Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in the Grain
Review Date: 13 October 2008
One of Ray LaMontagne's most incisive weapons is an obvious one - his truly remarkable voice, a rich, hoary husk of an instrument with just the right amounts of weight and translucency. The other is his partnership with producer Ethan Johns, who's also done stellar work with Ryan Adams in the past. Although his sleeper-hit debut Trouble (2004)'s follow-up 'Till the Sun Turns Black' was far from the commercial hit its predecessor was, it was a solid triumph over the 'difficult second album' myth. He returns yet again to oversee (and drum on) the third LaMontagne offering - but while 'Gossip in the Grain' is a technically adept record, it lacks the primal spark that his initial material was endowed with.
No, it's can't be that Ray LaMontagne has started to believe his own hype, although the silly, redundant ode-to-White-Stripes-drummer Meg White certainly indicates an arrogance and an 'I'll-put-what-I-want-on-my-album' attitude. It's not in the quality of the songs, either - most tracks here, from the swinging Sam Cooke-esque opener You Are the Best Thing, to the relaxed, banjo-tastic Hey Me, Hey Mama and the unearthly, spacious I Still Care For You are amongst his best work.
In between the highlights, however, is a propensity for lacklustre, mediocre fare (A Falling Through, Let It Be Me) that suggests the switch has been flicked to autopilot. It's a shame, really; a talented musician and exceptional vocalist, it seems that Ray LaMontagne is frittering away his gift on half-hearted, overly sappy love songs. Still, there are certainly some genuinely enjoyable moments here, for fans and newcomers alike.
Review by Lauren Murphy :
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Your Reviews
Not impressed - petty
Would the real Ray Lamontagne please come back? PLEASE? Have been a fan and avid follower since the early days...bought... MORE
Review Published04 February 2009Star Rating:
Hugely Enjoyable - elmo
I really liked this album, although admittedly it isnt as strong as Trouble or Till the sun turns black. It does show a... MORE
Review Published01 December 2008Star Rating:
good - peter mullen
enjoyed it.
Review Published21 October 2008Star Rating:
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