Let It Be Him

I'm a couple days early, but I'm just so looking forward to the release of Ray LaMontagne's new album, Gossip in the Grain, on Tuesday that I wanted to get something up here now so you could spend the weekend downloading some tracks and being just as excited as I am for it. Ray's most recent album, Til the Sun Turns Black, was one of my favorite albums of 2006 (it still is a favorite). This new one sounds even better. I mean, check out "You Are the Best Thing," which you can download here or just listen to here. There's a music video up at Amazon.com that pretty much nails the sultry, romantic vibe of the song. There's another track, "Meg White," up for previewing at Stereogum. Those two are great, but for weeks now I've been hooked on another track, "Let It Be Me," which you can download here or listen to here. If you ask me, songs don't get much more beautiful than this one. I've posted the lyrics below so you can follow along while the song plays. Please, do yourself a favor and run to Best Buy or Newbury Comics (or whatever your favorite music retailer is) on Tuesday and buy this album. Or, just go right to iTunes right now and pre-order it. I haven't heard all of GitG yet, but I will promise you that you won't be disappointed.

"Let It Be Me"
There may come a time, a time in everyone's life
where nothin' seems to go your way,
where nothing seems to turn out right.
There may come a time, you just can't seem to find your way.
For every door you walk on to, seems like they get slammed in your face.

That's when you need someone, someone that you can call.
And when all your faith is gone, feels like you can't go on,
let it be me.
Let it be me.
If it's a friend that you need,
let it be me.
Let it be me.

Feels like you're always comin' on home,
pockets full of nothin and you got no cash.
No matter where you turn you ain't got no place to stand.
Reach out for something and they slap your hand.
Now I remember all too well
just how it feels to be all alone.
You feel like you'd give anything
for just a little place you can call your own.

That's when you need someone, someone that you can call.
And when all your faith is gone, feels like you can't go on,
let it be me.
Let it be me.
If it's a friend you need,
let it be me.
Let it be me.





Update 10/11: I found it all. Click here to download the full album.