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| Josh Ritter Fansite > Features > The New Album |
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| Josh Ritter's new album "Royal City", now called "The Animal Years." The Animal Years, produced by Brian Deck. Featuring songs Girl in the War, Monster Ballads, Here at the Right Time, Thin Blue Flame, and Wolves. Updates by Doug Rice, at the Josh Ritter Fansite. |
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| On March 18, 2005, Josh Ritter and his band entered Bear Creek Studio, a barn-turned-recording studio that sits in the middle of a 10 acre horse farm, to start recording a new album. Josh's last album, "Hello Starling," was recorded two years before, and took less than two weeks to complete. But things have changed. |
| Personally, I've been awaiting new music from Josh Ritter since I devoured the debut record and "Golden Age of Radio," heard the final note on "Hello Starling," and started this Fansite. These three albums are THAT good, that I couldn't wait to hear more. The next level. I know there are many other fans out there who feel the same way. |
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| And we've built up quite a fan community here. Questions about Josh's new record have started circulating via email, the message boards, and word of mouth. And all you need to hear is just one of the new songs live in concert to ask, "When can I get that?!" Well, I'm hoping this page will answer some of the questions other fans may have about this much anticipated record. |
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| So in an effort to track this new album's life, inform the fan community, and spread the word, I've created this page. All the info has been gathered from Josh's Studio Journal, or heard at the recent shows - official or not. I've also posted some comments, for what it's worth... |
| RELEASE DATES |
| ** Please keep in mind that all the info below may officially change, at which time I will update it here, as soon as I hear it. ** |
| THE CURRENT NAME OF THE ALBUM |
| Doug's Comments: Yeah, this seems like a long time to wait, but it'll be worth it. And if this time is being used by V2 Records to make sure it gets a well-deserved big release and gets to more ears in doing so, then I say take your time... |
| FAMILIAR SONGS ON THE ALBUM (that you've probably heard) |
| NEW SONGS ON THE ALBUM (That you probably haven't heard) |
| Doug's Comments: I think everyone's expecting these to be on the new record. Those of us who have seen Josh in concert or heard a live recording or listened to a broadcast over the past year or two have already gotten a preview of these songs. Known as merely "new ones," they were unforgettable songs that became regulars in the setlist. "Girl in the War" has been in the rotation for a long time, often opening the show, and "Lillian" just made its first appearance during 2004's final shows in December. I'd count on these songs being brought to glorious new life on the new album... |
| Doug's Comments: The songs above have been either introduced or recognized as "a new one" during Josh's most recent shows - the June concerts from Southpaw through Bonnaroo, and the Irelanc shows. And at this point, if it's "new," it's gotta be 'Animal Years' new. "Idaho" and "Thin Blue Flame" are mentioned by Josh in the Studio Journal. |
| [There are, of course, more songs on "The Animal Years," but I will wait to post their names and any comments once they are officially announced by Josh, management, or V2.] |
| At the time of this writing (which is late June '05), "The Animal Years" is scheduled to be released in the U.S. in January 2006. Ireland may be getting it earlier, perhaps in November 2005. But nothing is confirmed. |
| They are likely to include "Girl in the War," "Monster Ballads," "Here at the Right Time," and "Lillian." |
| They are likely to include: "Thin Blue Flame," "Idaho," "Best for the Best," and "Wolves." |
| WHAT DOES THE NEW ALBUM SOUND LIKE? |
| Count on a perfect fusion of "Golden Age of Radio" and "Hello Starling" - with a bold new edge in style, variety, and production. However, live versions of the new songs are all we have to go by for a clue right now. |
| Doug's Comments: The "Animal Years" songs that have been heard in concert are the only indication of what the new album will sound like - and the new songs "Thin Blue Flame" and "Wolves" both feature an electric guitar, rather than acoustic in concert. They also rely heavily on Sam's piano playing, rather than the wurly organ. And the band is harmonizing behind Josh more than ever. This makes for a slightly different sound for a Josh Ritter song, but the results are awesome. |
| For you long time, loyal fans of Josh's sound: Rest assured. The electric guitar has not replaced the acoustic, and the piano has not replaced the organ. For instance, "Idaho" and "Best for the Best" are acoustic, and the organ lives on in others. |
| THE BUZZ SO FAR |
| While all the new songs are getting wonderful reactions from fans at shows, a couple are proving to be real standouts: the 9 minute-plus "Thin Blue Flame" and the foot-stomping "Wolves." |
| LYRICALLY, there are no surprises here: This is not just some of the best songwriting you've heard from Josh Ritter, but from any artist out there right now. Those of you who have heard "Thin Blue Flame" can attest to that. Josh's lyrics remain clever, deep, rich in metaphor, and extremely visual. To read a few select lyrics from some of the new songs, see my Review of the Southpaw Show... |
| Doug's Comments: "Thin Blue Flame" is already a classic. And "Idaho" is a haunting vocal and lyrical tour de force. But I'll just come out and say it: "Wolves" is the coolest song I've heard in a long time and it just may already be my favorite Josh Ritter song to date. Yes, I realize the weight of my statement. While on tour with Josh and the band in June, I passed Josh my version of what his setlist should be one night. It included "Wolves".....six times. The encore would be the seventh. Yeah, it's that good. |
| THE PLAYERS |
| Josh Ritter (acoustic guitar, vocals), Zack Hickman (bass, mandolin, ukele, more), Sam Kassirer (piano, organ, more), and Dave Hingerty (drums, percussion). Special Guest on electric guitar is Tim Bradshaw. The album was produced by Brian Deck, who has produced albums for Modest Mouse and Iron & Wine among many others. |
| Doug's Comments: The gang's all here, including Darius Zelkha as manager, with a couple additions that will make for classic Josh Ritter - but with a new, different, and exciting spin! |
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| Keep checking back here for not just the above info to be updated, for for more news to be added -- as soon as someone hears it, posts it, or announces it... |
| Josh's Studio Journal is complete. New songs have been played in concert. And the band has answered some questions at shows. It's time to gather all that we've heard about Josh Ritter's new record... |
| July 21, 2005 UPDATE: In a message board post on the Fansite, Josh has told us that he has recorded two new NEW songs: "Only A River" and "Empty Heart." No word yet of what they sound like or if they'll definitely be on the new record. If they're half as good as the others we've heard, they're amazing. |
| *September 2005 Update* Through this entire summer, "Royal City" was going to be the name of the new record. It is a reference to the album's centerpiece song, "Thin Blue Flame." However, the word from Josh himself is that the record has a new name. As of right now, Josh Ritter's new album will be called "The Animal Years." |
| Doug's Comments: The interpretations of "The Animal Years" are going to be fun. In fact, I'll bet Josh will be giving several different answers to the question, "Where did that name come from?" I'm already having fun with one interpretation of my own: Josh is sure to be one of the most prolific songwriters of this century; he has a lot more music in him. And considering that his last album was Hello STARLING and abounds in bird imagery and a recent motif for him in merchandising was an ELK and the new album is overflowing with refererances to WOLVES, perhaps these years are Josh's "Animal Years." ? |