The Best of David Gray begins – as every conversation about Gray should – with Babylon. It’s not at all difficult to see why this song has been inextricably linked with the man – it’s one of the most perfect examples of the good that came from the adult-contemporary pop crossover at the turn of the century; all electro acoustic beat-blending and lushly arranged folk harmonies wrapped in a sweetly-saccharine package.
It takes a lot to escape the long shadow of a song like that, and to his credit Gray has quite a few songs that at least etch close. Sail Away is a lovelorn sway in a smoky jazz bar, Snow in Vegas has its charms and The Other Side is poised, pensive piano pop.
Still, if there’s any real issue to be taken with The Best of David Gray, it’s that it’s essentially pointless. There’s already a greatest hits from Gray released back in 2007, not to mention the weekly-updated Spotify playlist of Gray’s most popular songs as a sort of ever-evolving hits compilation. With no clear holiday (Mother’s or Father’s Day, Christmas etc.) circulating its release, The Best of David Gray is, sadly, born under a bad sign.
By David James Young
