Josh Ritter – So Runs The World Away (11/07/2012)
To say that this songwriter is kind of talented would be an understatement – indeed, he holds rank in Paste Magazine's Top 100 Living Songwriters. The extremely affable Josh Ritter has released another album of his TV-drama-friendly, comforting contemporary folk. (Yes, I'm looking at you, Grey's Anatomy).
Ritter's voice has a familiar quality, which infuses all of his songs with an inviting warmth. He sits amongst the genres of folk and alternative country – which can both draw the label of 'Americana' – but his music is accented with a global lilt which makes it accessible. Perhaps it was while touring Ireland on invitation from Glen Hansard of The Frames that Ritter developed his worldly appeal and charm.
Piano waltz 'The Curse' is an obvious highlight on So Runs The World Away, showing off Ritter's rhythmic hues and deft knack for melodically bittersweet folk-ballads. In a similar vein, 'Change of Time' features marching band drums and a repeated choral hook that has garnered attention and a place on the Parenthood soundtrack.
Theatrical 'Another New World' is an epic, rambling story of an existentialist voyage across vast oceans that is certainly ambitious and perhaps too long to hold all listeners attention. However, the novelist in Josh Ritter comes to the party, and the lyrics read like a poem in their own right. Comparisons to Bob Dylan are understandable, as the craft of songwriter-as-wordsmith is a medium Ritter clearly enjoys working through in his music.
'Another New World' is the most interesting and revealing song on So Runs The World Away, as it highlights Ritter's capacity to paint elaborate stories with prose, and delve deeper into the subconscious and the metaphor. Annabel Lee is “the most beautiful ship in the sea,” taking on a personality and history befitting a vast romance between sailor and ship. A gendered personification of ships is certainly not a new concept, but Ritter takes it a step further, suggesting that the ship is his lover, his partner, so he has no cause to look over his shoulder or wave his cap as the voyage departs.
'The Remnant' is a jaunty ride worth a special mention – the remix on the To The Yet Unknowing World EP is especially notable. It's a song also worth listening to if you are wondering where his Twitter byline comes from.
So Runs The World Away comes with a bonus EP Bringing In The Darlings, which showcases Ritter's songwriting chops when stripped to the raw, acoustic bones. 'Darlin'' is a sombre ditty with minor chord changes that lead wonderfully into a sweetly pining chorus, and 'Love Is Making Its Way Back Home' will have you almost certain you have found yourself in a Starbucks in NYC.
Josh Ritter is a gifted songwriter and lyricist, and his turn of phrase is emotive and sophisticated. “Pretend that the search for another new world was well worth the burning of mine” is a sentiment that captures his linguistic finesse, enquiring mind and travelling troubadour inclinations poignantly.
Rebecca McCann
Ritter's voice has a familiar quality, which infuses all of his songs with an inviting warmth. He sits amongst the genres of folk and alternative country – which can both draw the label of 'Americana' – but his music is accented with a global lilt which makes it accessible. Perhaps it was while touring Ireland on invitation from Glen Hansard of The Frames that Ritter developed his worldly appeal and charm.
Piano waltz 'The Curse' is an obvious highlight on So Runs The World Away, showing off Ritter's rhythmic hues and deft knack for melodically bittersweet folk-ballads. In a similar vein, 'Change of Time' features marching band drums and a repeated choral hook that has garnered attention and a place on the Parenthood soundtrack.
Theatrical 'Another New World' is an epic, rambling story of an existentialist voyage across vast oceans that is certainly ambitious and perhaps too long to hold all listeners attention. However, the novelist in Josh Ritter comes to the party, and the lyrics read like a poem in their own right. Comparisons to Bob Dylan are understandable, as the craft of songwriter-as-wordsmith is a medium Ritter clearly enjoys working through in his music.
'Another New World' is the most interesting and revealing song on So Runs The World Away, as it highlights Ritter's capacity to paint elaborate stories with prose, and delve deeper into the subconscious and the metaphor. Annabel Lee is “the most beautiful ship in the sea,” taking on a personality and history befitting a vast romance between sailor and ship. A gendered personification of ships is certainly not a new concept, but Ritter takes it a step further, suggesting that the ship is his lover, his partner, so he has no cause to look over his shoulder or wave his cap as the voyage departs.
'The Remnant' is a jaunty ride worth a special mention – the remix on the To The Yet Unknowing World EP is especially notable. It's a song also worth listening to if you are wondering where his Twitter byline comes from.
So Runs The World Away comes with a bonus EP Bringing In The Darlings, which showcases Ritter's songwriting chops when stripped to the raw, acoustic bones. 'Darlin'' is a sombre ditty with minor chord changes that lead wonderfully into a sweetly pining chorus, and 'Love Is Making Its Way Back Home' will have you almost certain you have found yourself in a Starbucks in NYC.
Josh Ritter is a gifted songwriter and lyricist, and his turn of phrase is emotive and sophisticated. “Pretend that the search for another new world was well worth the burning of mine” is a sentiment that captures his linguistic finesse, enquiring mind and travelling troubadour inclinations poignantly.
Rebecca McCann