First up in the top 5 is Josh Ritter’s The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter. I only recently came across Josh, and I’ve recently become a bit obsessed: the music ranges from sparse folk to stomping rockers, though the real attraction for me is his lyrics. Sometimes they’re immediate, lusty, and joyful, sometimes a bit more abstract, but there’s always something to dig into.
For example, the lead track “To The Dogs Or Whoever” probably best illustrates the title of the album, and the way he blends poetic imagery with more immediate concerns. In the song, Ritter compares a lover to “Florence, Calamity and Joan of Arc” immediately before saying “I love the way she looks in her underwear”.
Other standout tracks include the ballad “The Temptation of Adam”, which imagines a romance in a nuclear missile silo, and “Rumors” - a great, frustrated breakup song. Here’s a recent complete concert, starting off with the aforementioned “To The Dogs or Whoever”:
For more Josh, also check out The Animal Years, which is even better but came out in 2006!
For example, the lead track “To The Dogs Or Whoever” probably best illustrates the title of the album, and the way he blends poetic imagery with more immediate concerns. In the song, Ritter compares a lover to “Florence, Calamity and Joan of Arc” immediately before saying “I love the way she looks in her underwear”.
Other standout tracks include the ballad “The Temptation of Adam”, which imagines a romance in a nuclear missile silo, and “Rumors” - a great, frustrated breakup song. Here’s a recent complete concert, starting off with the aforementioned “To The Dogs or Whoever”:
For more Josh, also check out The Animal Years, which is even better but came out in 2006!
LATER EDIT: I forgot to mention that Ritter's from Moscow, Idaho - right near where I grew up.
5 comments:
1st impression (without reading your comments): voice is rough as hell. and "man, roddo sure does dig lyrics"
2nd impression (after reading your comments): hahahaa pretty much the first words are all about lyrics. i skip to 2nd song - a little less rough. yah, ok, maybe this guy is drunk, but i could see how it could grow on me.
3rd impression (skipped a half dozen songs in) oh, maybe this guy can sorta sing after all.
i'll give you a passing grade on this review. :P as this is may first listen, the jury is definitely still out tho...
Heathen! You're right about his voice being a bit ragged live though - it's clearer on the records, though I do like the live voice as well. Try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqLssKusGzM
Is this the first musician I've suggested you listen to, and that you've like, since I introduced you to Nick Cave and Massive Attack back in '98?
That was one long dry-spell.
-Mark
I agree. His lyrics definitely distinguish his songs from those of other songwriters. I love how he creates a separate, vivid world for each song, and how these worlds feel intensely personal, even if we're not always sure where he's coming from.
But as j said- his voice is so rough! I like his songs more when you're singing them...
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