Is it really just four years since LaMontagne was opening for David Gray? Was it just me who thought: if you have indeed been saved by a woman, why do you keep barking on about your troubles?

Harsh, but here we are for album three of exquisitely played soul-blues, and here's me thawing a little but still not entirely convinced. Opener "You Are the Best Thing" sounds more Commitments than Motown and the less said about "Meg White", the better. The mellow moments fair better, though.

Pick of the album: 'A Falling Through' floats by painlessly