Josh Ritter – Hello Starling
In the tradition of the Bob Dylans and Leonard Cohens of yesteryear, Josh Ritter is an unashamed balladeer. His deep, enchanting voice flows over folky acoustic guitar, Hammond organ and percussion. The sound is clean, rich, and maybe you’ve heard it before. It really would be a bit silly to say he’s crossing musical borders, but he’s doing what he does impeccably.
Josh sticks to the same gameplan throughout, but the songwriting is accomplished, catchy, emotive, and it stays interesting. The lyrics are poetic and often brilliant. This sort of music isn’t for everyone, but if you do like mature, well produced, low-to-mid tempo, melodic folk-pop songs, it’s difficult to think you would find any problem with this album. Down in my room, with a perplexing and draining late summer cold, Hello Starling is my comforting mug of steaming tea, and an understated friend I feel I’ve known my whole life.
8.5/10 or something like that
Article comments
1 - Matthew
Nice review! This is definitely one of my favorite albums from last year (when it was released here in the States.) His first disc is quite good as well, as is his live show. He's rather inexplicably very famous and renowned in Ireland, and so he tours there a lot... perhaps because he has a bit of the Damien Rice feel? I don't know...
M
2 - Damon Muma
I just missed him playing live with Sarah Harmer unfortunately.. probably would have been a really good show.
I first ran into him in the background of a Six Feet Under episode with 'Come and Find Me'
3 - Anna
He struck me as a bit too conceited, which is probably why I could never get into his music. Great review, though.
4 - Justene
This review was chosen for Advance.net. You will be able to find it on newspaper sites including Cleveland.com.