79 replies to this topic

[kessler]

New album out today, clips streaming at JoshRitter.com

Rave reviews:
Washington Post

THE HISTORICAL CONQUESTS OF JOSH RITTER

With his fifth studio album, singer-songwriter Josh Ritter busts out of his introspective, folk-rock shell with bracing abandon. Instead of merely working out melodies to fit his lyrics, the Idaho native first let his musical imagination run wild, writing, arranging and recording the basic tracks for the project before composing a single word. The result is his most freewheeling and satisfying record to date, a kaleidoscopic album that runs the gamut from unfussy orchestral pop to unfettered rock - and-roll.

Ritter wrote the music at the piano, an instrument that he barely knows how to play. Judging by the recorded evidence, the process was invigorating: The raucous exuberance and sense of discovery that pervade his album recall touchstones like "The Basement Tapes" by Bob Dylan and the Band, and "Mermaid Avenue" (Woody Guthrie material repurposed by Billy Bragg and Wilco). In the song "Rumors," in what amounts to a musical statement of purpose, Ritter exults, "Serenade me with rocks, love / No lullabies through the locks, love / Locked myself in with the band / But the music's never loud enough."

Gunfighters, saints and biblical figures populate Ritter's stream-of-consciousness lyrics, seemingly anyone or anything that the record's sprung rhythms and melodies conjured in his head. Approaching songwriting in this manner can be risky, but not only does it work here, it coheres in much the same oblique way that Dylan's more outlandish lyrics often do.

Ritter seems to know as much when, in his best impersonation of the bard, he sings, "He's riding the plains / Living up to his name / As the next to the last true romantic / He knows his story is tragic / But he can't rest / 'Til he's next / To you."

-- Bill Friskics-Warren

Amazon.com

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
You're presently reading about what may be the best album of 2007, hands down, by the most under-accorded American musical genius. Real murmurs, believable ones, came with Josh Ritter's 2006 album, Animal Year, suggesting that the Idahoan is today's Bruce Springsteen, today's Bob Dylan. He's never sounded more the part than on Historical Conquests, the follow-up to Animal. Ritter's tripping over his syllables and allusions on the opener, "To the Dogs or Whoever," dropping biblical and historical images like a fresh-faced Dylan. Except here, Ritter throws in an organ-fueled, ride-cymbal-crashing, drum-hefty clatter. It's majestic, and it's only the first three minutes. Recorded between stints on a never-ending tour, Historical reflects Ritter on the road, quick witted, a master of phraseology and of imagery. Horns show up as color, giving Ritter a soulful vibe on "Right Moves," a raucous funkiness on "Rumors," and a doleful cloudiness on "The Temptation of Adam." More than anything, Ritter here lays claim to absolute singularity--yes, colored by Dylan and Bruce but simultaneously enlivened by something magical and simple and gorgeous. --Andrew Bartlett




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[Rob Gordon]

lovin' this one

[thresholdofrevelation]

Pretty good stuff. I connected with the softer moments a lot more immediately than the other stuff. Need more listens.

[Rob Gordon]

sounding like Nick Lowe, especially vocally, on some of the songs. Love the one about a love affair in an underground nuclear missile silo.

[54cermak]

This reminded me alot of Nilsson's best stuff. Solid effort and way underrated.

[arkin]

haven't heard this, but I liked his last album a lot. I'll have to check it out.

[Miiilo]

I've heard there's an edition with a bonus EP--would anyone care to share the extra disc? Thx.

[avec]

hey thanks for this thread. I saw this album floating around on the somb and I've seen it being advertised but didn't pay any mind to it much. I clicked on his site and streamed the songs and they sound pretty well written and interesting. Just ordered the cd now, too. got a good feeling about it. double disc for only 11.99, not bad.

[vurt]

So I've been listening to this a lot lately and it's one of those things that I like more every time I hear it. The guy is a hell of a songwriter and the lyrics are pretty great too, especially on something like "The Temptation of Adam". I'm not usually big on the singer-songwriter type but for whatever reason this one is doing the business. I haven't actually heard anything else he's done but The Animal Years seems to get a lot of positive talk so I should probably check that out too.

[avec]

Oh yeah, this album is so great. The songwriting is superb. A touch of Dylan shines through in a couple songs (To The Dogs or Whoever), as well as quite a bit of summerteeth era Wilco on a couple songs (Right Moves, especially). What's so great about this release is that it's not a prototypical modern 'singer-songwriter' affair. He's got a great band backing him and they switch the mood around quite a bit, so he showcases a lot of versatility in his skills to adapt to those changes with his writing. Definitely not a mopey indie-emo songwriter guy. Like I've mentioned before I'm totally addicted to this one and it's definitely one of my favorites of the year. It also has stood in as my "wilco substitute," seeing how dissapointed I was with Sky Blue Sky. This fills the hole and then some, definitely. Good hooks and top knotch songwriting.

[54cermak]

Oh yeah, this album is so great. The songwriting is superb. A touch of Dylan shines through in a couple songs (To The Dogs or Whoever), as well as quite a bit of summerteeth era Wilco on a couple songs (Right Moves, especially). What's so great about this release is that it's not a prototypical modern 'singer-songwriter' affair. He's got a great band backing him and they switch the mood around quite a bit, so he showcases a lot of versatility in his skills to adapt to those changes with his writing. Definitely not a mopey indie-emo songwriter guy. Like I've mentioned before I'm totally addicted to this one and it's definitely one of my favorites of the year. It also has stood in as my "wilco substitute," seeing how dissapointed I was with Sky Blue Sky. This fills the hole and then some, definitely. Good hooks and top knotch songwriting.

The Wilco comparison is interesting. I've been trying to figure out why I'm so disappointed with Sky Blue Sky (though I don't think its as bad as some around here), since their influences and touchstones on SBS are very much up my alley right now.

At the same time, I love the Ritter album for many of the same reasons why I feel like I should love SBS. I think your point about the band's versatility and the way Ritter is able shift moods on a dime speaks to this. In this way, Ritter is much more in the mold of the 70s artists that I love. Iron & Wine's new one has some of this, but the songs aren't nearly as strong.

[The Luscious Phil]

Yeah this album is just fantastic. the bonus ep was pretty worthless though, four songs = 7 minutes?

[Elemeno P.T.]

I've got at least 3 records that are weak #1 candidates...hoping this blows me away. His previous records hint at greatness but all contain soft spots/filler.

[54cermak]

I've got at least 3 records that are weak #1 candidates...hoping this blows me away. His previous records hint at greatness but all contain soft spots/filler.

I've heard 3 of his albums and this is easily his best and most consistent. This is classic singer songwriter stuff in the Randy Newman/Nilsson/Zevon school (not that he sounds particularly like any of them except maybe Nilsson, just that he's mining that type of territory more than anyone else these days). The more I listen to it, the more I like it, whereas with some other one time #1 contenders, they've kind of grown apart from me over time.

[bunk]

I think the Animal Years was his best yet but this is pretty damn good.

[arkin]

I liked Animal Years, but this is incredible. I think maybe I need to spend more time with both, as they seem to deserve my attention.

[Boots]

Anyone able to up the EP for this?

[Waylon]

I saw this guy live once. It was about 5 years ago. I couldn't stand him. Should I reconsider? The Nick Lowe comparison makes me think I should reconsider.

[54cermak]

I saw this guy live once. It was about 5 years ago. I couldn't stand him. Should I reconsider? The Nick Lowe comparison makes me think I should reconsider.

Never seen him live, but on record he's evolved from more of a traditional folkie to a more band oriented singer-songwriter. Nick Lowe's not a bad reference point, either.

[Rob Gordon]

I saw this guy live once. It was about 5 years ago. I couldn't stand him. Should I reconsider? The Nick Lowe comparison makes me think I should reconsider.

Never seen him live, but on record he's evolved from more of a traditional folkie to a more band oriented singer-songwriter. Nick Lowe's not a bad reference point, either.

Yep, check this new one out Waylon...you will enjoy it immensely.