A New Day At Midnight
by David Gray
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Nov 5, 2002
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. AllMusic
    60
    He sticks with simple acoustics and subtle string arrangements; however, A New Day at Midnight doesn't possess the heavy heart of White Ladder.
  2. Uncut
    80
    A dozen vivid and deeply personal songs.... Gray has made a record that anybody who cares about great songwriting should hear. [Dec 2002, p.130]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. PopMatters
    70
    If you liked Gray before, you'll still like him now.
  5. Mojo
    80
    As a whole it lacks the unity of mood the characterised White Ladder... but there is much to love. [Dec 2002, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Q Magazine
    80
    So is it White Ladder II? In a word, "yes." [Nov 2002, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    40
    As uncharismatic as its creator, it's certainly boring, but no more so than anything Richard Ashcroft has come up with.
  8. Rolling Stone
    80
    His beautiful detachment makes these nondescript hooks -- so plain they'd be forgettable if sung by anyone else -- into something special.
  9. The A.V. Club
    70
    Gray is smart enough to stick to a winning formula, making these dour but likable songs instantly recognizable as his own.
  10. Spin
    60
    A poor man's Aimee Mann. [Jan 2003, p.99]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    ''Midnight'''s only drawback is its rinky-dink production, which, while less distracting than on ''White Ladder,'' is woefully inappropriate for such delicate, heartfelt music.
  12. Blender
    60
    The album merely washes pleasantly past, tickling the ear and delivering a few hummable refrains. There's nothing here to lift listeners the way White Ladder did. [#12, p.143]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. Dot Music
    70
    While not much of a departure from the honed formula of 'White Ladder', much of 'A New Day At Midnight' opts to pare down that winning mix of gentle dance beats and piano even further, leaving Gray's gorgeous gutsy vocal to do more of the talking on his melancholy tales of love and loss.
  14. Delusions of Adequacy
    90
    A New Day at Midnight is not White Ladder part 2, but it does bear certain similarities, namely emotional, beautiful music matched with equally beautiful lyrics, and, of course David Gray's unmistakable voice.
  15. Vibe
    70
    Comes off likea rave-era update of Van Morrison's blue-eyed soul. [Feb 2003, p.138]
    All this publication's reviews
  16. Ink 19
    40
    He lets the technology overwhelm the proceedings and all too often it is used in service of forgettable, substandard melodies.
  17. Salon
    90
    A work of exceptional songwriting, performance and production.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. wiredude
    Feb 26, 2022
    10
    My favorite album of his and the one I have the deepest connection with and one which I return to again and again and sing along with on everyMy favorite album of his and the one I have the deepest connection with and one which I return to again and again and sing along with on every song. I love White Ladder too but this one edges out that one imo. I knew from the first listen too.… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    Jan 13, 2016
    7
    Some people said Gray attempted to make White Ladder II with this record but I don't think that's the case. A New Day At Midnight is one ofSome people said Gray attempted to make White Ladder II with this record but I don't think that's the case. A New Day At Midnight is one of David Gray's most upbeat records when taken as a whole, especially when compared to this record's predecessor. There are plenty of nice singalong tunes present and it's an appealling listen a couple of times around, however it lacks the heart and soul of White Ladder and the more you go back to it, the less it tends to give back. While the songs are decent, too often they are overproduced with too much unecessary background work happening, taking away from the more stripped down style he had previously employed to show off the strength of his song writing. While everything came together perfectly for Gray to make the excellent "White Ladder", "A New Day At Midnight" is more indicative of Gray's work in general, good but not quite brilliant.… Full Review »
  3. buzz
    Apr 11, 2003
    8
    I think I own all of David Gray's CDs, expert, nooooo. The lyrics as always set him apart from the rest. His voice, wonderful, but, I think I own all of David Gray's CDs, expert, nooooo. The lyrics as always set him apart from the rest. His voice, wonderful, but, where is your accent that I have always loved to hear. I like his words, his music, and the sound. Even if this one isn't my favourite David Gray CD, David Gray is still my favourite singer song writer.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »