Idolator

Nope. I feel pretty much like you do. (Actually, based on my thoughts on him here (scroll down a few paragraphs), I seem to have really hated him but like you I'd barely remembered him at all recently.)

He fills concert halls with the same music fans who fill concert halls for Norah Jones. Soft, pleasant, sometimes slightly jazzy arrangements, sleepy voice, love songs. Old people swoon.

Last year I heard a long NPR segment (weekend edition maybe?) with an interview and some songs performed. I think you can't underestimate the power of that on the exact audience for this kind of music.

I don't own an album by the guy, and I can't say that I have rushed out and bought any of his discs, but I will say this, the soulful goodness of this song can't be denied:

+ Watch video

@SomeSound-MostlyFury: You got it. Old people like him. As someone who likes music that old people like, I don't really get him either.

@GhostOfDuane: Of my friends whose musical taste I trust (read: mostly agree with), its only the girls that like this guy. Most of the guys' opinions can be summarized as "eh."

by which I mean, I really like one Ryan Adams disc

Heartbreaker or Gold?

Chicks dig beards. End of story.

@GhostOfDuane: @How do I say this ... THROWDINI!: Never underestimate the raw purchasing power of old ladies.

@Lax Danja House: Heartbreaker, obvs.

He's like Marc Cohn's play cousin. Meh.

Or, a too-earnest Kenny Loggins.

Soulful=full of emotion. Check.

Relate-able lyrics (esp. to NPR listeners). Check.

Beard. Check.

What's your question??

BTW, with the greatest respect, comparing "Young Turks" to anything by Ray LaMontagne mkes me think you should stick to writing about Pete Wentz, sir.

I think he's dreadful.

@owenmeany: Re-read the post. I don't think the songs sound anything alike, just that gravely voices don't automatically equate with "soulfulness".

Pete Yorn for people who like beards.

The person who first told me about him said "he's kinda like jeff buckley meets elliott smith."

So i listened.

He is not.

Man, I am not going to try to defend Ray LaM. against this wall of vitriol, but all I'll say is: I was at the Beacon show two Decembers ago, which was good, not life-changing; the first record's better than the second; and yeah, mostly it's gals I know who have gotten me into him. I dunno, I like the sound of his records, and I think Norah Jones is far snoozier.

Apparently I'm in the small demographic of dudes that like LaMontagne's music. Hmm.

For me I think it's the "tortured artist" appeal. I like hearing him sing about being a coke-binging wanderer. It's kind of like... sad bastard music on par with mall emo pop, but for grown-ups. Or something.

I'm probably going to music snob hell for saying that.

@OhToWant1Thing: For me I think it's the "tortured artist" appeal. I like hearing him sing about being a coke-binging wanderer. It's kind of like... sad bastard music on par with mall emo pop, but for grown-ups. Or something.

I think that's it exactly. And that's why he pisses me off.

I saw him perform when he shared a bill with a fave band of mine a couple of summers ago in Prospect Park. Musically, he was fine - decent anguished folk-rock with a solid band behind him - but nothing earth-shattering. Even the hippie/emo kids did annoy me all that much. It was his schtick: Ray has this "I'm so painfully shy and hurting" thing that apparently precludes him being a polite human being. He came on the stage; he sang; he left. No thank yous to the crowd who paid nearly $50 and stood in line in the rain to get in. No band introductions (they were quite good). No acknowledgment of the opening band or band following him on the bill. Nothing. Seriously: how hard is it to say thank you?

The following week he dropped off the tour. I have a feeling it was more about 'assholishness' than 'shyness,' but that's just a guess.

@heyzeus: Whoever suggested this guy sounds like Jeff Buckley or Elliott Smith needs to be slapped. Hard and repeatedly.

@Tardy: It was his schtick: Ray has this "I'm so painfully shy and hurting" thing that apparently precludes him being a polite human being.

Actually, having seen the guy live, I have to agree -- his shy, retiring bullshit did nothing for me.

Still: the records are pretty. OhToWant1Thing is basically dead-on with the "sad bastard emo pop" thing.

If only it was a schtick! The guy really IS socially inept, and I think his music works precisely because it's understated. It doesn't grab you and shake you by the shoulders; just quietly asks to be let in and really reveals its strengths over time.

@owenmeany: I'm with you.

If you don't get it, you don't get it. Doesn't mean you have to shit all over it.

Didn't he get kicked off a Guster tour a couple of years ago for getting in a shouting match with a fan?