Gossip In The Grain - Dark Publications

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Similar Items:

•	Little Honey
•	Trouble
•	Till the Sun Turns Black
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•	Last Days At the Lodge

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
1. You Are The Best Thing
2. Let It Be Me
3. Sarah
4. I Still Care For You
5. Winter Birds
6. Meg White
7. Hey Me, Hey Mama
8. Henry Nearly Killed Me
9. A Falling Through
10. Gossip In The Grain

Album Description
One of the most distinctive voices in music, lauded singer/songwriter and BRIT Award nominee releases his much-anticipated third album, his most creative and emotionally expansive collection to date.

Customer Reviews: Read 36 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Ting Tang Whada Whada Lamontagne! What?? Anyway... October 15, 2008
9 out of 11 found this review helpful

Ok I see that some reviewers have given Ray an unfair rating on this album. One reviewer said that on some songs it sounded like Ray was channeling Ray Charles and Johny Cash, and acted like that was the highest point of this album. Now I get that Ray's voice is full of soul and he has been influenced by some of the past greats, and that tends to pull in some of the older audience. But when Ray doesn't give them that redundant bluesy/soul sound they get all pissey and call it filler and say they just don't get it. What they fail to realize is that Ray is an artist of his own time, and of course will "channel", if you may, some of his past influences, but in all is more of his own self. I have learned to love his first two albums equally as they are a part of a growing process of a true artist, and after giving this album a couple listens I already know that I will love this one just as much as the first two. If you are on the fence about buying this album and are thinking about passing just because some stubborn oldies didn'nt get "When A Man Loves A Women" (Although a fantastic song!!) 10 times. Wonder no more and purchase this songwriting genius' latest masterpiece!!!

2 out of 5 stars

Ray `Lame'ontagne October 14, 2008
8 out of 19 found this review helpful

With the exception of two good tracks the rest of the album is just forgettable filler. As much as I appreciate Ray trying to push the avenues of his own creativity this album holds no candle to the previous "Til the Sun Turns Black." I'm a Ray fan and I just can't find anything on this album that strikes any emotion in me.

The first two albums moved me and the music just caught your attention in a pleasant phonetic way. I'm really pained to say this because Ray has become one of my favorite artists over the past few years and I was highly anticipating this album but alas I'm extremely disappointed. Sadly enough the albums final track "Gossip In the Grain" is probably the best track, it should have started the album off and followed this style and progression. I'm not looking for a repeat of the first two albums but I do expect great song writing and catchy tunes and I just don't get it with this album. His own website tags this new album with the quote ""his most creative and emotionally expansive collection to date". Apparently Rays own page updater didn't listen to the new album because this is anything but emotionally expansive. Plus the Meg White song is just flat out annoying, annoying...

5 out of 5 stars

More Ray Goodness October 15, 2008
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

"Gossip In The Grain" builds off of both of Ray's older albums. It has the beautiful soulful simple vocals of "Trouble" combined with the amazing instrumentation of "Til The Sun Turns Black". In true Lamontagne style, Ray provides moving beautiful song after song on this album. He also experiments with a more traditional folk sound in tracks such as "Hey Me, Hey Mama". The song "You Are The Best Thing" will become an instant classic and go down as one of the all time greats. If you too have fallen in love with the moving soulful work of this modern master don't hesitate to buy this album. You will not be disappointed!

2 out of 5 stars

A Raspy Disappointment October 15, 2008
6 out of 11 found this review helpful

I've loved Ray's music for a long time now. "Trouble" is a work of genius, "TTSTB" was more expansive, and even other collections like "One Lonesome Saddle" showcase his talents. Given that, I was looking forward to this album for a long time, even longer as the release date seemed to be continually pushed back. After all that, all I can say is that this album is a big disappointment. "Let it Be Me" may be the only song in the collection I know I'll be listening to in a year's time. "You Are the Best Thing" is also a good track, although different. I wouldn't have minded if the whole album featured the horns and backup singers as this track does - it would have separated this album from his others and avoided what it is now - an uneven grouping of weak songs with overly-forced vocals. That voice worked great on your first two albums, Ray, but on this one it's just a little bit too much. I've heard how you naturally sang, pre-Trouble days (check out the demo of "Shelter"), and that's the voice that would have better suited this release.

5 out of 5 stars

You Are The Best Thing, Baby November 2, 2008
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

Ray Lamontagne, is an enigma. His voice is breathy and rich and his trademark. His songwriting is brilliant at times. He is a genius at his craft. But, he is not reaching the masses. I found him, oh, several years ago with his first CD, 'Trouble' and his voice and lyrics stirred my soul.

"The Jesus-bearded troubadour is sort of a recluse. He doesn't enjoy doing interviews, refuses to make music videos, and hates reviews of his work--be they positive or negative. But for all the coffeehouse hacks trying to emulate Bob Dylan's verbosity and Van Morrison's impassioned croon, there's the soft-spoken Ray LaMontagne, singing his own wistful tunes without the weight of pretension and the hype of MTV." Joe Tacopina

This CD brings Ray Lamontagne to the fore. He is including a full orchestra. As he said in an interview, "It was time to open up a little bit more, not be quite so reserved in my choice of songs that I wanted to record." His choices in these ten songs are somewhat similar to his first two CD's but tell a story of their own. These songs are richer and more complete.

'You Are The Best Thing'-Best song of the ten and my favorite- backed-up by vocals and this is Ray at his best.

'Let It Be Me'- A traditional Ray song-showcasing his beautiful voice.

'Sarah'- One of the most beautifully written songs- many say he sounds like Nick Drake in this saga.

'I Still Care For You'-The big band background with Ray barely speaking.

'Winter Birds'- The poem like wording is exquisite. The best writing of his career.

'Meg White'- Such a complete sidestepping of his usual fare. Feet stomping good- a tribute to Meg White of the 'Stripes'- you either love it or hate it.

'Hey Me, Hey Mama'- Folksy singing- absolutely love this new Ray- 'Where ya been so long?'

'Henry Nearly Killed Me'-Fast paced song with a story line to be followed.

'A Falling Through'- A quiet, thoughtful song.

'Gossip In The Grain'- Soft, listen carefully to the lyrics- beautiful musical background.

Ray Lamontagne is a musician who has not reached his prime. He has stepped out of his footprint with this CD. Gaining new ground and new fans. He is quietly taking his place along side the greats of his genre.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 11-02-08

Trouble

[[ASIN:B000GPIPVU Till the Sun Turns Black

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