I’ve been kind of disappointed with a lot of the music I’ve bought lately. It’s not bad, but hardly any of the albums have that listen to obsessively quality.
It’s not on exclusive rotation or anything, but Josh Ritter’s The Animal Years has a little bit restored my faith in new music and especially new indie music. I think it takes a couple of listens, but it really grows on you.
Josh Ritter is a singer-songwriter from Idaho, and The Animal Years is his fourth full-length album. His style is very folksy, with simple lyrics peppered with references. This album is pretty serious, even political, but my favorite song is a light-hearted one called “Good Man.”
These chords are old but we shake hands
Cause I believe that they’re the good guys
We can use all the help we can
So many minor chords outside
I fell in love with the sound
Oh I love to sing along with you
The second-to-last song on the album, “Thin Blue Flame,” is a nine-minute tour de force, a bit angry and full of symbolism. You can get this one on his website, as well as the opener, “Girl in the War.” (He actually has a really nice website for a lesser-known artist, except for the Flash intro.)
And, hey, you don’t have to take my word for it. See what the critics have to say.
Josh Ritter is fantab.