Review: Ray Lamontagne disc dully sexy

Can sexy also be dull? Ray Lamontagne straddles the line between the two in his latest release, "Till the Sun Turns Black." He starts strong before ending 10 songs later with a whimper.

From the smoky vocals and unusual pacing to the orchestral string section and the barely audible chatter in the background, the opening track, "Be Here Now," is a masterpiece — a love affair in song.

The strength of "Empty" is its lyrics: "I never learned to count my blessings. I choose instead to dwell on my disasters."

"Three More Days," with its organ, electric guitar and horn section, is an intoxicating, bluesy number in the vein of Lamontagne's 2004 hit, "Trouble."

But right after taking charge and rocking out, Lamontagne drifts a bit too close to schlock with the next track, "Can I Stay."

While his breathy, raspy vocals are perfectly suited to certain songs, they vary little. What begins as provocative and seductive becomes predictable and grating midway through the disk — too much of a good thing.

The album's closing track, "Within You," is downright boring.

Ray Lamontagne, "Till the Sun Turns Black" (RCA Records)

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