Changes are slim that the general public has developed a better taste in music when a singer-songwriter is catapulted into the top ten of the charts. So has Ray LaMontagne "sold out" with the huge success of his third album Gossip in the Grain?
Thankfully: no. Although this new album has a lighter tone thant its predecssors Gossip in the Grain has enough uncompromising grunts and turns to make it something special. Starting off with a soul-tinged feelgood tune You Are the Best Thing that will fool the less advanced music buyer. Ray LaMontagne explores the depths of his throaty vocals that may remind of the likes of Robert Palmer and Paul Young. Some off the songs are bittersweet (Let It Be Me), there are some nice rockers (IMeg Whtie) - yes, it's about the female half of The White Stripes) and even some John Fogerty-like swagger (Henry Nearly Killed Me).
This is an album that will make the Starbuck's crowd sit up and take notice. It might even stop them talking about the shit going down at the stock market.
Gossip in the Grain is released on RCA Records (USA) | 14th Floor Records (UK).
Tracks:
- You Are the Best Thing
- Let It Be Me
- Sarah
- I Still Care for You
- Winter Birds
- Meg White
- Hey Me, Hey Mama
- Henry Nearly Killed Me (It's a Shame)
- A Falling Through
- Gossip in the Grain
MP3: Ray LaMontagne - You Are The Best Thing
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