Record Review: Josh Ritter – So Runs the World Away

When it comes to Josh Ritter I always say, “You can’t get much better than that”. Why you ask? Because over the course of five records Josh Ritter has grown as an artist and proven himself to be one of the best songwriters of our time (named top 100 songwriters alive by Paste Magazine) along such contemporaries as Jeff Tweedy, Steve Earle, David Bazan or Mark Kozelek. His songs are timeless and live he, and the newly dubbed Royal City Band, play their hearts out. I’ve never seen or met an artist more genuine than Josh Ritter.

I got the jump on his latest record by buying the limited “Record Store Day” vinyl because it included a CD and it was released two weeks before the actual CD came out (which is tomorrow). Folks, I do not own a record player (I hope that doesn’t ruin my indie cred) but I needed this record bad. Needless to say this record is pretty darn good.

Around the time Animal Years came out Ritter changed his sound in a good way; he started to learn the art of making records. By the time The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter was released his art had been perfected and as far as songwriting goes he was at the top of his game. You can hear this sound I am talking about, it’s very unique. Listen to “To the Dogs or Whoever”, Mind’s Eye” or “The Temptation of Adam” from Historical Conquests. Ritter’s sound is rough and edgy without sounding too indie. He started playing more electric guitar and the band got more atmospheric but not in a bad Radiohead kind of way.

So Runs the World Away starts where Historical Conquests left off, but if you are looking for an upbeat record you will be disappointed. There are certainly some catchy songs like the single “Change of Time” but overall it’s a fairly dark record.

The album starts out with some organ drones before kicking into the epic “Change of Time”, a catchy march which showcases Ritter again as a lyrical genius. The man can weave words. I’m no hippie but it’s almost as if his songs are painted on a large canvas; I can actually visualize everything he is singing about. Honestly though this album is dark and while there were always small traces of that on the last record but here it’s a recurring theme. Songs like “Rattling Locks” with a repeating chorus (sung by Ritter’s wife the equally talented Dawn Landes) of “black hole black hole” seem very sad but almost hypnotizing. Murder ballads like “Folk Bloodbath” with a victim named Deliah (just like Johnny Cash‘s) show Ritter not only as a great songwriter but a great storyteller.

There are some uplifting moments such as “Lantern” which is one of the only love songs on the record: “If there’s a book of jubilations/we’ll have to write it for ourselves.” Overall though Ritter’s voice is haunting and stark as can be heard in “See How Man Was Made” where he croons “man wasn’t meant to live alone”. By the albums closing number, “Long Shadows,” Ritter picks it back up. “I’m not afraid of the dark” he declares.

If you are looking for another Josh Ritter record with feel good moments like “Kathleen” or “Right Moves” you’ve come to the wrong place. If you are looking for yet another great Josh Ritter record, then it’s So Runs the World Away. Even at his most melancholy, it’s not as depressing as Red House Painters or something of that caliber. Some songs remind me of a Paul Simon “Born at the Right Time” kind of feel. Overall another amazing record for Josh Ritter, a record that gets better with each spin.

Josh Ritter will be at the Variety Playhouse on May 13.

Rating= AAAA

Listen: Josh Ritter – Change of Time

Posted in Music, Record Reviews.