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Avg: 4.0 (852 ratings)
- Date Released: September 14, 2004
- Genre: Alternative/Punk
- Style: Singer-Songwriter
- Label: RCA Records Label
- Copyright: (P) 2004 Stone Dwarf, LLC, under license to The RCA Music Group
A concentrated, achingly understated take on folk-soul
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We Say...
Ray Lamontagne did nothing less than flip the entire script of soul on his first CD. While most of that genre's singers shout to the sky, he spends more time whispering into his chest. On "Trouble," the New Hampshire-based artist broods through the songs, using his potential for rip-roaring screams sparingly, preferring to build anticipation so he doesn't blow all the tension in a yelp.
That approach made Lamontagne stand out from the start. While his nearly autistic style could have seemed stand-offish or self-involved, instead it comes across as generous and intimate. When he sings, you feel as if his psyche is telegraphing its need directly to yours.
It's a place few singers can get to. Which explains why so many critics compared him to artists like Van Morrison, Neil Young, and David Gray — all stars who seem lost in their own worlds.
The material Lamontagne writes intensifies that sense. It's a concentrated, understated take on folk-soul, like Bill Withers with every affect withered.
That's ultimately what makes "Trouble" so startling, and so pure. Lamontagne works hard to erase all the histrionics and artifice from his music. In the end, he doesn't seem to be performing at all, but instead simply making his truth achingly plain. -
They Say...
The best songs on Trouble, the debut release from songwriter Ray LaMontagne, draw on deep wells of emotion, and with LaMontagne's sandpapery voice, which recalls a gruffer, more sedate version of Tim Buckley or an American version of Van Morrison, they seem to belie his years. The title tune, "Trouble," is an instant classic, sparse and maudlin (in the best sense), and songs like "Narrow Escape," a ragged, episodic waltz, are equally impressive, with careful, cinematic lyrics that tell believable stories of wounded-hearted refugees on the hard road of life and love. Most of the tracks fall into a midtempo shuffle rhythm, so the words have to carry a lot in order to avert a sort of dull sameness, and when it works, it works big, and when it doesn't, well, LaMontagne is so serious and sincere about his craft that you tend to forgive him instantly. Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek guests on "Hannah" and the sad, somber lullaby "All the Wild Horses," playing fiddle and adding vocals, and producer Ethan Johns adds drums and other touches on most tracks. The sound is measured and sparse, with few frills (a five-piece string section is used on a few tracks, but is never intrusive), all of which supports the emotional urgency of LaMontagne's writing. "How Come" sounds a bit like a rewrite of Dave Mason's "Feelin' Alright," and a couple of other cuts seem a bit labored, but overall this is an impressive debut by an extremely special songwriter.
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| 01. |  |
Trouble |
4:02 |
|
| 02. | |
Shelter |
4:37 |
|
| 03. | |
Hold You In My Arms |
5:06 |
|
| 04. | |
Narrow Escape |
4:39 |
|
| 05. | |
Burn |
2:52 |
|
| 06. | |
Forever My Friend |
5:47 |
|
| 07. | |
Hannah |
5:43 |
|
| 08. | |
How Come |
4:33 |
|
| 09. | |
Jolene |
4:11 |
|
| 10. | |
All The Wild Horses |
3:17 |
|
10 Total Tracks, 44:47 Total Length
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Credits
- Chris Reynolds - Engineer // Julie Gigante - Violin // Ethan Johns - Guitar // Ethan Johns - Percussion // Ethan Johns - Piano // Ethan Johns - Drums // Ethan Johns - Guitar (Bass) // Ethan Johns - Harmonium // Ethan Johns - Producer // Ethan Johns - Engineer // Ethan Johns - String Arrangements // Ethan Johns - Mixing // Ray LaMontagne - Guitar (Acoustic) // Ray LaMontagne - Harmonica // Ray LaMontagne - Vocals // David Low - Cello // David Low - Contractor // Roger Wilkie - Violin // Steve Ralbovsky - A&R // Ashley Newton - A&R // Brett Kilroe - Art Direction // Phillipe Levy - Violin // Jason Holley - Illustrations // Mark Robertson - Violin // Robin C. Hendrickson - Art Direction // James Cerreta - A&R
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