3/21: David Gray at State Theatre

Singer-songwriter David Gray has loosened up a bit since his breakthrough hit “Babylon” a decade ago. Back then, he was bursting with something to say, spitting out words while his voice tried to keep up with the calliope of sounds around him. On last year’s Draw the Line, the U.K. singer settles into a weary troubadour role that all but buries his personality beneath some dull songs (unless a duet with Annie Lennox is your idea of a rousing good time). He’s still capable of hitting his mark occasionally (“Fugitive” opens the album on a relatively feisty note), even if, lyrically, he’s pushing diluted self-help advice to a nation of middle-class adult-alternative-radio listeners. Gray’s back catalog is sturdy enough to compensate for his recent place-spinning, so hopefully he won’t focus too much on Draw the Line when he plays PlayhouseSquare's State Theatre (1519 Euclid Ave., 216.241.6000) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $35-$45. — Michael Gallucci