Golden Age of Radio

Josh Ritter is one of my all-time favorites and this album is my favorite of his work. "Come and Find Me" is the kind of song that you wake up with on a lonely morning. "Me and Jiggs" is a fun tune with a driving beat that could make anyone want to go back home (especially if home is Moscow, Idaho). "Harrisburg" is arresting-- like a post-Garden of Eden story with intensity that builds to match the near-epic pieces Ritter would later record, such as "Girl in the War." "Golden Age of Radio" may be my favorite of Ritter's tunes-- the hard-driving beat, old-timey organ and catchy chorus are engaging enough that it's hard for it to ever be background music. At a 2007 show, Ritter introduced that tune by saying, "This song's for Johnny Cash," and it's hard to imagine that the late Mr. Cash wasn't honored or tapping his toe.