FoundlingPolydor ***

David Gray was described by some as "a young Bob Dylan" in the early stages of his career. His commercial success (his "electric" phase, perhaps) came at the expense of a certain degree of credibility. Post- White Ladder,Gray has flavoured his music with no small amount of schmaltz, yet Draw the Line, the 42-year-old's last release, suggested a return to simplistic folk-rock roots. Foundling, his ninth studio album, continues that thread. True, Gray plays it frustratingly safe with maudlin ballads ( In God's Name, The Old Chair), but the springy organic softness of songs such as Gossamer Threadmake amends for the lack of vibrancy. It sounds like Gray is still trying to find the right balance between reliability, originality and commerciality; this is a solid enough compromise.

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Download tracks:Gossamer Thread, When I Was in Your Heart