David Gray - Flesh (1994)

On Flesh, David Gray's 1994 release, the Welsh singer/songwriter wraps his rough-hewn voice around ten self-penned songs that deal mainly with relationships. Delivered in his earnest voice, the highly literate observations of the lyrics and the folk-tinged feel of the music is easily compared to the work of Mike Scott of Waterboys fame. "What Are You?" kicks things off with an aggressive, bracing vocal growl from Gray over a tumbling rhythm. "Made Up My Mind" features a determined lyric of resilience and moving on. There isn't a weak cut on this record, but the highlights are the sparser, more reflective numbers that highlight the gentleness of Gray's guitar playing and the flawless phrasing of his vocal delivery. "Falling Free" and "Mystery of Love" are two of the best examples with the romantic longing of their lyrics. Neill MacColl adds some wistful slide guitar to the latter. A must listen for any fan of Scott or just anyone who appreciates well-done, acoustic-based rock.