I’ve been characterized by some of this site’s commenters as cranky and ill-informed in the past, so maybe one of you can enlighten me regarding a recent dilemma. (I’m not trying to start a fight, I promise.) People keep telling me that I should check out Ray LaMontagne. Why?
I had nearly forgotten about LaMontagne (whose last name is no fun to type at all) until hearing about his upcoming appearance at Radio City Music Hall. Apparently, he sold out the Beacon Theatre when he last played New York, so I guess he can fill up Radio City. But I generally can tolerate rootsy singer-songwriter types–by which I mean, I really like one Ryan Adams disc–and I don’t find LaMontagne enjoyable to listen to at all.
The most puzzling adjective that I find in reviews of LaMontagne’s music is “soulful.” My immediate assumption is that these writers are pulling that term from a press release–but if they aren’t, why? I guess his raspier tone gives him the appearance of being more authentic than some of the twenty year old singer songwriters flooding Triple-A radio stations these days, but a vocal style itself doesn’t instantly grant “soul,” does it? I like Rod Stewart’s “Young Turks” a lot, but I wouldn’t call it “soulful”. Otherwise, the comparison that seems to keep coming up is Van Morrison, which I understand a little if we’re referring to the “Wait, this guy used to be really good, didn’t he?” era of Morrison’s career, but I don’t think I hear an Astral Weeks coming from this guy, unless he’s just using a series of goofy covers to buy himself some time before creating his masterpiece.
So, can anyone explain the appeal?
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.
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:
@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.”
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?