How do you follow a debut record that achieved out-of-the-blue grandeur on its way to selling a quarter of a million copies? For Maine's Ray LaMontagne, it's all about shaking up the formula, evading repetition and delivering the unexpected. Till the Sun Turns Black finds the introspective singer/songwriter complementing his folk-country ways with traces of strings and horns and spooky soulful background voices. Songs like "You Can Bring Me Flowers" and "Three More Days" are the most R&B-influenced, the latter shuffling about ala The Band or Tony Joe White. Despite its brooding lyrics, "Empty" has a rollicking, almost breezy delivery, a perfect balance to either the hushed title track, the unnerving "Be Here Now" or the horn-fortified waltz, "Gone Away From Me." Throughout the 11-song sequence, and especially on the final song "Within You," LaMontagne's voice remains the record's most crucial element, as vibrant as it is tattered and as harsh as it is flawless. --Scott Holter

I have only had this album for two days and it is already one of my favourites! Although I had heard of Ray Lamontagne, I had not heard any of his music and ordered this album from Amazon on a whim. Just pure beautiful music, very Damian Rice-esque, execpt more upbeat!!

My brother pointed me to Ray lamontagne, I have not listened to the Trouble album But I love this... The lyrics and the singing are very emotional and do touch the listener.

Only 4 stars because 5 is reserved for those albums that are just amazing... which for me doesn't happen very often!

'Till the Sun...' is so much more better than 'Trouble' in so many ways, I think I'd have to be a quadruped with 60 toes to count them all! (But one reason it's better is that it's offensibly, criminally dirt-cheap compared to trouble!) 'Be Here Now' almost reaches out of the darkness with its overdone horn and string arrangements, giving it a somewhat dream-like quality. The next track, 'Empty', is by far the best song on the album, with deep, emotional, bleak lyrics and a good mixture of piano, gentle percussion, strings and Ray on the guitar. 'Lay with Me' is also quite a sweet tune about breaking inhibitions, and 'Three More Days' is a funky, soulful little number. At first you'll be of mixed opinion, but I think Ray's done himself proud with this one. 'Within You' is also a great song, which really carries itself, based on a Beatlesy anti-war theme. Trouble was an album for soul-searching; this album is all about finding your soul and really wrestling with it.

Initially I wasn't that impressed with Ray's second album, perhaps it was the mood I was in at the time but I am so glad I perservered. This album is now clamouring to be in favourite 10 ten albums. Better than his first album.

get this album its so mellow so full of soul chilled me right out , he has an awesome voice like melted chocolate !!!!! excellent use of strings on the first track sent shivers down my spine i love it !!!!