Customer Reviews

Trouble [Vinyl]

5 star:		(197)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Ray Lamontagne, a new name in the market, and an image of a great singer/songwriter is what we have here. A true find, a voice like no others. He has been compared to Otis Redding, Van Morrison and David Grey, However, Ray has a voice of his own, sometimes gravelly, always luscious. His first CD "Trouble" is bound to be a great one. The lyrics alone are enough to bring in accolades, but his voice and the music behind him, guitar, piano, harmonica and bass are all he needs. This is one to be remembered.

Ray Lamontagne spent most of his life moving around with his family, but found himself settled in Maine. He says he was an "oddball", always in trouble and hated school. He and his mom would have fights about his education. He finally made it through high school, just barely. He was working in a shoe mill in a small Maine town, when he woke up one morning to a tune on the radio that resonated in his head. He suddenly realized "This is what I am meant to be doing, singing and songwriting". He never went back to the mill. He set out to find his true vocation. He was found by the people he needed to meet and made this CD in California. Now Ray Lamontagne is touring all over the world, bringing his voice and music to us. I first saw/heard him on Conan O'Brien singing the title song, "Trouble". His voice has a mesmerizing quality that resounds with true vitality.

Ray writes and sings his own songs. "Trouble" is my favorite song with "All the Wild Horses" a close second. However, each song has a place of its own. Ray Lamontagne has given us a CD that begs to be listened to over and over again. Each time you pick up another sound, another lyric you might have missed before, that puts the pieces of this CD together.

A cold winter's night with a fire in the stove, kicking leaves on a frosty autumn day, or sitting in the sunshine on a spring day when the air is fresh and clean are some of the best times to listen to this CD, but, in reality, there isn't a bad time to listen. Love this singer/songwriter, Ray Lamontagne. Whole heartedly recommended. prisrob

The first word on the first track of his first album is enough to make any casual listener a devotee. With depth that accompanies wisdom, the grit of anxiety and influences of yesteryear's troubadours, Ray LaMontagne's voice lets out a cry and a lament. He sings "Trouble / Been doggin' my soul since the day I was born," like the words have been growing in his throat for years, waiting for a moment to be born.
That first line from Ray LaMontagne's recent release, Trouble, speaks to the quiet power of the album. It hails the emergence of a new artist to watch but will probably avoid the title of `next big thing.' In the way that the snare drum rim shot at the beginning of "Like a Rolling Stone" blazed the way for the brilliance of Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited, LaMontagne's first word is the wake-up call to everyone looking for the next singer-songwriter whose skill in simplicity is matched by his strength with words. Ray LaMontagne may well be the reason folk music has a future.
LaMontagne's past is the dream of every folk singer trying to pass himself off as the genuine article. He was born into a family of six children from various fathers and traveled around the country throughout his younger years, not because of his mother's whims, but out necessity. He lived in tents and cars, barely making it out of high school because he was always on outsider. It took a song by Stephen Stills to make him into a musician.
LaMontagne credits Still's "Treetop Flyer" from the 1991 album Stills Alone for his conversion from a factory laborer to a folk singer. Following the revelation of Stills, Ray sought other musicians of his ilk, finding Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, among others. Trouble sounds like those artists have been gathered together and distilled in a finely crafted, simple and beautiful debut collection from a new artist with no place to go but up.
"Narrow Escape," four tracks into Trouble, is another indication of LaMontagne's early accomplishment. With guest vocals by Jennifer Stills and gentle brushes of cymbals in the background, it is the tale of two lovers escaping the law. LaMontagne's takes his time on the harmonica, drawing out the somber sound while Jennifer makes the song into a effective eulogy.
But Trouble is not a collection of depressing pieces and sad stories. On "Forever My Friend," LaMontagne's deft use of the acoustic guitar makes a joyful noise that rolls along like a long walk through falling leaves. He knows how to take his time and every second comes through with apparent ease.
Trouble is the sort of album that folk music has been waiting for. It is neither beholden to the genre's roots or given over to mandolins and banjos. It excels when it doesn't have to push its tempo or move away from a man's voice and his fingers.
The album winds down with "All the Wild Horses," a soulful, wonderful song that uses a five-piece string section to give LaMontagne a chance to whisper and wish his way to the end of Trouble. In a voice that's part sagebrush and part sandpaper, he carries the album to a quiet conclusion fitting his first work, which will hopefully be a testament for greatness to come.

First and foremost this is a relaxed, sexy album. Possibly the best make-out album released since the mid to late 70s. There will inevitable comparison's of Lamontagne's style to Van Morrison. This is not a bad thing. Personally I would say he's nice cross of Morrison, Otis Redding, and Bob Dylan, with some contemporary 21st century notes as well. As a bottom line, his voice is highly emotive and a perfect foil for the somewhat minimal and honest production on the record.

The album is consistently excellent, and never monotonous. Its still growing on me, but I feell Lamontagne has more staying power than Jack Johnson, or any singer songwriter of this generation except Elliott Smith (RIP).

Get on this album early, it is guaranteed to be smashing success. Hopefully Lamontagne will have a long career. These songs are such a joy to experience.

I don't often take the time to review things and I'm especially hesitant at this one and I'll tell you why: there just aren't many people like Ray that walk the earth and as much as he deserves endless success, part of me wants to selfishly keep him (his music) for myself. I've had the album for some time now and have always recommended him to friends (many of which now own and love the cd) and I even sent it to my father for his birthday. I figured he deserved a copy since he was the one who taught me what real music sounded like and that is what Ray represents: music in its purest form. I just saw him perform an all acoustic set last night and it was unlike anything I ever saw...and I've been to many shows. This was stripped down pure emotion, the vulnerability he transmits should hit a chord with anyone who has ever felt a human emotion. He is tall, slender and somewhat frail and is obviously a man of few words but when he starts to sing (eyes full closed mind you - a sign of someone who is giving you something from a faraway place) this eruption of soul emanates. It's as if the strength of his soul could feasibly rupture the frail exterior it is temporarily contained in. I'm pretty sure he didn't need a mike to satisfy the ears of the few hundred that sat attentitively in their chairs at the small club. He really shined when he went off on small tangents during several songs where the improvisation was as impressive as the prepared song. Not only did I see something different but I felt I just saw something extraordinary...something that practically no one else in this day and age of manufactured music could ever hope to ascend to. It's refreshing to see such honesty and humility in the form of a song. I hope that I see and hear a lot more of Mr. Lamontagne although I wouldn't be surprised if he just disappeared in Robert Johnson fashion as I think his soul may have been sold in exchange for such unearthly talent. Buy the cd, see him in person, see and hear Ray for yourself, he won't disappoint.

Poetry, beauty, authenticity, sincerity...an absolutely flawless record. Vocals reminiscent of Van Morrison/Otis Redding, simple strums, stand-up bass, exquisite strings, perfect percussion (just saw Ray @ the Fillmore with none other than Ethan on drums :). Heartbreaking yet swooningly romantic. This music speaks to your soul.

I haven't felt compelled to write an opinion here in the past, but sboyer's comment about Patty Griffin was so uncannily like my own first thoughts I just had to mention it. Patty Griffin penned perhaps the most important folk album of a decade in "Living With Ghosts"... and it would be hard for me to consider "Trouble" any less remarkable. Even better? It might be, it might.

It's impossible not to recognize an artistic giant in Ray Lamontagne. So few people display a mastery of craft these days, and even fewer of those actually have something to say. Ray clearly posesses both - the music just reaches through the ribs and grips the beating heart. Superb work - and one of the only albums I would feel comfortable recommending to anyone, regardless of their taste.

Many of us had been taken with a few singles of Ray Lamontagne's offered by a local radio program of singer/songwriters for many months now. Some of us were even fortunate enough to catch him live this summer. To witness him, you immedediately hoped that whoever finally recorded him, recorded him for the right reasons, and appreciated how amazing he really is. They got it right...it's all captured on this debut. Be a total nerd and call the store and ask them to hold you a copy. Heartbreaking, romantic as hell, politically captivating and energizing, and I'll say it again, magical--entrancing. It's all here--best album/Cd I've heard in years. Sara Watkins and Jennifer Stills offer some nice background vocals (and Sara fiddle), and Ethan Johns is a great accompaniest. Remember why you loved music?

This album is shockingly good. Absolutely fantastic, heart-felt voice. I can't listen to it enough. Good from start to finish. Wish there were ten more songs on it! Buy this album!

Most definitely my favorite release this year. Ray and Ethan Johns have created a modern day masterpiece, which may sound like a broad, swooping, over-rated statement. It is not! and the funny thing is they've created a CD that sounds nothing like modern day, slick, over produced pop/rock. No, this recording sounds like it was a long forgotten treasure, buried in the basement vaults of RCA. Ray has a unique gift of writing and singing that allows you to not only compare him to other artists, but hold him on his own, as well. Ethan creates a wonderful backdrop and timeless production. Not only should you buy this disc, but see the man perform live. His voice just soars in concert! A major talent, I hope for years to come. My only complaint, Ethan should have recieved double billing. His work on this record is just as important as Ray's. On a side note: Please do not tag this guy with the "jam band" & "john mayer's of the world" crowd. He's far more talented and special than that!!!

Ray LaMontagne is a true find. How often does an artist come along that can stand up to the greatness of Van Morrison, or (dare I say it?) Bob Dylan? Here's one, and here's hoping he's around for a long time to come.

LaMontagne was a high school dropout, working in a shoe factory in rural Maine, when he woke up one day to a song on the radio that changed his life. Hearing that song made him realize that this - singing, writing songs - was what he was meant to do with his life. And it turns out the man has the talent to back up this epiphanal experience.

The CD is mellow, uplifting, and heart-breaking. The title track will fill you with the utter joy of a man who's had a hard life, but who's been, "saved by a woman," as LaMontagne joyfully exclaims. On "How Come" he laments of the senselessness of "man, killing man, killing man, killing man, I don't understand." And all the other tracks are equally as wonderful.