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Ray Lamontagne has lived a troubled life, born in Nashua, New Hampshire to a travelling mother and a musician father. His mother left his father while he was on tour and moved her six children wherever she could find work. Ray always was never keen on being a musician due to tales of his father, yet while working in a shoe factory he heard Stephen Still's 'Treetop Flyer' and after purchasing Stills Alone he decided to become a singer-songwriter. He began touring in 1999 and after hard work he appeared out of nowhere in 2004 with his emotionally charged debut 'Trouble'. The observation of a loner who bares his soul only from behind an acoustic guitar gave him the persona of a troubled soul. He crafted deeply intimate tales of love and tragedy, and often wrote of life-affirming expressions of commitment. The release of 'Til The Sun Turns Black' showed he had gained in confidence in his life and as a performer. His third studio album, Gossip and The Grain expands on this further as he develops deeper lyrics and is now comfortable to experiment a little too.
Once again produced by Ethan Johns (Kings of Leon, Ryan Adams), Lamontagne for the first time invited his touring band to assist in the making and recording of the album, explaining that it was time to open up a little bit more and to not be quite so reserved in his choice of songs. Ethan Johns also serves as a multi-tasking instrumentalist playing largely on drums but any other instrument that is required beyond the bands expertise. This technique brings a fuller and more accomplished sound to the album. The album opens with a gospel/blues track 'You Are The Best Thing' which is filled with brass instruments and delicate strings, while backed by gospel-esque vocals. The song is a chirpy opener talking of how he doesn't want his lover to walk out the door and begging her to stay. 'Let it Be Me' takes you back to Trouble and with the heart melting vocal that Lamontagne just produces to effortlessly,the use of strings lifts his romantic lyrics '...when all your faith is gone/And it feels like you can't go on/Let it be me...'. 'Sarah' named after his wife, is a warm recollection of childhood love and regrets of walking away from people and places that has made his life. The song reflects on his realisation he may be in danger of losing all who around him. The strings arrangements flourishes beautifully over this gritty tale as his guitar playing has aspects of pastoral folk.
'I Still Care for You' has vocal assistant from Leona Naess which is transformed with he use of synths and pedal steel from her usual sound into a ghostly spectre, while Lamontagne's vocal flows over like a haar from the sea. Playful track 'Meg White' has a lovely country feel, as he sings of his appreciation for the White Stripes drummer '...Meg White, Baby your the bomb/Old Jack he's great... but this is your song..'. A real first for him to feel free to be playful with a song rather being deep and meaningful. 'A Falling Through' is an album highlight, with its intimate lyrics and gentle vocal which yet again is backed by Leona Naess. With similarities to Iron and Wine the song is complemented heavily with the use of pedal steel and Ethan John's swooping drums provides a beautiful melody to support the gorgeous harmonising between Lamontagne and Naess.
Ray Lamontagne has returned in fine form, the album has exceeded all expectations hanging on his return, providing his best album to date. He truly is an artist and a craftsman who is able to work his melodic gifts through a myriad of musical traditions.
