JOSH RITTER

What’s The Deal: Josh Ritter graduated from college with a major in American History through Narrative Folk Music, which makes the title of this folk-pop singer/songwriter’s recently released album, The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, fitting as well as boastful. He can boast all he wants with those hearty lyrics fat with imagery and the voluminous songwriting of this, his fifth album. Comparisons to Bob Dylan as well as John Lennon immediately come bubbling to the surface when perusing through his catalog. And somehow, despite a history of gleaming reviews going back to his past two records, Ritter’s music hasn’t seen the explosion of fanaticism it deserves.

He even steps up his game a little on Historical Conquests. Instead of impassioned songs about love and war sung in earnest, the album utilizes piano and horns to add a fuller, more fun sound that clamors and brawls. The opening track, “To the Dogs or Whoever,” leaps into a gallop with pounding keys while Ritter drops lyrical shout-outs to Florence Nightingale, Calamity Jane and Joan of Arc who are all in the belly of a whale. “Minds Eye” with it’s toe-tapping jangly guitar and persistent beat is about a cocksure gunslinger and his challenger’s imminent destruction.

Something Interesting: Ritter’s initial major at Oberlin College was neuroscience. Among his biggest fans are the Irish and Stephen King.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Girl in the War”

Josh Ritter Official
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OH NO! OH MY!

What’s The Deal: They are giving us just one more reason why it’s cool to be geeky. A trend already being kept alive by films like Superbad and comedians like Patton Oswalt. Sorry, dude. This Austin indie-pop powerhouse has very cleverly turned a Star Wars quote into a super-infectious chorus on “Oh Be One” off their recent EP Between the Devil and the Sea. It’s pretty geeky, but just try and keep it out of your head. They bring in a quirky mixture of artful instrumentation (Wurlitzers, accordions, etc.) along with hand claps and falsetto background voices that just wouldn’t work with other bands. But with these guys, you wouldn’t want it any other way.

Something Interesting: The boys are contributing to a Huey Lewis cover disc coming out sometime in 2008. They covered “Finally Found A Home” alongside bands like The Long Winters and My Brightest Diamond.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “The Party Punch”

Oh No! Oh My! Official
Oh No! Oh My! Myspace