Jim James’ production influence is especially profound on Ouroboros, Ray LaMontagne’s sixth album, making it the most drastic departure of his career. A hodgepodge of tones, textures and ambient atmospherics, these haunting mood pieces veer dramatically from the dusty veneer that once brought the Grammy winner comparisons to The Band, Van Morrison, Tim Buckley, Stephen Stills and others of a slightly tattered edge. If anything, Ouroboros resembles a Pink Floyd album of their earlier variety, with songs such as “While It Still Beats,” “In My Own Way” and “The Changing Man” suggesting some sort of cosmic illumination. However, there’s also a darker side to several of these songs, which can make a preliminary listen a somewhat intimidating encounter. Nevertheless, LaMontagne takes pains to offer reassurance on the opening track and first single, the aptly named “Hey, No Pressure.” “Anything you want your life to mean, it can mean.” It’s a lesson he’s taken to heart here, given these left-of-center melodies and their freewheeling deliveries. And while it shatters any stereotypes that his earlier albums might have left in their wakes, the album is a testament to both his and James’ willingness to experiment and tamper with the template. It’s little wonder that, given its laborious musings, Ouroboros isn’t an album that fully gels through a single listen. With time, however, it appears quite profound.
News
Archive- Galactic Welcome Grace Potter, Skerik and More at Tipitina’s
- Steve Earle, Guster, Sarah Jarosz and More Added to The Music of Crosby, Stills and Nash at Carnegie Hall
- Watch: Umphrey’s McGee Present UMBowl X, with Debuts, Bust-Outs, Fan-Guided Jams and ‘Top Gun’
- Greensky Bluegrass Announce ‘The Iceland Sessions’ Featuring Holly Bowling
- Phish Gift Drew Carey Signed Blender, Following Sphere Comments
- Start Me Up: The Rolling Stones Commence Stadium Tour in Houston, Offer Debuts and Bust Outs
- Watch: Dave Matthews Band Take Royal Albert Hall, with Robben Ford Sit-in and “Dreamgirl” Bust-out
- Listen: The String Cheese Incident Share ‘Lend Me a Hand’ Bonus Track “Roll Around The Sun”
Most Popular
- Jaimoe to Participate in One-Off Performance with Friends of the Brothers in Fairfield
- Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule Pay Tribute to Dickey Betts at SweetWater 420 with Allman Brothers Band Classics
- Borderland Festival Plots 2024 Return with The Black Crowes, CAAMP, Marcus King, Dark Star Orchestra and More
- The Rolling Stones Announce North American Tour Openers: Widespread Panic, Tyler Childers, Bettye LaVette and More
- Latest Installment of Jerry Garcia Live Series, ‘February 13th, 1976 Keystone Berkeley’ Receives Release Date
- Marcus King Band Family Reunion to Return for First Time Since 2019 with The Avett Brothers, Sierra Ferrell and More
- Trey Anastasio Talks New Vermont Divided Sky Residential Recovery Program
- Goose Goes Back to Class: Band Members Return to Former High School for Student and Staff Concerts
No Comments comments associated with this post