David Gray Sell, Sell, Sell CD

Originally released in 1996, SELL, SELL, SELL seemed destined to propel British alt-rock crooner David Gray to wider international recognition. On this outing, Gray amps up his spare, folk-leaning sound on many songs, most notably the urgent "Faster, Sooner, Now" and the fierce title track, both of which take lyrical jabs at quick-paced, consumer-based modern life. While it might seem as though these energetic tunes would dilute the power of Gray's distinctive and expressive voice, the upbeat settings serve the compositions surprisingly well, and are deftly counterbalanced by stark, melancholy numbers such as the sad, soulful "Hold On to Nothing" and the slow, wistful "Gutters Full of Rain." Despite favorable reviews and opening tour slots for acts such as the Dave Matthews Band, SELL didn't do exactly that, leaving Gray underappreciated until Matthews himself gave the U.K.-based performer a well-deserved break (on the ATO label) with '99's lauded and highly successful WHITE LADDER.

Originally Release '95, His third album includes the soft-spoken "Gutters Full of Rain," in the straight-laced rock of "Everytime," and in the curiously poignant "Late Night Radio."

Recorded at Pyramid Sound, Ithaca, New York; Air Studios and Brittania Row, London, England; Earle's Studio and Luna Park, Los Angeles, California.

Personnel: David Gray (vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards); David Nolte (guitar, piano, keyboards, bass guitar); McClune (drums, background vocals).

Personnel: David Gray (vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica); David Nolte (guitar, piano, organ, bass); Clune (bass, drums, background vocals); Kristi Callan (background vocals).

Engineers include: Paul Kimble, Brian Zee, David Nolte.

Additional personnel: Kristi Callan (background vocals).

Q (9/00, p.124) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...The talent was self-evident and it all turned out nice in the end."
Alternative Press (6/96, p.78) - 3 - OK - "...a lightly rocking folkmeister....quite listenable folk-rock experience for those inclined..."
Option (7-8/96, p.106) - "...It's all sincere and smart, and I can easily imagine Gray's songs coming from someone's car radio on a Sunday afternoon or gracing VH-1's new music show..."