Here’s a singer/songwriter whose albums I’ve never heard, although I saw him perform at last year’s V Festival and was impressed. In the last week we’ve received a flurry of new releases to review, and this is certainly one of my two favourites (the other being Calexico’s GARDEN RUIN - a classic in anybody’s language).

There’s almost an evangelistic flavour to this album with some songs sounding like a clarion calls. Take for example the opening folk track, Girl In The War, which opens gently enough before blossoming out into an anti-war song that I can imagine protestors singing in Trafalgar Square. There’s also a monstrous melody and beautifully clear production qualities that make this a compelling listen. Wolves bounds along at fast pace with another very strong melody. It’s another one of those tunes that becomes embedded in one’s psyche, and I challenge you to shift it. Monster Ballads boasts a strikingly clear vocal, lovely piano moments, and yes, another monster of a melody. This is followed by the lighter and highly enjoyable Lillian Egypt with its relentless snare drum rhythm and catchy choruses. Idaho is one of the highlights here with its Celt folk vibe and barren instrumental landscape. Ritter is accompanied by a just-audible plucked guitar as expressively wanders through his musical narrative. It’s very beautiful, and very moving.

The album sustains the level of quality and musical accessibility throughout with nice changes of pace and mood. There’s an all-pervading alt-country vibe shaded with folk and roots, while several songs here could be interesting singles prospects. The album ends on four of the album’s best songs including the infectious vibe of Good Man, the campfire ambience of Best Of The Best, and the epic scale of seven-minute opus Thin Blue Flame. The latter is a song that builds and builds against a bold piano backdrop, and takes you with it every step of the way. Around the middle-eight drums enter stage right which signals a short instrumental rush before the piano takes over again in a mournful march. The pace quickens again and finally there’s an astonishing musical race for the finishing line. What a song! And one that with some editing could quite easily top the singles chart.

This is an album that will appeal to a wide music loving audience, and serves as an excellent introduction to this fine young American singer/songwriter. Strongly recommended, and watch out for the interview which is coming very soon.

4.5/5