David Gray

Before Coldplay made sensitive lads around the world feel like they, too, could sell out stadiums, David Gray was honing his chops in the sort of lilting, aching songwriting that would make Chris Martin a superstar. He finally broke through with 1999's White Ladder and has since carved a cozy niche in the mellow rock realm. But with a decade gone and countless new sensitive souls eclipsing him, Gray decides to shake it up a bit here. A new backing band helps give his raspy croon a refreshing boost on tracks like "Fugitive," "Draw the Line," "Jackdaw" and "Kathleen" (with Jolie Holland).