Janine Schaults

Josh Ritter's grin is a beacon. Like his music, its illuminating warmth invites the weary to take refuge. This Idaho-bred son of two neuroscientists weaves stories culled from myth and history that are at home in the present. On his fourth album, "The Animal Years," Ritter takes stock of the confusion and chaos that surrounds him and the rest of the country. Songs about driving girls named Kathleen home after a party and heralding the coming of spring are put on the back burner for this record, his first for major label V2. In their place are politically charged songs, even though Ritter squirms at that characterization. He says political songs usually sound like the singer's views hold more import than the listener's, which rubs him the wrong way.

"Regular people who don't have a microphone in front of them know just as much as I do. Who am I to dictate what they believe?" Ritter says.

The centerpiece of the album, "Thin Blue Flame," is a nearly ten-minute opus on par with Bob Dylan's apocalyptic "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall."

"The song feels like a litany," Ritter says. "Like `Hard Rain,' it's a list, but unlike `Rain,' it's not all bad. There are portions that have a lot of hope in it. In `Rain'--this is the end--and that's not something I totally agree with. My view of life is not that bleak and I don't think Dylan's is either."

Ritter says he tries to write like a war photographer. He presents images and the listener is left to determine which one is right and which one is wrong. "In today's climate, we are made to believe or made to live in absolutist terms. This record is a reflection of that," he says.

Recorded at Bear Creek Studios in Seattle and Engine Studios in Chicago with producer Brian Deck (Iron & Wine, Modest Mouse), "The Animal Years" benefits from Ritter's skillful metaphors and honeyed vocals as well as an extremely talented and close-knit backing band that includes guitarist/bassist Zack Hickman, keyboardist Sam Kassirer and drummer Dave Hingerty. Already a star in Ireland, Ritter is anxious to get on the road in the States and share his stories with audiences. He is also thinking about getting his foot in the door of another career--acting. When he gets into movies, Ritter would like to be cast as the dead guy. "It's a great cameo and they can't blame the movie on you. I think they should give Oscars for that," he says.

Josh Ritter plays April 21 at Double Door, 1572 North Milwaukee, (773)489-3160, at 10pm. $15.

(2006-04-18)

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