November 2015 CD of the Month

An Acoustic Set With Josh Ritter From Sermon On The Rocks On The Day It Is Released

January 9, 2013 - Josh Ritter joins host David Dye at the State Theater in Ithaca, New York. Josh Ritter recorded his debut in 1999 but it was his second record, 2002’s Golden Age of Radio, that caught the attention of a larger audience.

Over the past decade Josh Ritter has made some incredible, pure singer-songwriter records. His gift of verse and creative storytelling has yielded more than a handful of albums, another handful of EPs and even his first novel back in 2011. Prolific and engaging, it’s always been easy to get wrapped up in his stories on songs like “Girl In the War” and “The Curse,” songs that could spawn their own novels. Josh seems to find ease in telling the story through the eyes of his characters, and that’s what makes his latest album, The Beast in Its Tracks (Pytheas Recordings), the biggest departure of his career.

American singer-songwriter and guitarist Josh Ritter has forged a connection between narrator and musician. His lyrics and his performances tell stories to audiences, utilizing an Americana style unique to his music. Ritter is also an author. He published his first novel, Bright’s Passage, in 2011.

Josh Ritter is a prime example of an artist getting better and better as he goes along. We all knew he was super-talented, but even that didn't prepare me for the genius of this new album The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter. It's a bona fide best of '07 contender, and a completely rewarding listening experience, whether you hear the album from start to finish or hear it a song at a time. Ritter's got it goin' on...

An understated gem, Josh Ritter’s second album Hello Starling is an album not to be missed this year.

First listens to this Idaho-born singer-songwriter will reveal touchstones as familiar as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, even Tim Hardin.

In a musical climate where pure singer-songwriters are burdened by competition for attention and ears, it seems cliché yet appropriate to say that the cream rises to the top. And with that, Josh Ritter is a name who has continued to engage and grow artistically with each record. His latest So Runs The World Away continues a progression of agreeable, literate releases from the Idaho native.

Josh Ritter is a prime example of an artist getting better and better as he goes along. We all knew he was super-talented, but even that didn't prepare me for the genius of this new album The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter. It's a bona fide best of '07 contender, and a completely rewarding listening experience, whether you hear the album from start to finish or hear it a song at a time. Ritter's got it goin' on...

The Animal Years is JOSH RITTER's coming of age album. The 29 year old Idaho native has been troubadour-ing it for several years now, and all of his experience and songwriting know-how have been brought together on this new release.

An understated gem, Josh Ritter’s second album Hello Starling is an album not to be missed this year.

First listens to this Idaho-born singer-songwriter will reveal touchstones as familiar as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, even Tim Hardin.