Life in Slow Motion

David Gray's inspirations hail at least in part from America, so it's only right that a large chunk of this British artist's stardom has come in the U.S. Scaling back the drum-'n'-bass rhythms that helped make his breakthrough White Ladder stand out, he concentrates on piano-driven arrangements that prove his songs work well without much embellishment. The American influence presents itself in a resemblance to Ryan Adams (the two could be vocal twins) and a debt to the side of the Band that Elton John drew on early in his career. The sort-of title track "Slow Motion" rises to a chanting peak that nonetheless remains modest, while "Hospital Food" concocts an aural kaleidoscope for its tale of an ill friend. Such moments nicely represent Gray's ability to tickle the ear while pondering serious matters.