User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 35 out of 38
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Mixed: 0 out of 38
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Negative: 3 out of 38
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Feb 2, 2012
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Aug 6, 2011My personal favorite album of all time, closely followed by Dylan's Blood on the Tracks. I can't stress enough how important it is to listen to these songs.
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PatrickFeb 18, 2007Exceptional! I bought the CD after hearing "Girl In the War" on the radio. The song really caught my ear and I was intrigued with the lyrics. After listening to a few more cuts on I-tunes I decided to buy the CD. I'm extremely glad I did! I love this CD! I am now a Josh Ritter fan and can't wait to hear his next effort.
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TripSOct 4, 2006Best CD of 2006, hands down, and Ritter's breakthrough album.
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AndrewGJun 29, 2006Truly magnificent, surely the top of the pile of the recent surge of american singer-songwriters. Ritter has an increadible melodic and lyrical ability with just enough injection of personality to set him apart from his contemery. Surely this is his time.
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GarthEJun 18, 2006Strong-yes, different-not so much. Typifies the singer-songwriter but doesn't expand on it. If you buy this Album, which is worth several or more listens, do not buy Jason Collett's debut, as Ritter's could easly fall by the wayside. Like it, not in a love sort of way.
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kevintMay 30, 2006A great album. Girl in the War and Thin Blue Line are worth the purchase alone. Saw him live recently and he was excellent. Full of emotion.
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RickardBMay 16, 2006A very good record. I really enjoyed the last three albums, and this is surely as good as the others, which means its great!
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briancMay 16, 2006great album that i recommend to all my friends. lyrics touch important and timely topics
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AlexKMay 5, 2006One of the best blendings of atmospheric swells, rootsy grit and shuffle, and smart, story-telling lyrics I've ever heard. He is amazing.
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TecloEApr 29, 2006Horrible music.
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shannonfApr 23, 2006amazing. he is the most under-rated musician of my generation. ireland know's what's up- only they have seemed to give him the credit he deserves
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JohnKApr 18, 2006I've listened to the album close to 26 times straight through over the past few weeks, and I am still finding it interesting, and provocative. Ritter is an incredibly talented songwriter, and this is his best album of the other three that I've heard. While it is not groundbreaking, it is the best album of the year so far.
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mattaApr 13, 2006
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MattApr 13, 2006Stylus Magazine is an especially bad review source - typical that I would have another disagreement with them here. The Animal Years keeps up Josh's folk style, but he doesn't just imitate his influences. More than on Hello Starling even, you can hear an eclectic soundscape.
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MartinAApr 12, 2006Pretty close to a masterpiece.
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BrendanApr 12, 2006This is an amazing album...Enjoy!
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GeorgeBApr 11, 2006On early listens, this collection does not impress with the same immediacy as "Hello Starling," but appears to reward with repeated listens. The mood is darker and the lyrics reflect his unease with global developments. This may or may not be his breakthrough disc...here's hoping it is!
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TomNApr 11, 2006
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EricApr 10, 2006Doesn't get much better than this
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Awards & Rankings
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Entertainment WeeklyHe finally has the sumptuous, sweeping arrangements to go along with his ruminative road stories and stream-of-consciousness, Dylanesque folk. [14 Apr 2006, p.86]
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MojoDespite having some of Ritter's least introspective lyrics, there are some of his most emotionally affecting songs. [Apr 2006, p.98]
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His voice - think Springsteen without the gruffness, or maybe a meat-eating James Taylor - is more intimate than ever.