Darren McLeod
05/16/06, 04:47 PM
Josh Ritter - The Animal Years
Release Date: April 11, 2006
Record Label: V2 Records
There’s something to be said for timing. Often, a mediocre release can gain hype and acclaim if there are no other anticipated releases coming out that day. Still other times, a great release can slide under the radar if there’s a plethora of good releases on a day. A victim of the latter is Josh Ritter, a folk singer who had the unfortunate circumstance of releasing his album on April 11th, the same date as popular albums from Saves The Day, Moneen, Punchline, and Hit The Lights. However, perhaps this (somewhat untimely) review will work to fix this dilemma, and The Animal Years will get the recognition it deserves.
Ritter’s enchanting voice is the showcase on the album, a collection of twelve folk songs that would definitely please fans of Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen (his folk work, at least), or recent favorites such as Okkervil River. Like these artists, Ritter is one of the few folk singers who manages to succeed in both slow ballads and uptempo numbers, neither style overshadowing the other.
Perhaps the strongest aspect of the album is that it manages to be diverse and yet still consistent. There isn’t a weak song to be found within the 11 on the disc, each one contributing to the success of the overall album. The opener, “Girl In The War,” is one of the stronger tracks on The Animal Years, lyrically introducing a conversation between the apostles Peter and Paul, while presenting us with the first of Ritter’s many captivating melodies.
“Idaho” is a brilliantly subtle track, one which seems at first listen to be a cappella, yet upon further inspection one can hear faint guitar plucking underneath. It is a chilling piece that really catapults Ritter’s voice to the forefront, displaying just how great it really is. “Good Man” is a pop gem, a song that would find a nice home on radio should V2 ever decide to release it as a single. It’s undeniably catchy, with the chorus of “Babe we both had dry spells, hard times in bad lands. I’m a good man for ya, I’m a good man” flowing over the guitar and piano in a toe-tapping rhythm.
The most ambitious track of the album is the lengthy “Blue Flame,” a track that has divided critics and fans alike. It is nine and a half minutes in length, with a long set of lyrics to match; Ritter’s dry statement of “it’s a Hell of a Heaven we must go to when we die” resonates brilliantly over the hum of the recording as Ritter succeeds in testing the listener's attention spans.
Upon first listen to this album, it is a good, respectable effort. After numerous listens, Ritter’s sensible pop hooks and irresistible melodies sink in and a true appreciation for the record will render itself apparent to the listener. A gem in the overcrowded world of singer-songwriter music, The Animal Years should be more than enough to secure Ritter a spot in modern folk.
Stream The Album (http://flashenhanced.com/joshritter/)
Release Date: April 11, 2006
Record Label: V2 Records
There’s something to be said for timing. Often, a mediocre release can gain hype and acclaim if there are no other anticipated releases coming out that day. Still other times, a great release can slide under the radar if there’s a plethora of good releases on a day. A victim of the latter is Josh Ritter, a folk singer who had the unfortunate circumstance of releasing his album on April 11th, the same date as popular albums from Saves The Day, Moneen, Punchline, and Hit The Lights. However, perhaps this (somewhat untimely) review will work to fix this dilemma, and The Animal Years will get the recognition it deserves.
Ritter’s enchanting voice is the showcase on the album, a collection of twelve folk songs that would definitely please fans of Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen (his folk work, at least), or recent favorites such as Okkervil River. Like these artists, Ritter is one of the few folk singers who manages to succeed in both slow ballads and uptempo numbers, neither style overshadowing the other.
Perhaps the strongest aspect of the album is that it manages to be diverse and yet still consistent. There isn’t a weak song to be found within the 11 on the disc, each one contributing to the success of the overall album. The opener, “Girl In The War,” is one of the stronger tracks on The Animal Years, lyrically introducing a conversation between the apostles Peter and Paul, while presenting us with the first of Ritter’s many captivating melodies.
“Idaho” is a brilliantly subtle track, one which seems at first listen to be a cappella, yet upon further inspection one can hear faint guitar plucking underneath. It is a chilling piece that really catapults Ritter’s voice to the forefront, displaying just how great it really is. “Good Man” is a pop gem, a song that would find a nice home on radio should V2 ever decide to release it as a single. It’s undeniably catchy, with the chorus of “Babe we both had dry spells, hard times in bad lands. I’m a good man for ya, I’m a good man” flowing over the guitar and piano in a toe-tapping rhythm.
The most ambitious track of the album is the lengthy “Blue Flame,” a track that has divided critics and fans alike. It is nine and a half minutes in length, with a long set of lyrics to match; Ritter’s dry statement of “it’s a Hell of a Heaven we must go to when we die” resonates brilliantly over the hum of the recording as Ritter succeeds in testing the listener's attention spans.
Upon first listen to this album, it is a good, respectable effort. After numerous listens, Ritter’s sensible pop hooks and irresistible melodies sink in and a true appreciation for the record will render itself apparent to the listener. A gem in the overcrowded world of singer-songwriter music, The Animal Years should be more than enough to secure Ritter a spot in modern folk.
Stream The Album (http://flashenhanced.com/joshritter/)