Can't stand just working, working and always thinking 'I'll get to my music when I'm up to date' - never gonna happen is it? Being up to date I mean ... so am just stopping now and then and listening and writing. Have to else I'll go nuts. And, for once, it would appear I am on the cusp of someone who is going to be big rather than listening to an album over 2 years old.

His name is Ray LaMontagne and his debut album is TROUBLE.

Let's start with the voice, husky, smokey and for one so young, sounds like a voice that has lived. If you check out his website you will see that he has indeed had a tough background and you can hear it. When you first get into his voice you think it would have a limited range but stay with it because he hasn't!
The title track opens the album and is probably, with just one other track, the most jaunty. But this is not a depressing album at all.
Shelter could become a standard and has the most weird time signatures which hooks you in even more.
The percussion/drums sound curiously outdated but they so work and add to the intamacy of the songs.
On Burn he adds a slight echo which makes the whole track beautifully haunting. But it's the outstanding lyrics which makes this an astonishing first album:
"...this heart on my sleeve that's bleeding" Burn
"When you kissed my mouth so full of questions" Hold You In My Arms"
"I'd walk one mile on just broken glass to fall down at your feet" Hannah

Forever Friend is my favourite track and is full of hope. This is going to be his new single. How Come is his statement on the world today - freedom, justice etc. And as we know, music has always been a potent force in which to carry a message.

And it all culminates in a breath taking, short song called All The Wild Horses. Epic in it's stillness.

And on top of that the CD cover is very cool and provocative. Listen to a new voice and some superb song writing if you dare.