell me something I don’t know,” Gray jests, while full-band accompaniment spills in behind him. The closer “Disappearing World” is an uncommon rocking moment along an otherwise serene course.

One could very much say that Gray has borrowed the song-crafting strengths from Ryan Adams’ Heartbreaker or last year’s Ray Lamontagne record (Trouble) in building his finest mission to date. Whether the aforementioned masterpiece is still somewhere in Gray’s future is anyone’s guess. The good news is that there aren’t many artists writing this high a caliber of songs these days that would even call for that wait.

www.bullz-eye.com/cdreviews/2redrocker/david_gray-life_in_slow_motion.htm

[jarradb]

What singles has David Grey released so far?

And if possible, where did they chart on AAA (or HotAC if possible)

JB

[singingsparrow]

jarradb said:

What singles has David Grey released so far?

And if possible, where did they chart on AAA (or HotAC if possible)

JB

I don't know the peak positions, but here's the singles:

*******SELL, SELL, SELL*******

1: "Late Night Radio" (definitely did not chart, the album was a cold hard flop)

*******WHITE LADDER*******

1: "Babylon"
2: "This Year's Love" (international release only)
3: "Please Forgive Me"
4: "Sail Away"

*******A NEW DAY AT MIDNIGHT*******

1: "The Other Side"
2: "Be Mine"
3: "Caroline"

*******LIFE IN SLOW MOTION*******

1: "The One I Love"

***

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

[jarradb]

Thank you Noah! :)

I know Babylon went to number one on the AAA charts. Good stuff.

And David Gray is currently number 8 with a debut on the Australian Album Charts with 'Life In Slow Motion'. Great stuff :)

JB

[43dudleyvillas]

I really love this album.  I know a couple of reviews have knocked it for being beautiful but inaccessible...but I don't quite it see that way.  I think the album is kind of a lyrical exploration of what it feels like to be semi-conscious, whether it's because you're at the brink of sleep or death, and there's a lot of wondering about what the place you're going to will feel like.  I don't know if that makes any sense, but that's how I see the album.  It's very melancholy and weary, but it really is beautifully done, and I think it's fascinating.

Anyway, my favorite tracks are "Alibi," "Lately," "Life in Slow Motion" and "Ain't No Love," which are all ballads, and "Nos Da Cariad," which will have a lot of people thinking about Coldplay.  I also really like "The One I Love."  I actually can't think of a track I don't like on the album. 

"Alibi" is the 2nd single in the UK -- we'll see if that's what they choose for the US. 

ETA:  Life in Slow Motion debuted at #1 in the UK last week, with 114,258 copies sold.  It's in a bit of a tight race with Bon Jovi for this week's #1, but was ahead in midweeks.  In the US, the album debuted at #16, with 57,682 copies sold (57,807 copies sold overall).

[singingsparrow]

43dudleyvillas said:

I really love this album.  I know a couple of reviews have knocked it for being beautiful but inaccessible...but I don't quite it see that way.  I think the album is kind of a lyrical exploration of what it feels like to be semi-conscious, whether it's because you're at the brink of sleep or death, and there's a lot of wondering about what the place you're going to will feel like.  I don't know if that makes any sense, but that's how I see the album.  It's very melancholy and weary, but it really is beautifully done, and I think it's fascinating.

Anyway, my favorite tracks are "Alibi," "Lately," "Life in Slow Motion" and "Ain't No Love," which are all ballads, and "Nos Da Cariad," which will have a lot of people thinking about Coldplay.  I also really like "The One I Love."  I actually can't think of a track I don't like on the album. 

"Alibi" is the 2nd single in the UK -- we'll see if that's what they choose for the US. 

ETA:  Life in Slow Motion debuted at #1 in the UK last week, with 114,258 copies sold.  It's in a bit of a tight race with Bon Jovi for this week's #1, but was ahead in midweeks.  In the US, the album debuted at #16, with 57,682 copies sold (57,807 copies sold overall).

I absolutely agree. This is probably his most melancholy album to date, but it takes on quite a lot of atmospheric themes with grace.

David Gray has yet to cease to amaze me. It would be nice to see him return somewhat to his raw rock side, or balance the "pre-White Ladder" sound with his new sound, but I find him to be one of the best songwriters of this generation.

I hope "The One I Love" hitting #1 on AAA will encourage the single to be pushed to Hot AC and possibly even CHR/Pop. It is very radio-friendly (the only real radio-friendly cut from the album) and if similar-sounding artists like Howie Day could succeed off more mellow singles, I don't see why David Gray can't get another hit here.

And I can certainly see "The One I Love" crossing over. It's a beautiful love song, dreamy yet Gray's vocals showing the same strong sense of urgency and wonder, which can arouse many emotions in all sheep-eyed and lovesick listeners out there.

#16 is a very strong debut here for David Gray here considering his lack of hit single from his previous album and lack of real promotional push. I think this really shows that Gray has a real dedicated fanbase, which is precisely the key ingredient to producing more potential hits and career longevity.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

[jarradb]

Heard 'The One I Love' for the first time yesterday. Damn fine listen! CD stores are selling the new album at 15 dollars (instead of 25!) so I'm gonna go out and get it. Sounds like a great listen.

Fallen down to number 10 this week on album charts in Oz. Still very good. Since found out that White Ladder went to Number 32 here in 2000 and the album after that went to 21. Very respectable entries for Mr Gray.

JB