God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise
by Ray LaMontagne
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Aug 17, 2010
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
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  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    91
    Though he's reluctant to vary his sound, the end results are far too magnetic, far too majestic and far too masterful to even allow a twinge of disappointment.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    88
    God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise has a natural feel, comfortably ranging from bar-band rave-ups to contemplative acoustic numbers, with master pedal steel player Greg Leisz leading several tracks into the expertly unfussy territory of blue-chip Nashville country rock.
  3. musicOMH.com
    80
    LaMontagne has surrounded himself with the best possible company, and long-time fans should find that the payoff is something to marvel at.
  5. The Guardian
    80
    Thankfully, his shot-to-pieces, Joe Cockeresque rasp entirely suits songs that seem to give more of themselves with every listen.
  6. Uncut
    80
    He's rarely sounded so utterly engaged. [Oct 2010, p.99]
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  7. Q Magazine
    80
    As he switches from the blues shuffle of Repo Man to pedal steel laments, country rock, and even lovelorn soul, you can't help but marvel at the knack Ray LaMontagne has for really inhabiting his songs. [Oct 2020, p.111]
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  8. Boston Globe
    80
    LaMontagne is a complex man who won't talk about his personal life, so we don't know how many of these songs are autobiographical, but they touch upon universal themes and they touch deeply.
  9. PopMatters
    70
    It's his most country sounding CD yet, with lovely pedal steel and banjo and harmonica backing his melodious vocals. There's no mistaking it, Lamontagne's target audience is not the tween-agers nor the youth market at all. This recording will reach a largely under appreciated adult contemporary market.
  10. Slant Magazine
    70
    Since the album finds LaMontagne working without producer and multi-instrumentalist Ethan Johns for the first time, it isn't terribly surprising that the singer is a bit unsteady in taking the reins. Still, it's the things that LaMontagne gets right on God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise that make it his strongest, most cohesive album to date and a deeply soulful take on contemporary blues and folk.
  11. Spin
    70
    There's not much emotional nuance in Ray LaMontagne's fourth album, which maintains a brokenhearted downer elegance, similar to Neil Young at his most somber and sepia-toned, sung in a beautiful wail that Van Morrison might envy.
  12. Billboard.com
    70
    Every ounce of pain and acceptance rings true, not only through his raw vocal virtuosity but also thorough very live, immediate-sounding production that leaves deliberate, closely guarded space in otherwise active arrangements.
  13. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    It doesn't take long for the singer to retreat into his beard for some Laurel Canyon-style sensitivity exercises. With a band this agile, it's a shame he doesn't dance a little more.
  14. The Boston Phoenix
    63
    His simple songs come closer to eclipsing their cliches and becoming classics when they aren't buttered with dobro and pedal-steel arrangements that sound like afterthoughts. But when you're allowed to get close to the raw artist, you witness something truly special.

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User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Jaytch
    Nov 5, 2010
    9
    The latest release from Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs is a masterful continuation of the recording and performing genius of LaMontagne.The latest release from Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs is a masterful continuation of the recording and performing genius of LaMontagne. This is his, and his band's, best display of instrumental talent to date. The guitar work is miles better than that on his previous recordings. The lap steel and slide guitars are a beautiful touch, adding a layer of texture and context throughout. Ray's voice is still plenty raspy, but the extra breathiness has been cut down, which is a great thing. His vocals are as good as ever with his phrasing and dynamics even more refined. As a songwriter, LaMontagne has had stronger efforts in the past, but looking at the album as a whole, it is his best yet. The melodies are simple, interesting, and intriguing the way that melodies are meant to be with equally relevant lyrical messages. 7 of the 10 songs are 5 star songs, with the other 3 getting a 4 out of 5 rating. This is folk music at it's best. The album layout and song order is put together well, no complaints here. The production is strong and clear with just enough softening around the edges and speaks to the quality of the albums mixing and mastering. Overall, a great record. I can't say that I'm surprised.… Full Review »
  2. AudioDog
    Aug 27, 2010
    6
    God Willing & The Creek Don't Rise, is the title of the newest album by Ray Lamontagne. Backed by his studio band, dubbed The Pariah Dogs,God Willing & The Creek Don't Rise, is the title of the newest album by Ray Lamontagne. Backed by his studio band, dubbed The Pariah Dogs, Lamontagne has created an album that deserves attention. Nicely enough for those of us who still use record players, this album has also been released on vinyl (and they were nice enough to throw in a free mp3 version with the vinyl purchase).

    The album begins with Repo Man, a lesson in groovy blues with the flavour of Stevie Ray Vaughan thrown into the mix. Definitely one of the better songs on the album, Repo Man is the perfect song to accompany Lamontagne's raspy voice. It's quick, it's got kick, and it's the perfect opener for the album.

    'New York City's Killing Me' is a contrast to the preceding song. Ray slows it down here with a heartfelt tune about feeling out of place, or rather a song about being stuck in a place he doesn't belong, or doesn't want to be, longing for change and freedom. Unfortunately, it brought me down, way down from the high I got from 'Repo Man'. It's almost too much of a jolt to enjoy it.

    Track three, which shares it's name with the album itself, feels even slower. The tempo, the raspy voice; it almost feels like I'm back in the 80's with a Bob Seger tune playing on the radio. This trend toward slow songs with a lilting, depressing feel become the albums weak points.

    The fourth track, Beg Steal or Borrow, is the only song I've heard on the radio from this album. Someone purchasing the album based solely on this song may find themselves wishing for more tracks of this calibre on the disc. Fortunately this one speeds it up a little bit, something much needed on this album. Beg Steal or Borrow has a country/folk sound to it, and along with Repo Man, it is one of my favourites.

    I've listened to this album a handful of times now, and I find myself often skipping tracks simply because they are so slow and lacklustre. It feels like Lamontagne was in a sad sad place when he wrote these songs, and he wanted us to be right there with him. I just can't sit through songs like 'Are We Really Through', and 'This Love is Over' because it feels like they're trying to pull me down into a place I don't want to be. A place of despair that doesn't do me any good at all. These songs aren't bad, but I'd definitely have to be in a low and reflectively silent mood to enjoy them.

    Old Before Your Time picks it up again, starting out with a plucking banjo and a simple beat and nice clear, defined guitar work. It's one of those songs that you tap your foot along to, and makes you feel fairly good about life. Again, his raspy voice works very well here, creating a picture of an experienced man singing the wisdom learned through life's hard lessons.

    The last tune on the album, The Devil's in the Jukebox, is a song with depth. Backed by a beat, rhythm guitar, and harmonica that actually sound somehow further away than the vocals, this song puts you right into the middle of the band. It feels more like a group of pals playing music out in a field by the light of a campfire, a little unpolished, and a whole lot of real feeling.

    God Willing & The Creek Don't Rise is a good album. It's worth a listen if you enjoy folksy/bluesy music, but the momentum of the album is definitely a drawback for me. Overall, it simply seems plagued by depression. For this reason, the album is definitely not useful as background music. When used as background music, all the slow songs seem to drag together, creating the feel of one very long and whiny episode.

    The album gets a 3 out of 5, though I wish I could give it a higher rating because Ray seems like a likeable, down to earth sort of guy.    … Full Review »
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