The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter

Infobox Album |
Name = The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
Type = Album
Artist = Josh Ritter


Released = flagicon|USA August 21, 2007
flagicon|Ireland September 7, 2007
flagicon|UK October 1, 2007
Recorded = The Great North Sound Society, Maine
Genre = Folk
Length = 42:52
Label = Sony BMG/Victor Records
Independent Records
V2 Records
Producer = Sam Kassirer
Reviews =
*Absolutepunk.net (95%) [http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=266952 link]
* Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0nfoxzwgldae link]
*Entertainment Weekly (A-) [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20054167,00.html link]
* PopMatters Rating|8|10 [http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/47668/josh-ritter-the-historical-conquests-of-josh-ritter/ link]
*Rocklouder Rating|4|5 [http://www.rocklouder.co.uk/articles/4378/Josh-Ritter---The-Historical-Conquests-Of-Josh-Ritter.html link]
*Time Off Rating|4|5 [http://www.timeoff.com.au/index.php?area=Archive&pg=42&subarea=37&sel=7760&showcontent=7760 link]
Last album = "The Animal Years"
(2006)
This album = "The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter"
(2007)
Next album =

"The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter" is the fifth full-length album by American singer-songwriter Josh Ritter. It was released in the U.S. on August 21, 2007Cite web|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/43451-josh-ritter-conquers-history-on-new-album|title=Josh Ritter Conquers History on New Album | accessdate= 2007-06-07 ] , in Ireland on September 7, 2007 through Independent Records, and released in the rest of Europe on October 1, 2007 by V2 Records. By July 26, 2007, the album had leaked onto P2P file-sharing websites.

The record was recorded in a Maine farmhouse dating to the 18th century. Cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/bryantpark/2007/08/josh_ritter_performs_at_the_bp.html|title=Josh Ritter Performs on the BPP | accessdate= 2007-08-26 ] According to Ritter: "Lyrically, musically, and in terms of production, it's the most adventurous record I've made yet and I think when you hear it you're going to be surprised. Seriously, repeatedly, and in a good way."

Track listing

All songs written by Josh Ritter. The strings were written and arranged by Sam Kassirer, the horns by Sam Kassirer and Zack Hickman.

# "To the Dogs or Whoever" — 3:02
# "Mind's Eye" — 2:53
# "Right Moves" — 3:44
# "The Temptation of Adam" — 4:12
# "Open Doors" — 2:35
# "Rumors" — 3:31
# "Edge of the World" — 1:41
# "Wait for Love" — 3:46
# "Real Long Distance" — 2:42
# "Next to the Last Romantic" — 2:49
# "Moons" — 0:51
# "Still Beating" — 3:49
# "Empty Hearts" — 4:40
# "Wait for Love (You Know You Will)" — 2:37

Bonus EP

Initial copies of the album included a limited-edition bonus EP CD containing "four little tracks - interesting 'bits and pieces' - from the recording sessions."Cite web|url=http://www.joshritter.com/news.php?nid=115|title=News posting on official Josh Ritter site | accessdate= 2007-08-28 ] The track listing for the EP is as follows:

# "Wildfires" — 4:48
# "Spot in my Heart" — 0:37
# "Naked as a Window" — 1:29
# "Labelship Down" — 0:54

ingles

Three singles were released from the album, in digital download format only. The singles were released as one-track promo-only CD singles as well.
* "Mind's Eye" (October 15, 2007)
* "Right Moves" (December 17, 2007)
* "Empty Hearts" (March 31, 2008)
*# "Empty Hearts" - 4:40
*# "Empty Hearts" (Engine Room Acoustic) - 3:57

Thematic elements

The lyrics of the album's Dylanesque opening track, "To the Dogs or Whoever," contains a number of historical references, many of them to traditional American cultural and mythological figures:

*Florence Nightingale
*Calamity Jane
*Joan of Arc
*Casey Jones
*Casey at the Bat
*General George Armstrong Custer

Personnel

* Josh Ritter — vocals and guitars
* Zack Hickman — double bass, electric bass, acoustic guitar and electric guitar, baritone guitar, trombone, lap steel guitar, background vocals
* Liam Hurley — drums, percussion
* Sam Kassirer — electric piano, piano, organs, guitar, vibraphone, percussion

References