Login for FavoritesRay Lamontagne - Till The Sun Turns Black
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Album Details
- Artist: Ray Lamontagne
- Album: Till The Sun Turns Black
- Label: RCA
- Year of Release: 2006
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: dscanland on 2007-02-14
RecommendI've been meaning to review Ray LaMontagne for a long time. But now that I've managed to spend some quality time with his sophomore album, Till The Sun Turns Black I feel I can do him justice. One might consider Ray to be AOR (adult contemporary) but the man is just such a great songwriter and performer that he deserves all the attention he can get. Many thought that his debut album was just luck, years of songs that he had accumulated over the years but with the release of Till The Sun Turns Black he proves that luck had nothing to do with it. This man is a skilled songwriter, a true craftsman. The lovely "Can I Stay" should be your first exposure. It's a beautiful love song in which he uses some gentle strings to make a little more lush. Like Romeo courting Juliet.
One of the most soulful songs I've heard this year comes in the form of Ray's "Three More Days". Almost to the point of Van Morrison classic style, with a stylish keyboard leading the groove. "You Can Bring Me Flowers" almost sounds like a Ben Harper song, no slide guitar but the guitar does sound a little like Harper too. And LaMontagne proves that he doesn't even need lyrics to make an emotional song. Try listening to "Truly, Madly, Deeply" for one of the most heartfelt instrumentals ever heard.
Till The Sun Turns Black should establish Ray LaMontagne as one of the foremost acoustic songwriters of our time. Catch on to him before every one else does.
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on 2009-07-02 fortunecookie Said:
Till The Sun Turns Black is an album to get excited about. Ray Lamotagnes voice harkens back to an earlier era, and does every song justice. Its the aural equivalent of red velvet cake.
Still, I have issues with the album. Ray Lamontagnes sleepier songs, such as Can I Stay and Be Here Now , are absolutely, heartbreakingly beautiful. Its the kind of thing you fall asleep to, because it makes you so contently peaceful. I hope he continues to produce music like this, but at the same time, I wish Lamontagne wouldve ventured into more soulful territory on a larger percentage of the songs. The more upbeat Three More Days is one of the best song on the album. Thankfully, Lamontagnes more recent single, You Are the Best Thing , establishes that hes continuing to pursue this direction. Overall, "Empty" is the clear winner as it combines both elements of the musician's personality -- it's soft and sweet, but fiery at heart.
Rating: 8/10
Review:
on 2007-03-08 hstisgod Said:
Rating is for the review and the album. Ive listened to this album quite a bit. One of these days the blue light of memory will not hit me as I wlak into the CD store, making me forget to pick up this album. Truly a soul provider this guy. Nice review D, except for the Romeo and Juliet analogy, I nearly lost my dinner.lol
Either way I knew someone would get around to reviewing this guy, glad it was you D.
Rating: 10/10
