Ray LaMontagne - Trouble

Ray LaMontagne - Trouble

Trouble introduced LaMontagne to the world with its raw, emotive vocals, spare yet evocative instrumentation, and introspective songwriting. It set the tone for his style: soulful, somewhat rough-around-the-edges, but deeply resonant.

The album was praised by critics; publications like The Guardian and Uncut gave strong reviews.

Commercially, it sold well, especially over time. It has been certified platinum and had enduring popularity including in the UK, where several tracks charted.

It features contributions from other musicians: Sara Watkins (fiddle, backing vocals), Jennifer Stills, etc. These touches help broaden the texture beyond solo acoustic.

In 2025, LaMontagne released a remastered vinyl edition to mark the 20th anniversary of Trouble.

He also planned a Trouble 20th Anniversary Tour, performing the album in full. The tour was later rescheduled due to health issues.

The anniversary edition reflects how Trouble has endured as a touchstone in his career.

 

Track Listing

  1. Trouble 
  2. Shelter 
  3. Hold You in My Arms 
  4. Narrow Escape 
  5. Burn 
  6. Forever My Friend 
  7. Hannah 
  8. How Come 
  9. Jolene 
  10. All the Wild Horses 

Artistic & Musical Highlights

  • Vocal style: LaMontagne’s voice is distinctive — husky, emotional, capable of both tenderness and rawness. On Trouble, it feels especially immediate, as if in one’s room.

  • Instrumentation & production: Ethan Johns’ production is relatively restrained—guitar, minimal electric/ambient touches, some strings/fiddle/ backing vocals—serving the songs rather than overwhelming them.

  • Lyrical themes: Many songs deal with longing, heartbreak, regret, the weight of life’s struggles, seeking redemption (“Trouble,” “How Come”), love (“Hold You in My Arms,” “Forever My Friend”) and memory (“Hannah”).

Signature tracks:

  • “Trouble” is the standout title track: acts like a mission statement.

  • “Hold You in My Arms” and “Shelter” showcase vulnerability and the more tender side of his sound.

  • “All the Wild Horses” closes the album with a sense of sweeping reflection.