The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
by Josh Ritter
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Aug 21, 2007
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. AllMusic
    80
    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.
  2. Amazon.com
    90
    You're presently reading about what may be the best album of 2007, hands down, by the most under-accorded American musical genius.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    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.
  5. Lost At Sea
    95
    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.
  6. PopMatters
    80
    The rollicking Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, makes clear that the songwriter is no mere mimic, and he’s having a grand old time.
  7. Boston Globe
    80
    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.
  8. Paste Magazine
    90
    The resulting album is as lean, rambunctious and snarling as its predecessor was stately.
  9. The A.V. Club
    83
    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.
  10. Sputnikmusic
    90
    The Historical Conquests is astonishing for its depth of exploration in the folk genre.
  11. The Guardian
    80
    '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.
  12. Q Magazine
    80
    His fifth album is a triumph where his previous efforts have promised but fallen just short. [Oct 2007, p.105]
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  13. Uncut
    80
    The Josh Ritter who appears here is primarily a writer of quality pop songs.
  14. Austin Chronicle
    67
    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.
  15. Delusions of Adequacy
    70
    Ultimately, it ends up being a fine album. Nothing too spectacular or breakthrough but filled with enough great tunes to keep you coming back.
  16. Tiny Mix Tapes
    80
    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.
  17. Slant Magazine
    80
    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.

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Best Album of 2007
94
#94 Most Shared Album of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 40
  3. Negative: 3 out of 40
  1. Dstrahs
    Apr 25, 2012
    10
    Strongest Josh Ritter album, I love every song on it. It is one of the few albums I can listen to the entire album at one and repeatedly. HisStrongest Josh Ritter album, I love every song on it. It is one of the few albums I can listen to the entire album at one and repeatedly. His use of variations on a single chord structure makes for a great musical coloration. Rapid fire lyrics on the first track are very impressive. One of the best lyricists today.… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    Feb 2, 2012
    8
    Josh Ritters 5th studio album keeps to the high standards he's set out so far in his career. This is probably is biggest attempt at breakingJosh Ritters 5th studio album keeps to the high standards he's set out so far in his career. This is probably is biggest attempt at breaking into the mainstream radio market. A lot of the songs have been polished here and you definitely get the feeling that a record company had more of an influence here than on any other record. It has some great pop songs and overall is very good, however I'm glad that on the follow up to this - "So Runs the World Away" he went back to the more folky sound.… Full Review »
  3. TheDaveHimself
    Aug 6, 2011
    8
    There are some great songs on here. There's no denying that. As for an album, it's a little all over the place, but still.. fantastic. "TheThere are some great songs on here. There's no denying that. As for an album, it's a little all over the place, but still.. fantastic. "The Temptation of Adam" might be Ritter's best song. Ever.… Full Review »
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