Thank you to all who rrc, I try and return the favour as much as possible.
Thank you to all who rrc, I try and return the favour as much as possible.
Member since:21.01.2008
Reviews:58
Members who trust:65
This is the third album from American singer-songwriter Ray Lamontagne. I would place Ray Lamontagne in the easy listening genre, and would urge everyone to listen to at least one track of his.
Having both the debut and follow up albums I was really looking forward to hearing this, especially as I am going to a concert as part of the Gossip in the Grain tour when Ray visits Nottingham later this month.
My first impression of this album was that it had a much more polished finish to it and feels like a much bigger production, which at first I was not sure if I liked. The first two albums are very much just Ray and a guitar with a little drum in the background, but this feels quite different.
The album still uses Ray's voice in a way different to any other artist, if you are unfamiliar with his music, his voice is quite unique in the way it is very rough and whisper like in places but has strength when it is needed.
1. You are the best thing This is a very strong start to the album with a lot more backing than is the usual style of Ray with backing singers in the chorus.
2. Let it be me This song slows the pace down a bit and it more the normal style I am used to from Ray, with some touching lyrics.
3. Sarah This is definitely back to old school Ray with heavy emphasise on guitar and a whispery vocal.
4. Still care for you Ray is quite hard to hear above the instruments in this track, which I can't decide if I like or not, this is probably my least favourite track on he album.
5. Winter birds Another slow song, not a favourite but I wouldn't necessarily skip it every time.
6. Meg White This is one of my favourite tracks, it starts like a Wild West movie and changes to a pop/rock sound, and I could see this one doing well in the charts if he released it as a single.
7. Hey me, Hey Mama This has a blues feel to it with the lyrics and the music although the words don't really make much sense.
8. Henry nearly killed me (It's a shame) This is a fast paced song and I am looking forward to hearing this one performed live as I think it will sounds great! This is one of my favourites.
9. A falling through This is another slow starter but if you listen to the words you realise what a nice song it is. Leona Naess joins him for this one and it makes a really great sound.
10. Gossip in the grain The title track. This starts slowly with flute and guitar followed by a whispery Ray. It is actually not as strong as some of the other tracks, so I guess Ray just liked the title and thought it would be great as the album name too.
Overall this is another great album from Ray. He admits on his website www.raylamontagne.com that he has changed his style a bit for this album and has done a few collaborations which he normally would not do, but decided to try for this album. He sings with Leona Naess on a couple of tracks, she was his warm up act on his Trouble tour and received a warm welcome from the crowd. Although this is a good album I don't think that it is as good as his previous two albums.
You can pick this album up for around £8 on various websites, check it out for the best deal.
** Just to let you know the concert was great, if a little dis-jointed with a couple of power cuts thrown in, he performed all his big tracks from his previous 2 albums and did 3 songs for his encore!**
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Gossip in the Grain, Ray LaMontagne's third full length, is a slightly different record ... more
from 2007's Till the Sun Turns Black. But then that album was of course a move on from his 2004 debut, Trouble. Obviously creative progression is a large part of La...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Gossip in the Grain, Ray LaMontagne's third full length, is a slightly different record ... more
from 2007'sTill the Sun Turns Black. But then that album was of course a move on from his 2004 debut,Trouble. Obviously creative progression is a large part of LaMo...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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