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So Runs The World Away - Josh Ritter
So Runs The World Away Image
Metascore
81 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: The fifth album for the singer-songwriter was produced by Sam Kassirer.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    88
    The album is something of a rollercoaster of musical styles, songwriting approaches and emotions. But most importantly, transcending it all, is Ritter's astounding power to make us hang on every word.
  2. Paste Magazine
    83
    He's not the only one channeling the greats, but he does it better than almost anyone else today.
  3. Slant Magazine
    50
    The creaky structures he inhabits and the source material he chooses to pilfer are smart choices, good things that are highly redolent on their own. But the atmosphere of rough, old conceits scrubbed clean, with just enough dirt left to seem genuine, is ultimately a disquieting one

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Guolin
    10
    Another New World It is always exciting and unforgettable experience to explore a new world. Josh Ritter, an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, who was named one of the "100 Greatest Living Songwriters" by paste magazine in 2006, released his sixth new album “So Runs the World Away” on May 4, 2010 to offer you an opportunity to explore a new world with him. This album is a collection of legendary ballads. “The curse” tells a story that an archaeologist fell in love with a mummy expressing his love toward his work tenderly and perfectly. “Another New World”, a scientific research story, comparing the narrator’s beloved ship to a girl makes this ballad more attractive. In the “Folk Bloodbath”, however, he stomps and opposes the popular belief that death is a good way to embrace peace. Josh put his opposite thoughts and emotions in his songs implicitly demonstrating a totally different world in the bottom of his heart. He is like an excellent painter using notes as his painting brush, melodies as his curves and lines and different instruments as colors to depict the capricious scenes on his magic canvases. Also, he combines both gentle melody and quick strong melody in this album so that whatever music you like, you will be able to find your favorite style of music. Josh also wants to use “So Runs the World Away” to say goodbye to his old uninspiring music world. So many weird ideas strike him; why not put them into practice? “So Runs the World Away is the most difficult album I’ve made so far.” He challenges himself, and he challenges the secular music values. Yes, he has made it!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. TheDaveHimself
    8
    Josh Ritter is one of the greatest songwriters of this generation. Probably his most solid album since Animal Years (that doesn't mean Historical Conquests was anything less than great). Songs like "Lantern", "Rattling Locks", and "Another New World" remind us why we need to take him seriously.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. Ricko
    8
    The first half of this record sounds as good if not better than anything he's ever done. Unfortunately I think the latter half dies a bit. It's still good but I do think he's front-loaded the album. Change of Time and The Curse are the obvious stand outs and would get on any album put out by any artist out there. It's more back to his "Golden Age" and "Animal Years" folky style than his more pop/folk effort "Historical Conquests". Definitely a slower paced and in my view less forced album than his last record. If you've not listened to anything by this guy yet your missing out.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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