I’m not sure who switched on the indie folk filter recently, but there’s been some really incredible music coming out of some pretty obscure places. And frankly, I’m not complaining one bit.
A long time ago, in a galaxy called Toledo (thankfully far, far away), I was steeped rather deeply in alterna-folk music. Owing much to an older sister, I grew into a collection of music simply expressed with guitars and a solid, passionate voice. Oddly enough, I have yet to find my way to Dylan. I guess it could happen in time, though. And though I’ve strayed far from these folk roots recently, the past year has found me re-exploring them like lost memories in a photobox. Ray LaMontagne is a true gem.
Piggy-backing on the ground-up, hermit-with-a-guitar style of Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam, LaMontange releases “Trouble” to continue on a strong year of indie folk rock releases.
Enough is enough. Down to business. This album has it all. Hints of Crosby, Stills & Nash. A dash of Ryan Adams and Elliot Smith. A voice that the media almost always links to Van Morrison (eh, I can kinda see it). A understated guest appearance by Nickel Creek. A little bit of alt-country, a little bit of indie rock. LaMontagne proves with his first major release that he has the song writing skills, the voice and most of all the passion to have a hopefully successful career.
As always, I hate going track by track, so here’s a few notables for all of you gemologists out there:
“Hold You In My Arms” makes me want to be sitting around a camp fire, or bonfire at the beach, or something. Nocturnal, swinging and folksy…simple and sweet. I’m sure this one will end up on people’s mixtapes and compilations.
“Narrow Escape” reminds me of Elliot Smith. Now I’m sad that he’s dead, all over again.
“Forever My Friend” - best cut on the album. The tempo kicks up a notch on this one (let’s not get crazy here, Ray!), for a sweet and honest diddy, sans P. The album’s worth it, at the very least, for this song alone.
“Jolene” introduces a bit of piano, a bit more southern influence, and lets the gentle, weathered texture of Ray’s voice shine. Another heavy-hitter on the album.
These songs are cinematic and engaging enough to be a soundtrack for a new Great Depression (in a strangely good “hardships make you stronger” kinda way). Is it wrong to expect these could be sampled by some PBS documentary on the “working poor” in America? If anything, that should be a testament to the American folk tradition nerve that Ray LaMontagne deeply touches, bleeds, and makes his own.
While not an 6/5 star album…it is without a doubt a very solid debut disc, with no filler (but a few, rare but mildly labored), and a definite must-listen for any alt-country/indie folk fan.
Never be ashamed of your music. Music is art and entertainment, and if it entertains you…then rock out to it like there is no tomorrow. Don’t apologize to anyone for what you listen to, unless of course the volume is too loud. In that case, apologize and turn it up just a little more.
