Ray LaMontagne's raspy baritone accompanies bluesy, stirring lyrics and laidback bohemian strumming—a sound that seems more suited to the warm, tactile days of vinyl than today's distant Cloud. With a gut-punch of a voice, the singer brings a spare beauty to this brand of folk rock, burnishing gems like the quiveringly poignant "Jolene", or the weary yet bracing classic "Trouble". Tempering sorrowful lyrics with a tinge of hope, LaMontagne takes well-worn subject matter and makes it sound entirely new.