The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter

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The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
Studio album by Josh Ritter
Released	August 21, 2007 September 7, 2007 October 1, 2007
Genre	Folk
Length	42:52
Label	Sony BMG
Producer	Sam Kassirer
Professional reviews
Absolutepunk.net (95%) link All Music Guide link Entertainment Weekly (A-) link PopMatters link Rocklouder link Time Off link
Josh Ritter chronology
The Animal Years (2006) The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter (2007)

The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter is the fifth full-length album by American singer-songwriter Josh Ritter. It was released in the U.S. on August 21, 2007^[1], in Ireland on September 7 under Independent Records, and released elsewhere on October 1 by V2. By July 26, 2007, the album had leaked to the internet.

The record was recorded in a Maine farmhouse dating to the 18th century. ^[2] According to Ritter: "Lyrically, musically, and in terms of production, it's the most adventurous record I've made yet and I think when you hear it you're going to be surprised. Seriously, repeatedly, and in a good way."

Contents 1 Track listing 2 Bonus EP 3 Singles 4 Thematic elements 5 Personnel 6 References

[edit] Track listing

All songs written by Josh Ritter. The strings were written and arranged by Sam Kassirer, the horns by Sam Kassirer and Zack Hickman.

1. "To the Dogs or Whoever" — 3:02
2. "Mind's Eye" — 2:53
3. "Right Moves" — 3:44
4. "The Temptation of Adam" — 4:12
5. "Open Doors" — 2:35
6. "Rumors" — 3:31
7. "Edge of the World" — 1:41
8. "Wait for Love" — 3:46
9. "Real Long Distance" — 2:42
10. "Next to the Last Romantic" — 2:49
11. "Moons" — 0:51
12. "Still Beating" — 3:49
13. "Empty Hearts" — 4:40
14. "Wait for Love (You Know You Will)" — 2:37

[edit] Bonus EP

It was announced on July 16, 2007 that those who pre-ordered the album would also receive a limited-edition bonus EP containing "four little tracks - interesting 'bits and pieces' - from the recording sessions. ^[3]" The track listing for the EP is as follows:

1. "Wildfires" — 4:48
2. "Spot in my Heart" — 0:37
3. "Naked as a Window" — 1:29
4. "Labelship Down" — 0:54

[edit] Singles

• Right Moves (October 15, 2007)
• Mind's Eye (January 2008)

[edit] Thematic elements

The lyrics of the album's Dylanesque opening track, "To the Dogs Or Whoever," contains a number of historical references, many of them to traditional American cultural and mythological figures:

• Florence Nightingale
• Calamity Jane
• Joan of Arc
• Casey Jones
• Casey at the Bat
• General George Armstrong Custer

[edit] Personnel

• Zack Hickman — double bass, electric bass, acoustic guitar and electric guitar, baritone guitar, trombone, lap steel guitar, background vocals
• Liam Hurley — drums, percussion
• Sam Kassirer — electric piano, piano, organs, guitar, vibraphone, percussion
• Josh Ritter — vocals and guitars

[edit] References