A Century Ends

iTunes Review

Though it garnered little attention at the time – thousands of albums are released each year to an indifferent public – David Gray’s debut album was an emotional time-bomb awaiting someone to light its fuse and send it into the public square. From the opening chords of “Shine” to the finality of “It’s All Over,” A Century Ends is the work of a young artist finding his voice amongst an abundant love for his fellow singer-songwriters and his own yearning, romantic soul. He has the unquestionable conviction of youth on his side and its optimism is spine-chilling. “Gathering Dust,” the album’s finest cut, recalls Van Morrison in its sweeping, open strummed chords, its loose improvisational vocal tangents, and its restless wandering spirit. “Wisdom” is the nearest Gray comes to convention here, with its grand chorus and use of a traditional rock arrangement. Mostly, he sits with his acoustic guitar and lets his thoughts ramble. Delivered in a raspy Welsh accent that would be finessed in later recordings, the songs (the title track, “Lead Me Upstairs”) have a palpable urgency that enhances their bare arrangements.