Josh Ritter – Golden Age Of Radio

Idaho native Josh Ritter, who currently lives in Boston, has a wonderfully evocative, raw voice that echoes with rock ‘n’ roll’s past, and a savvy lyrical sense that enriches its present. Whether with unfussy backing from his band or just the adept pulse of his guitar, Ritter’s voice is touched by the influence of Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, and other songwriters with a knack for turning hummable tunes into intellectual and emotional sanctuaries — not to mention rather beautiful places to spend some time.

The romantic journeyman lyric of “Come And Find Me” is an instant charmer: “If I could trace the line that ran between your smile and your sleight of hand,” Ritter softly wonders, his voice tinged with bitterness but still warmed by hope. Similarly romantic and with a subtly effervescent melody, “You’ve Got The Moon” finds Ritter’s voice dropping from airy and translucent to solemn and shy in an instant. Though a dead ringer for Drake’s “Pink Moon”, the song is utterly fetching.

“Me And Jiggs” is heartier, heartland fare, all about the good times spent in a place you have no choice but to leave. Occasionally, as with the dreary “Roll On”, Ritter has a tendency to sing into his beer, losing the twists in his intonation that add gorgeous light and shade.