This album has been submitted by a user and is not included in any edition of the book.
The Animal Years is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Josh Ritter. In 2010, Ritter's band was given the name "The Royal City Band" (a reference to the song "Thin Blue Flame" from The Animal Years). Before performing "Girl in the War" at the 2006 annual dinner of the Center for American Progress in Washington D.C., Ritter stated that he intended to "write about [the United States of America], but [instead] it all came out sounding like a love song." Ritter has said that the life and work of Mark Twain were a great influence on The Animal Years, in particular Twain's books Life on the Mississippi and Letters from the Earth. When analyzed alongside Twain's biography, lyrics from multiple songs on The Animal Years seem to make textual reference to the life and times of Mark Twain. The most intriguing example may be the enigmatic song "Monster Ballads", which contains references to both the 19th-century decline of the Mississippi River steamboat at the hands of the railroad and the fictional character Huckleberry Finn. Paying homage to Twain, Josh Ritter performed in a white suit while touring to support The Animal Years. As with Ritter's previous albums, The Animal Years was praised for its lyricism and storytelling. Additionally, the use of piano throughout the album was recognized. Stephen King rated The Animal Years the best album of 2006 in an article for Entertainment Weekly.
This was a great addition, I feel like some of the examples of this sound on the original list were very unique, but this was much more in the zeitgeist in my opinion.
Brilliant. Thin blue flame š
I can't believe there are so many artists on this list that I have never heard of. Especially, people like Josh Ritter. Wow, the style is right up my alley. This came out nearly 20 years ago and it sounds so fresh to me today. I also appreciate the unique and interesting album cover. Standouts: Girl in the War, Wolves, Monster Ballads, Idaho, In the Dark, Lillian Egypt 4.5/5
A little on the fence on this one. Well crafted and performed but to me dull in parts. The stronger material sustained it though.
A lovely folkin' good time. Idaho is achingly beautiful.
This is really, really good. I need to listen to more Josh Ritter. 4 stars.
I really enjoyed this album at first, but it started to drag in the last quarter. The Americana here is a much better representation than can be found on other albums that are on the list. For example, this album far exceeds Ryan Adams' work. The music is well executed, and I enjoyed the soft electronic sounds that could be heard in the background throughout. Though I found it a bit dull in parts, I want to listen again to give it a fair chance.
I was expecting the musical stylings of the late comedic actor John Ritter. Thankfully, this was certainly better.
Solid listen! Haven't heard of this guy, but it's some singer/songwriter stuff with an Americana edge. Took some settling in, but the back half really started to shine for me. "Good Man" is fantastic. The sort of rapping he did on "Thin Blue Flame" was interesting, didn't quite work for me but I respect it. Overall, pretty great album. Made me think of that one Benjamin Francis Leftwich album, Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm, not necessarily sonically but more thematically. That would be a good album for a list like this too. Favorite tracks: Good Man, One More Mouth, Best for the Best, Idaho, Wolves. Album art: A horse balancing on a log floating in water. It's got an invisible saddle effect going on, makes it look like it's just disfigured. Very folksy art style, fits the album well. 4/5
Thin Blue Flame is epic, bona fide. The rest of Animal Years's conceit is sneakier, an approach to America which works reliably from inside or out. Instruments varied and old and new work through the tapestry of the songs, never artificial but significantly less enigmatic than Ritter's word choice.
A little bit boring at times
Harmony, good lyrics, good rhythm...invites you to enjoy and listen to him calmly.
This started out pretty good, but slowly blended into a not so distinct backdrop during my work. Not bad, but I would have to listen to this a few more times before it would potentially find more room to nest inside my brain.
Although this was pleasant to listen to, it wasn't that noteworthy for a 1001 list in my opinion.
The kind of music my wife loves
A more modern take on a dinger-songwriter LP with some great guitar and surprising instrumental tricks up its sleeve. Still primarily vocal-driven, but thanks to Ritterās solid writing thereās at least some sense of narrative intrigue that sits well on top of the meatier instrumentals.
Very musical folk/Americana. A better choice than a lot of the twangy country that was on the list.
Folk rock, Americana. Ni fu ni fa.
Rating: 6/10 Best songs: Wolves
Nice folk 2.7
Ok
A solid singer-songwriter vibe in the vein of Iron & Wine and lo-fi Father John Misty. The songs are a bit hit and miss through most of it. They're fine, but they don't do a lot to differentiate themselves. Enjoyed Girl in the War and Monster Ballads at the start. It wasn't until Thin Blue Flame that this really comes into its own. It has a great developing passion and energy that carry it like any of the prior tracks. Really solid.
Started off a bit dated, but he really picked up his groove. Hadn't heard of this artist before, but he's got a good Dylan vibe to him. The whistling/feedback in Good Man was a bit annoying.
This was really nice. Lovely arrangements, with elegant but plain-spoken lyrics. A little slow moving on the back half, but overall a really well done album. Fave Songs: Wolves, Monster Ballads, Thin Blue Flame, In the Dark, Girl in the War
This was an unexpectedly great album from an artist that Iāve never heard of before. The poetic Americana style had some excellent storytelling within the songs. Overall this was something Iād revisit as the Americana genre has been something Iāve found so raw and heartfelt. This album has all of that with the simplicity of the singer songwriter quality. 7.7/10
Mjƶg ljĆŗft og kĆ³sĆ. HaustkvƶldstĆ³nlist.
A nice little trip into folk land. Had this album been on the main list, I'd maybe question it's inclusion, but as this is a user pick I think it's very valid and was perfect for this fall day.
I feel sorry for that horse.
Some chill-singer-songwriter music. Not much of my style, but respect.
More folk? Are you kidding me? Haven't we had enough folk rock already? 2/5.