Sermon on the Rocks
by Josh Ritter
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
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  1. Ricko
    Apr 26, 2016
    8
    A dark affair by Ritter's standards, melodically and lyrically, "Sermon" stands up to his best work at it's best. Like pretty much all of his albums, this is a solid and consistent record from start to finish and he's sounding more and more like Nick Cave as the years go by. No bad thing there. To pick at the album, I would say that too often it lacks urgency, something Ritter may notA dark affair by Ritter's standards, melodically and lyrically, "Sermon" stands up to his best work at it's best. Like pretty much all of his albums, this is a solid and consistent record from start to finish and he's sounding more and more like Nick Cave as the years go by. No bad thing there. To pick at the album, I would say that too often it lacks urgency, something Ritter may not necessarily be associated with but has been capable of making up for when he's been at his best. IT's the points where he boosts the tempo that this record catches fire to some extent. Opener "Birds of the Meadow", "Young Moses", "Where the Night Goes" and "Lighthouse Fire" are the highlights.… Collapse

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Blurt Magazine
    Dec 7, 2015
    60
    Sermon on the Rocks should speak to anyone with an ear for melody and an appreciation for a commanding, compelling delivery. Whether or not this broadens Ritter’s reach remains to be seen, but even if it falls short, be assured that it’s still excellent regardless.
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  2. NOW Magazine
    Nov 4, 2015
    80
    Ritter draws liberally from the well of himself, others and the Bible, and it's a fun ride.
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  3. Rolling Stone
    Oct 29, 2015
    70
    With his latest, Ritter has achieved the near impossible, fully reimagining his own art while still holding close to what's always made him special.
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