Hey, No Pressure...
March 10, 2016 7:56 PM Subscribe
Singer-songwriter Ray Lamontagne released his new album Ouroboros this week. Produced by Jim James, of My Morning Jacket fame, Lamontagne's 6th studio album lends new artistic credibility to the 42 year old artist's oeuvre. Comparisons to Pink Floyd aren't completely unfounded... the cover of Ouroboros seems to show, among other things, the dark side of the Moon.
I've been giving this a listen at work today, but I guess I'll need to hear more of it, and in a less distracted setting (I should be developing stuff, not getting sucked into the music).
posted by Harald74 at 4:31 AM on March 11, 2016
posted by Harald74 at 4:31 AM on March 11, 2016
I've been an enormous ray fan since trouble, was kinda let down by supernova and really hoping he brings back the magic here. Though who am I kidding, it will find a permanent home on my main iPod just like the rest of his catalogue and I'll force myself to love it.
As an amateur songwriter, lyrics do not come naturally to me, yet I hold Ray LaMontagne (along with Mayer and VanMorrison) as my benchmark of "good lyrics". I just love the stories he tells and the words he uses. He may not be the best, may be a little cliche or forced, but he's *my* measuring stick even if I never come close.
My favorite verse of his, from "Empty":
And of these cut-throat busted sunsets,
these cold and damp white mornings
I have grown weary
If through my cracked and dusted dime-store lips
I spoke these words out loud would no one hear me?
Lay your blouse across the chair,
Let fall the flowers from your hair
And kiss me with that country mouth so plain.
Outside the rain is tapping on the leaves
To me it sounds like they're applauding us,
The quiet love we've made.
Hnnnnnnngggggggg.
I'm kind of in self denial that early aspiring pop star Ray Charles LaMontagne reinvented himself as the weary traveler bard, found success and played it up. I know it's probably all a bit of an act, the voice, the faded army jackets, the quite introspective hatred of the music industry before he plays Kimmel. I think he's starting to let all that go now?
Still, every now and again a verse, melody or turn of phrase just punches me in the gut in a way that very, very few songwriters can, and I love him for that.
posted by remlapm at 6:31 AM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
As an amateur songwriter, lyrics do not come naturally to me, yet I hold Ray LaMontagne (along with Mayer and VanMorrison) as my benchmark of "good lyrics". I just love the stories he tells and the words he uses. He may not be the best, may be a little cliche or forced, but he's *my* measuring stick even if I never come close.
My favorite verse of his, from "Empty":
And of these cut-throat busted sunsets,
these cold and damp white mornings
I have grown weary
If through my cracked and dusted dime-store lips
I spoke these words out loud would no one hear me?
Lay your blouse across the chair,
Let fall the flowers from your hair
And kiss me with that country mouth so plain.
Outside the rain is tapping on the leaves
To me it sounds like they're applauding us,
The quiet love we've made.
Hnnnnnnngggggggg.
I'm kind of in self denial that early aspiring pop star Ray Charles LaMontagne reinvented himself as the weary traveler bard, found success and played it up. I know it's probably all a bit of an act, the voice, the faded army jackets, the quite introspective hatred of the music industry before he plays Kimmel. I think he's starting to let all that go now?
Still, every now and again a verse, melody or turn of phrase just punches me in the gut in a way that very, very few songwriters can, and I love him for that.
posted by remlapm at 6:31 AM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
The Oroburos cover isn't the far side. </pedantic>
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 6:56 AM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 6:56 AM on March 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
I've always wondered what's up with that Meg White song on Gossip in the Grain. Is it creepy or cute? What's the general consensus on that?
Going all the way back, I love the song "How Come". "....a child of Gawwwwwd/in misery" being the highlight there.
posted by GrapeApiary at 7:13 AM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Going all the way back, I love the song "How Come". "....a child of Gawwwwwd/in misery" being the highlight there.
posted by GrapeApiary at 7:13 AM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Been enjoying this album quite a bit after a couple listens. Better than his past 2 LPs I'd say and probably his best since Gossip in the Grain. Ouroboros definitely has a different sound than that album, but it seems like on this project he's pulled off stylistic progression while maintaining a high level of quality.
I'd say this is up there with my favorite albums of the year thus far, alongside Money's "Suicide Songs" and Anderson .Paak's "Malibu"
posted by Temerit at 3:28 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'd say this is up there with my favorite albums of the year thus far, alongside Money's "Suicide Songs" and Anderson .Paak's "Malibu"
posted by Temerit at 3:28 PM on March 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
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