Could Gregory Gray's hidden project be the destruction of all civilized life? This Northern Irish newcomer starts off his debut — he really says this — by trading in his attaché case. ''Someday,'' he sings, ''the world will surrender itself to a friend we call universal groove.'' ''Get outta the way!'' screams a voice. Then an irresistible dance beat begins, with Gray riding over it, joyfully crying, ''I don't give a damn!''
Which is more than fine. But as he spools out his philosophy, everything starts to sound too familiar: It's a tough world out there, but you gotta be true to yourself. Even the music, half-dance, half-rock, starts to fade into blankness.
Finally (in the album's last track, titled ''Coming Back for More''), Gray promises a guitar coming at us ''at a hundred miles an hour.'' But it ambles by at no more than 55. Too bad: Strong at Broken Places starts off so nicely. C+
