on "the historical conquests of josh ritter"

Last night found us perusing the bins at Vertigo. In a surprise move, I walked out with Tom Waits "Real Gone"--heavenly on vinyl, I might add-- and though he had been on a quest for what seems like years for this (it's all about the cover) Peter bought the new Josh Ritter on cd. Normally I would give an album a few listens before tossing my two cents in the ring, but I was struck by my one and only go through so I'm gonna go for it. T'won't be comprehensive and track by track, but more of a general overall review.

I loved it. Absolutely loved it. This album is by no means perfect, but the tradeoff is getting to hear a great singer-songwriter stretch himself. And at times he IS near perfect:

If this was the Cold War we could keep each other warm I said on the first occasion that I met Marie We were crawling through the hatch that was the missile silo door And I don’t think that she really thought that much of me

I never had to learn to love her like I learned to love the Bomb She just came along and started to ignore me But as we waited for the Big One I started singing her my songs And I think she started feeling something for me

From "The Temptation of Adam"

I understand why those who have been fans since "The Golden Age of Radio" or even "Hello Starling" might be disappointed. This is more produced (a criticism I had of "The Animal Years") and slick and he sometimes relies on vocal production trickery which is unnecessary. But much like Dylan going electric, this album is a turning point in a positive way. This is Josh Ritter trying something new and in my opinion succeeding.

He's playing at the Blind Pig in October, but I hesitate to go. I got to see him last spring in one of my most favorite venues with one of my most favorite people. The Blind Pig is NOT one of my favorite venues and I think I'd like to have that memory of Josh Ritter more than I'd like to see him in a way too small venue.

But if he is coming to a venue near you I highly recommend the show. He made me love songs I originally disliked on The Animal Years when I heard him play them live. I can only guess the same will be true for The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter.