Album Review

Ray Lamontagne – You Are The Best Thing

• 24th Feb 2009

Not being familiar with this artists work, I find myself having to do a little bit of crafty research with the aid of google. Wikipedia tells me he was born in 1973, and lives on a farm in Maine with his wife and two sons.

His music occupies the same space as say Damien Rice, or he could be a more seasoned James Morrison. His music is instantly recognisable and sounds very polished, his raspy, worldly wise voice adding a certain charm to the proceedings. I’m sure he makes many a housewife swoon and this track would make the perfect soundtrack to a Lunchtime coffee at Starbucks, kind of cheery and non-offensive. He doesn’t seem to be trying to prove anything, he seems at ease with who he is, and the lyrics ‘You are the best thing’ provide a comforting refrain.

The music is based around guitar, drums and a rather lovely brass section, making it sound like a lost classic before its even been released! You can hear Crosby, Stills and Nash, shades of the more commercial side of Bob Dylan, and the soul of Otis Redding. Although this track is very strong for what it is, it doesnt beat his best known track ‘Trouble’, but I’m sure it will keep his fans happy for a little while. There you have it – Ray Le Montagne – comforting, non-offensive and just well, I hate to say it ‘Nice’.