The Beast in Its Tracks
by Josh Ritter
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. BKM
    Mar 13, 2013
    8
    Josh Ritter's latest album is easily his most personal to date as he uses the 13 tracks here to mull over the end of old relationships and the beginnings of new ones. The material isn't quite as emotionally wrenching as expected given the source material (Ritter's divorce) but the lyrics are still vivid and poetic and his ear for melodies remains as strong as ever.
  2. triplebogey
    Mar 11, 2013
    8
    As a long time Josh Ritter fan, I really enjoy this album. It is clearly the most personal of any previous album and anyone who has experienced heartbreak will relate. An easy listen from start to finish which gets better every time through; "Hopeful" stood out as the track I will keep coming back for, but the rest also remind me why I anticipate all of Josh's offerings.
  3. Ricko
    Mar 10, 2014
    8
    Ritter continues to hone his ability to write a great lyric accompanied by sweet melodies.

    The Beast In Its Tracks follows an increasingly long list of solid and consistently good albums from the Idaho songwriter. When I heard what the albums was written about, the breakup of his marriage, I was expecting a heavy record but despite its subject matter, the album doesn't feel as weighty    Ritter continues to hone his ability to write a great lyric accompanied by sweet melodies.

    The Beast In Its Tracks follows an increasingly long list of solid and consistently good albums from the Idaho songwriter. When I heard what the albums was written about, the breakup of his marriage, I was expecting a heavy record but despite its subject matter, the album doesn't feel as weighty as some of his other work.
    While the songwriting is of the high standard we associate with Ritter, here his usual folky delivery detracts from any pain or sadness that you might have expected to be invoked on this album. Josh Ritter's albums are always lovely affairs and even on this record, dealing with rejection and loss, he never sounds angry or overly bitter. In a way that Eels write about manic depression with melody and a spring in the step, this album is probably one of the most upbeat break up albums ever written, tending to focus on the hope of the future while reflecting on the past. This is most obviously seen in the middle section of the album where we get songs like "Hopeful" and "New Lover". "Joy to You Baby", a great song that reflects elements of Van Morrison, comes towards the end of the record and again see's Ritter wishing the one who jilted him all the best.
    The Beast In Its Tracks rushes by and is over before you know and while not Ritter's best or most consistent work, fits in well with his back catalog and sees him continue to hone his ability to write a great lyric accompanied by sweet melodies.    … Collapse
  4. Djorchid
    Mar 15, 2013
    6
    Wonderful album. It makes me wonder how anyone couldn't enjoy his music. This album is more classic Ritter than his last two albums. Josh demonstrates his world class song writing ability coupled with vocals that are therapy for the ears.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Q Magazine
    Apr 10, 2013
    80
    Ritter's seventh album may not be quite the same league as Dylan's masterpiece, but post his own divorce it does contain all the same edgy recrimination and pain. [May 2013, p.109]
  2. American Songwriter
    Apr 3, 2013
    80
    The Beast In Its Tracks is a gracious, relentlessly honest, post-breakup record.
    Read full review
  3. Under The Radar
    Mar 22, 2013
    55
    Despite the minimal aura throughout, luminous field recordings of Ritter's current girlfriend and concrete scene setting keep this LP from devolving into a series of narrow-minded, scribbled diary entries. [Mar-Apr 2013, p.106]
See all critic reviews »