Ray LaMontagne
According to the weather forecast, it looks the rain is here to stay, at least for the week. driving through the gloom all the time, i can't help but want to listen to the warm, raspy melodies of ray laMontagne. "trouble" is his first-ever album, released on major label RCA in 2004. lamontagne, now 31, struggled with addictions, working in a shoe factory, and contemplating depression in order to finally figure out that he was to trade it all in for a guitar and a pen. this album, and every song on it, is astounding and begs to be played for decades to come. his sound is reminiscient of jack johnson's simplicity, yet reveals influences from legends like Van Morrison or The Band. this '70s chilled-out vibe somehow remains fresh every time i listen to it. critics and festivals are raving about ray lamontagne, in fact he just won album of the year, song of the year (trouble), and male singer/songwriter of the year at the boston music awards. not to mention performances at the radio city music hall and austin city limits. so next time you are relaxing by the fire on a cold winter's night, kicking leaves on a chilly walk home, or leaning on a tree in the freshness of spring, this album will satisfy your soul.
also sounds like: Rachel Yamagata, Alexi Murdoch, Bob Dylan, Amos Lee, David Gray
