Liner Notes | Andy Rathbun LaMontagne delivers an album fit for LP turntable

Published 6:01 pm Friday, August 13, 2010

Ray LaMontagne gives his backing band, the Pariah Dogs, more play on his fourth studio album, “God Willin’ &the Creek Don’t Rise,” out Tuesday.

TRIVIA: LaMontagne worked in a shoe factory in Lewiston, Maine, before launching his career as a folksy singer-songwriter.

STANDOUTS: LaMontagne kicks off the sad-eyed “New York City’s Killing Me” with the line, “There’s just something about this hotel got me wishing I was dead.”

FANS DIG: Flannel.

ANDY SAYS: LaMontagne smoothes out his raspy delivery and adds some countrified accents — banjo, slide guitar — on his new album. Despite those slight changes, his timeless writing remains strong. He builds these 10 tracks around melancholy lyrics and strong melodies that seem crafted for delivery via a record player, not an iPod.

GRADE: A-minus.

Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455; arathbun@heraldnet.com