Over the past several years Josh Ritter, a native of Idaho has made quite a reputation for himself in Ireland. A regular tourer he combines a great grasp of appealing music with a laidback appealing personality, onstage and off.

With beautiful lyrics and usually hushed tones he's grown and grown a fanbase and has been accepted as a native here.

This album, his first on vinyl, is a bit of a change from his previous more folk oriented releases. There are many out and out pop moments on this. Seventies pop. Its entirely engaging and even euphoric at times. It really sounds like Josh is living the life we all want to lead.

Arrangements are almost simple and straightforward. The melody is generally regular and with just enough twists, or flourishes to keep things interesting.
Choruses are big, bright and breezy. The wonderful Right Moves being such an example. Complete with
the Great North Sound Society Orchestra providing brass backing.

More simple singer/songwriter introspectives are not forgotten. Just Josh and his guitar but his lyrics always draw you in and keep you interested. Josh's own voice is an appealing if not impressive tenor.

But the belters are where its at and there's plenty of them. Probably unusual for Ritter this is a record to turn up loud and bounce around the room to.

marvellous stuff.

Simple packaging and heavyweight value. The vinyl comes with a cd which gets it a bonus point but the sound quality is not great and basically sounds like its being played through a transistor radio. Is this deliberate?