Album Review: Ray LaMontagne – MONOVISION (RCA)

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The New England-based singer/songwriter’s eighth album could have easily been recorded in isolation as he played all instruments, produced, engineered, sings and writes all the songs.

Over the course of his career, beginning with 2004’s Trouble, Ray LaMontagne has dabbled with various musical styles touching on R&B, psychedelia and Americana with a highlight being 2010’s God Willin’ And The Creek Don’t Rise.

MONOVISION is very much one man’s vision as Ray turns himself into a one-man band.

The album opens with Roll Me Mama, Roll a feisty little folk/blues number that rocks in a most gentle way. Montagne’s voice is rough and powerful as he demands his partner to “Roll me like only you can”.

I think “gentle” is the operative word for most of the 10 tracks that comprise MONOVISION. Only Strong Enough really kicks up any dust. It a semi-autobiographical tune  that mentions his single mama and his wayward father. With a beat reminiscent of Stuck In The Middle With You, it grabs the listener immediately.

The rest of the album is pretty mellow, often sounding like classic Van Morrison (Astral Weeks-era) or folky Neil Young.

And by the time you get to Rocky Mountain Healin’ you might think you’ve come across an old John Denver gem.

And then there is Weeping Willow with its sing-song melody that had me thinking of The Everly Brothers.

The album closes with Highway To The Sun, where the singer is missing his gal, nearly in tears,  but wanting to “feel something real before I die”.

This may not be Ray Montagne’s most challenging work in his catalogue, but it’s one of the most satisfying.

Marty Duda

 

 

Marty Duda
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