Taken as a whole, however, the album stands as an impressive document of Ritter’s journey through an emotional storm.
Beasts presents him in a rejuvenated state, that cleansing effect that only can be measured with the passing of time.
Beast is contemplative and forgiving, a means of burying one relationship to commit to another, and Ritter nicely evokes the excitement and resignation of such a transition.
Top Three:
Nightmares
New Lover
Bonfire
Bottom Three:
Third Arm
In Your Arms Again
The Appleblossom Rag
Album review
Josh Ritter - The Beast In Its Tracks
2013
Singer-Songwriter / Folk
Tracklist ranking:
+++
New Lover
A Certain Light
Hopeful
In Your Arms Again
In Your Arms Awhile
++
Joy to You Baby
Lights
Evil Eye
Nightmares
Third Arm
+
Heart's Ease
The Appleblossom Rag
Bonfire
Album deconstructed:
Consistency ++
Cohesiveness +++
Production +++
Lyrics ++
Pacing +++
Initial enjoyment +++
Replayability +++
Highs +++
Lows +
Charm +++
Personal enjoyment +++
Uniqueness +
Rating: 85/100
1 | Third Arm 0:55 | 60 |
2 | Evil Eye 2:27 | 75 |
3 | A Certain Light 2:48 | 75 |
4 | Hopeful 4:25 | 80 |
5 | Nightmares 3:39 | 95 |
6 | New Lover 4:28 | 90 |
7 | Heart's Ease 3:21 | 80 |
8 | In Your Arms Again 3:15 | 70 |
9 | The Appleblossom Rag 4:27 | 70 |
10 | Bonfire 2:51 | 85 |
11 | In Your Arms Awhile 2:03 | 70 |
12 | Joy to You Baby 4:40 | 80 |
13 | Lights 4:02 | 80 |
#28 | / | American Songwriter |
#71 | / | PopMatters |