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Entertainment Weekly

He finally has the sumptuous, sweeping arrangements to go along with his ruminative road stories and stream-of-consciousness, Dylanesque folk. [14 Apr 2006, p.86]

The Onion (A.V. Club)

An album that sounds simultaneously deeply personal and in tune with confusing times.

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Prefix Magazine

The Animal Years feels effortless.

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All Music Guide

While he retains his literate tongue and expressive voice, there is far less humor on Animal Years than on his previous two outings.

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Mojo

Despite having some of Ritter's least introspective lyrics, there are some of his most emotionally affecting songs. [Apr 2006, p.98]

The Guardian

His voice - think Springsteen without the gruffness, or maybe a meat-eating James Taylor - is more intimate than ever.

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Q Magazine

Melodic, understated, yet with much natural warmth too, Ritter's time has surely come. [Apr 2006, p.119]

Uncut

There's a tendency to drift rather than fully engage, but... "Wolves" and... "Thin Blue Line"... dazzle with poetic imagery and invention. [Apr 2006, p.102]

The New York Times

Through previous albums, his love songs and narratives have grown ever more phantasmagorical, and now he's writing oracular meditations. Love and war, faith and music, restlessness and a longing for home pervade his new songs, which might turn pretentious if they weren't so grounded in folky melody. [10 Apr 2006]

Under The Radar

There's something subtly majestic and quitely engaging about the music of Josh Ritter. [#13, p.88]

Slant Magazine

Animal Years sounds unsettled: the arrangements are far too bombastic for this record's purposes.

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Stylus Magazine

On the whole, Animal Years seems dashed off. Of course, dashed off by a clever songwriter with a helluva voice makes Animal Years a decent album.

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cokemachineglow

He establishes grand lyrical arches, overworked symbols, and Deep Meaning. Problem is, he forgets any of the emotion, realism, or originality that would make anyone care.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 26 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Patrick gave it a10:
Exceptional! I bought the CD after hearing "Girl In the War" on the radio. The song really caught my ear and I was intrigued with the lyrics. After listening to a few more cuts on I-tunes I decided to buy the CD. I'm extremely glad I did! I love this CD! I am now a Josh Ritter fan and can't wait to hear his next effort.

Trip S gave it a10:
Best CD of 2006, hands down, and Ritter's breakthrough album.

Andrew G gave it a9:
Truly magnificent, surely the top of the pile of the recent surge of american singer-songwriters. Ritter has an increadible melodic and lyrical ability with just enough injection of personality to set him apart from his contemery. Surely this is his time.

Garth E gave it a7:
Strong-yes, different-not so much. Typifies the singer-songwriter but doesn't expand on it. If you buy this Album, which is worth several or more listens, do not buy Jason Collett's debut, as Ritter's could easly fall by the wayside. Like it, not in a love sort of way.

kevin t gave it an8:
A great album. Girl in the War and Thin Blue Line are worth the purchase alone. Saw him live recently and he was excellent. Full of emotion.

Rickard B gave it an8:
A very good record. I really enjoyed the last three albums, and this is surely as good as the others, which means its great!

brian c gave it a10:
great album that i recommend to all my friends. lyrics touch important and timely topics

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The Animal Years

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