Prick Tunes: NPR Presents: Josh Ritter

My brother who posts here from time to time posted this link on my Facebook page, so it makes a bit of sense to just embed the video here.

Josh Ritter just played at Le Poisson Rouge in New York on March 4, 2013 in support of his new album, The Beast In Its Tracks, which was just released this week on Yep Roc Records. As NPR does from time to time (like with Spiritualized, Yo La Tengo, David Byrne & St. Vincent, and many more), they post the concert on the web for all to take in. I haven't had the time to listen to the new album yet, and it's apparently dealing with picking up the pieces after divorce. Maybe this is his Tunnel of Love or slightly less depressing Sea Change, albums I adore. Regardless, this set seems to offer a pretty comprehensive look at The Beast In Its Tracks, albeit in a live setting. Have at it.

Prick Tunes: Josh Ritter "The Curse"

All I should have to say is: Josh Ritter and creepy puppets.

The video was the work of Liam Hurley, a member of his supporting band The Royal City band. The song is from the album So Runs the World Away, its title coming from a line in Hamlet. I really love the lilting waltz going on here. The puppetry puts it over the top.

Prick Tunes: Josh Ritter NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Kicking off with my favorite song of his, Josh Ritter sits down in the NPR Music offices and runs through a short set of "The Temptation of Adam," "Lark," "Rattling Locks," and "Kathleen."

Thus far, I've refrained from putting longer clips like these up in the Prick Tunes columns, as it would be easy to just fall into the habit of simply posting Daytrotter or NPR Music sessions. I really wanted to put up his apocalyptic ballad "The Temptation of Adam," though, and I thought there was a fairly good chance that the good readers of Inconsiderate Prick may not have actually listened to Josh Ritter before.

If you don't have the time for that, here is the album version of aforementioned "The Temptation of Adam."