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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Hardly anybody--with the notable exception of Irish songstress Mary Black, who subsequently turned out a rather splendid cover version of "Shine" some years later--bought A Century Ends, David Gray's debut album. Emerging in 1993, at a time when an uncharacteristically contented British public was bending its knees and twanging its braces along to the larksome antics of Britpop, there was little space on the living-room shelf for the torturous boudoir ponderings of a young-but-gnarly Dylan soundalike. There are pretty moments, but this is a record where angst and lust reign supreme--"Debauchery" is a salty tale of having it away on a rug with an alcoholically-lubricated lady ferry boat operative (sung in a voice pitched somewhere between the Waterboy's Mike Scott and celebrated naval fish-finger salesperson Captain Birdseye) while "Lead Me Upstairs" is a courtship tale which dispenses with first-date niceties. Britain later changed its mind about David Gray--after all, more people in the UK own his 1998 album White Ladder than own a ladder--but A Century Ends is a surprising rediscovery, a record begging further investigation for anybody whose idea of a good night in involves the solitary rolling of Rizlas along to Astral Weeks or Blood on the Tracks. --Kevin Maidment
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
David Gray's debut album, A Century Ends, is a true modern classic. With its mixture of acoustic-based protest songs, driving folk-rockers and heartbreaking tales of love, it is clear where Gray's influences lie: Bob Dylan, Van Morrisson and Nick Drake. This, simply, is an incredible collection of raw, emotion soaked songs which tug at the heart strings and refuse to let go. Standout songs are 'Shine' - a magnificent, soaring anthem - 'Debauchery' - a beautiful, desperate plea for love - 'Gathering Dust' - one of the most heartbreaking songs ever and 'Birds Without Wings' - a defiant statement to a callous, uncaring world. These reflective songs are interspersed with louder, more rockier songs such as 'A Century Ends', 'Wisdom' and 'It's All Over' all of which are incredibly powerful. One song - 'Let The Truth Sting' highlights Gray's true lyrical genius, as he hits the listener with image upon beautiful image. This man deserves to be compared with Bob Dylan and the other great solo artists of the past, he is a genius: pure and simple. These songs are life affirming, which is exactly why I urge you to buy this album. You'll thank me afterwards.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album was David's first and in most fan's opinion his best. Powerful poetic lyrics make this album mysterious in the fact that David Gray took another 10 years to break through. It was in fact "Shine" the first song on this album that Irish DJ Donal Dineen played on No Disco to start the cult following Gray developed in Ireland. Other tracks of note include "Debauchery" and the title track "A Century Ends". If you own "White Ladder" you simply have to buy this album to see where Gray started and to hear him at his best.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is an album which defines the word album. From the first chord in shine, to the dae out on it's all over, you realise you have been in a place were very few albums take you. This album will hit you emotionally, those been shine, lead me upstairs but also you have the happier one's like wisdom and a century ends. this album will make you apprciate music at its finest, and also it should give you respect for a man who deserves so much more. There is not one song on this album which is terrible, and every song is fantastic. if you have not heard this album then you need this, its almost like medication. a century ends is an album quite frankly of the century
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Stunning
Every song ond David Gray's debut album is simply beautiful. The lyrics and the melodies combined with Gray's raspy vocals make it so easy for the listener to enjoy the record at... Read more
Published 1 month ago by HB
Oh Dear!!
I am a big DG fan but this is poor. If you like the idea of going to a pub and listening to someone drunk in the corner who is on a downer making up tunes as they go along, then... Read more
Published on 6 April 2010 by Mr. J. O'neill
Undisappointing debut
Don't compare this to anything he's done since because it just work that way. This is David Gary debut, a raw, folky compilation that combines passion and anger as much as it... Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2005 by kate
Good, but not that good
This album in my opinion is David Gray's worst album - that's not to say it's bad, but not as good as subsequent albums. Read more
Published on 4 April 2005 by Mr. P. J. Hannington
fantastic!!!!
What a beautiful album!, its perfect if you feel like chilling out on your own or over a bottle of wine with friends. Its great to listen to, or to have as background music. Read more
Published on 31 Jan 2004 by "kirsty_aa_jordan"
A classic - David Gray's best (in my opinion)
This is my absolute favourite David Gray album. It has so many good songs on it. Shine happens to be my favourite DG song but the whole album is extremely moving. Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2003 by Ms. D. Hutchison
David Gray through and through
Suddenly discovering an artist after he has been around for nine years and released four mainstream albums has its advantages, as listening to the albums in turn is like reading a... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2002
David Gray, A Century Ends (cool)
How come I'd never heard of David until the success of Babylon? This album was his debut and very different from White ladder, its obviously inspired by Irish folk music with... Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2001 by mike@emjay.fsnet.co.uk
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