Given the popular resurgence of the sensitive male songwriter, Ray LaMontagne is a rogue trader. Scruffily bearded, press-shy and dealing in themes that are hardly the stuff of snuggling lovers, his current standing in Britain as housewives’ choice is a wholly unexpected victory, especially given the competition. Far from the Blunts and Morrisons, LaMontagne’s comforts are much colder. Yet this summer’s relaunch of 2004 debut Trouble – an Uncut favourite - has seen him fixed in the UK top ten, just as he started packing major venues back home.
This follow-up seems like a wary reaction to all that. Reunited with producer Ethan Johns (best known for his work with Ryan Adams), LaMontagne is clearly intent on tending his own furrow. Whereas Trouble was country-blues stripped bare, Till The Sun… has far more texture, making use of strings, swampy guitars and Memphis horns. Opener "Be Here Now" derives mournful pleasure from banks of violins, cello and bowed bass, further dampened by Johns’ fat-raindrop piano. "Empty" is equally beautiful, LaMontagne at his most crestfallen. There’s a touch of Ted Hawkins about the tattered-soul voice, too. He’s never sounded bleaker: "There’s a lot of things that can kill a man/ There’s a lot of ways to die/Yes, and some already did/And walk beside me." Can you imagine Daniel Powter singing that?
It’s not quite all despair. The homesick "Three More Days" is an upbeat slice of Southern soul, jumping to Wurlitzer piano and trumpet. The circular riff of "You Can Bring Me Flowers" sounds like a funky JJ Cale. Anti-war song "Within You" is a surprising burst of Beatlesy orch-pop.
For all these diversions, though, LaMontagne has a tendency to plod. "Can I Stay" and "Barfly", for example, nudge the bearable limits of the pained-man-with-acoustic-guitar syndrome. His paymasters might also be frustrated that Till The Sun… doesn’t boast an obvious hit in the way that Trouble was blessed with its title track. But in a strange way, that only enhances the appeal of this ultimately brave and rewarding record .
ROB HUGHES
This follow-up seems like a wary reaction to all that. Reunited with producer Ethan Johns (best known for his work with Ryan Adams), LaMontagne is clearly intent on tending his own furrow. Whereas Trouble was country-blues stripped bare, Till The Sun… has far more texture, making use of strings, swampy guitars and Memphis horns. Opener "Be Here Now" derives mournful pleasure from banks of violins, cello and bowed bass, further dampened by Johns’ fat-raindrop piano. "Empty" is equally beautiful, LaMontagne at his most crestfallen. There’s a touch of Ted Hawkins about the tattered-soul voice, too. He’s never sounded bleaker: "There’s a lot of things that can kill a man/ There’s a lot of ways to die/Yes, and some already did/And walk beside me." Can you imagine Daniel Powter singing that?
It’s not quite all despair. The homesick "Three More Days" is an upbeat slice of Southern soul, jumping to Wurlitzer piano and trumpet. The circular riff of "You Can Bring Me Flowers" sounds like a funky JJ Cale. Anti-war song "Within You" is a surprising burst of Beatlesy orch-pop.
For all these diversions, though, LaMontagne has a tendency to plod. "Can I Stay" and "Barfly", for example, nudge the bearable limits of the pained-man-with-acoustic-guitar syndrome. His paymasters might also be frustrated that Till The Sun… doesn’t boast an obvious hit in the way that Trouble was blessed with its title track. But in a strange way, that only enhances the appeal of this ultimately brave and rewarding record .
ROB HUGHES
Matthew Choate
South Africa
South Africa
Great review
Trouble knocked me over; took my breath away and had me begging for more. I was not alone, every review glowed. This is unfortunately a hard response to answer, for any artist. Ray doesn't manage it seond time round, but what is refreshing is I don't think he tries to. There is more of Ray in this album, more of the man than the music. It is painful at times, but if you loved the first album for the emotional honesty, and good ol' fashioned heart on sleeve acoustics than you'll still love this. It grows everytime I listen. Well done Ray keep em comin.
uncut.co.uk Sunday, 20 July 2008 Log In 
Back to top
Back to top© IPC MEDIA 1996-2008, All rights reserved
Site User Terms | Privacy Policy | Advertising Info | Contact Us | Buy Our Content
