the Buzz for May 13th, 2011

13
May

Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs — “Old Before Your Time”
(from God Willin’ and the Creek Don’t Rise) — Old Before Your Time - God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise

Four glorious major-label releases into a compelling (and
exquisitely crafted) discography, the brilliant LaMontagne finally nabbed his very first Grammy Award back in February, picking up Best Contemporary Folk Album for God Willin’, a captivating collection of spry, atypically loose lamentations that Ray and his new band captured, almost on the fly, over the course of a single week last year. And just like the best of his most prominent predecessors — the dazzling David Gray, to be sure, but think bolder: think Don McLean, think Neil Young, think very early Elton John, even — LaMontagne, when he’s on his game, has this uncanny knack for using his warm yet weary voice to pierce right through your soul, leaving all manner of lovely debris in its wake and yet simultaneously leaving you graced and grateful for having been granted the experience of exposure.