Gray Songs is a rather talented chap hailing from the town of Burnley, who describes his album ‘Messages’ as “a DIY recorded album of ballads and songs about my own feelings and opinions.”
For someone such as myself who thinks the ability to home record and self-release via the internet are two of the greatest gifts to the creative musician, this all sounds very promising.
While he has drafted in the help of a few friends here and there, Gray has performed and recorded most of this album himself.
The vocals and the prominent bass guitar suggest the influence of Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, but there’s also some more introspective acoustic songs such as ‘My Disease’ and ‘Whisper’ on offer here.
There’s some rather nice guitar playing on display, especially the lead riff on ‘The Call’ and the acoustic twiddling on ‘Whisper’.
Lyrics are on top form throughout proceedings as well, particularly ‘Thankyou’, a tribute to the late great Wiz of Mega City Four. “A hero and influence is gone and I just wish I’d said thankyou.”
‘December’ seems to lament with poignancy the passage of years. “December, December, who are you to call on me?” It also features some rather nice lead guitar courtesy of Robin Denton.
‘Messages’ was released back in 2009, but it arrived with a note assuring that a new album is coming soon. I for one am certainly looking forward to it.
This album is available at graysongs.bandcamp.com
Captain Andy 