Fever Breaks
by Josh Ritter
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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  1. Mojo
    May 1, 2019
    60
    A career-builder, if not a game-changer. [Jun 2019, p.89]
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User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 2 out of 8
  1. movingpictures
    May 13, 2020
    8
    If Sermon on the Rocks (2015) is his best album, then Fever Breaks (2019) is probably his 3rd best album. Solid throughout with all theIf Sermon on the Rocks (2015) is his best album, then Fever Breaks (2019) is probably his 3rd best album. Solid throughout with all the familiar vibes we've come to love from Josh Ritter without feeling like he's merely copying and pasting. I will listen to it over and over :)… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    Sep 3, 2019
    8
    I've followed Ritter's career closely since about 2001. He's undoubtedly in debt to Dylan but he is also a top rate song writer in terms ofI've followed Ritter's career closely since about 2001. He's undoubtedly in debt to Dylan but he is also a top rate song writer in terms of telling a story or narrative over a decent tune. One of his strengths as an artist is his consistency. I can't point to a single one of his albums that was disappointing. Even 2017's "Gathering", which veered far too into country fair rock and was arguably the weakest of his extensive back catalog, had enough to like to revisit. That said, there was a bit of pressure with "Fever Breaks" to hit the right spots more often after the underwhelming "Gathering". "Ground Don't Want Me" is classic Josh Ritter. Crafted lyrics over what is essentially a country rock number but with a dark folk aspect to it as well. It opens the album perfectly, ensuring his existing fans are invited to make themselves comfortable while at the same time lulling listeners into a softness before ripping into "Old Black Magic", an all out rock number by Ritter's standards which see's him sounding like he's really enjoying himself. "On the Water" is a pretty tune, again we see Ritter's lovely lyrical style on top of a up tempo yet soft folk number. "I Still Love You (Now and Then)" is more standard country rock, reminiscent of the likes of Phosphorescent or even Counting Crows . "The Torch Committee" is my personal favourite from the album, taken from the school of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds but with very much Ritter's own touch. Lyrically great but musically absolutely epic. "Silverblade" is a come down and almost and reprise of the previous track. "All Some Kind of Dream" heads back to the mid tempo country rock ballad as Ritter laments the way his home country has gone in recent years with respect to helping the needy. The final quarter of the album loses momentum somewhat. "Losing Battles" trys for loud but lacks a real punch, "A New Man" is 4 and a half minutes of very little while "Blazing Highway Home" is a nice finish to the album but not overly memorable.… Full Review »
  3. gideonbrown
    Jul 14, 2019
    9
    After a few mediocre albums, Fever Breaks sees Josh Ritter return to form as one of the best singer/songwriters of this, or any otherAfter a few mediocre albums, Fever Breaks sees Josh Ritter return to form as one of the best singer/songwriters of this, or any other generation. Sonically this album ranks as one of the best I've heard in recent years. The musicianship shines through with tasteful crescendos and delicate hooks, appearing between the cracks of Ritters beautiful and dramatic storytelling.
    It's wonderful to hear a master back at the top of his game.    … Full Review »
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