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Lost At Sea

The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter finds namesake and frontman Ritter boldly claiming musical territory with a reinvented sound, turning from the meticulous arrangements and somber ruminations of his previous album to a more daring, moxie-charged approach that yields some of the freshest, most captivating songs of his career.

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Entertainment Weekly

The Historical Conquests of..., a sprawling diorama of down-home rhythms and thoughtful lyrics, isn't immediately striking. But there's a joy in unfurling the half-submerged melodies and wry, tender sentiments.

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Sputnikmusic

The Historical Conquests is astonishing for its depth of exploration in the folk genre.

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Amazon.com

You're presently reading about what may be the best album of 2007, hands down, by the most under-accorded American musical genius.

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Paste Magazine

The resulting album is as lean, rambunctious and snarling as its predecessor was stately.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

The Historical Conquests is at its best when Ritter's off-the-cuff approach intersects with a winning pop melody, as on 'Right Moves' and 'Empty Hearts,' where the neatly arranged horns, fiddles, and piano play against Ritter's tumbling lyrics.

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The Guardian

'Right Moves,' meanwhile, is the kind of soppy-hearted, joy-fuelled singalong tune American freeways, convertibles and radios were designed for. If it doesn't make Ritter a star, nothing can.

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Q Magazine

His fifth album is a triumph where his previous efforts have promised but fallen just short. [Oct 2007, p.105]

Uncut

The Josh Ritter who appears here is primarily a writer of quality pop songs.

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All Music Guide

Historical Conquests is above all a fun record. It's got all of the heartache, acute observation, and crushing truth that fans are used to, but it never preaches without a wink and, most importantly, sounds as good blisteringly loud as it does drifting out of a clock radio in the garage.

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PopMatters

The rollicking Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, makes clear that the songwriter is no mere mimic, and he’s having a grand old time.

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Boston Globe

The production creates a Joe Henry feel of gently deconstructionist pop--warm and relaxed even as the instruments occasionally struggle against their leashes--giving the album's best material an extra spin.

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Tiny Mix Tapes

What makes The Historical Conquests Of... a great album and not just Ritter’s foray into stylistic versatility is the integrity of his musicianship. The album is thorough; it is complete.

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Slant Magazine

In many ways, the album plays out as a far more effective and far less deliberately post-modern survey of the multiple phases of Dylan's career than does Todd Haynes's "I'm Not There" or its accompanying soundtrack.

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Delusions of Adequacy

Ultimately, it ends up being a fine album. Nothing too spectacular or breakthrough but filled with enough great tunes to keep you coming back.

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Austin Chronicle

Idaho native Josh Ritter's fifth LP illustrates how well an artist can incorporate his influences while developing his own voice and sound, which in this incarnation is part Dylan, part sensitive swinger with a soft spot for Calamity Jane and Joan of Arc.

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New Musical Express

The urge to dislike Josh Ritter is somewhat overwhelming. But, like a diseased puppy with an adorable smile, it's just impossible to take him out back with Pa's shotgun because he still has an ear for a good tune--even if it is one of Dylan's.

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Mojo

HIs essential charm flows through raise-a-glass choruses tinged with melancholy. [Oct 2007, p.91]

Pitchfork

These songs rarely sound lived in or personable; rather, they're more like museum dioramas where he can pose figures like Calamity Jane, Casey Jones, and Casey at the Bat in stiff tableaux.

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Under The Radar

Josh Ritter returns with a sloppier, less streamlined record. [Summer 2007, p.91]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 28 User Votes

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

Chris C. gave it a10:
Not only the best record of the year, but the best record in a decade.

chris F gave it a9:
Melds into the room when played and makes everything better. Don't know the names of the tracks and don't care. It's instantly pleasant.

Jeff A. gave it a10:
I like a lot of albums. Some I like a lot. But I really love this one.

matt a. gave it an8:
Not as good as The Animal Years, but still solid. He has definitely came into his own as an artist and these last two albums are his best work to date.

Matthew P. gave it a10:
A definite improvement on The Animal Years, and that was as near perfect as a alternative country album can get! He is slowly becoming a big player and its about time!

Greg B. gave it a10:
Gets better with every listen. My vote for album of the year thus far.

Erik H. gave it a9:
Easily among the best albums of the year!

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The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter

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