Josh Ritter's EP brings warmth to February

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Grade: B

CD • As we await the next album from one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Idaho native Josh Ritter (who wowed the audience when he headlined Red Butte Garden last summer) has released a six-song EP called "Bringing in the Darlings," recorded in less than a week this winter.

The creative and imaginative Ritter is known for penning love songs about mummies and ships (that never devolve into novelties), but this EP is more direct and simple, both lyrically and musically. Backed by only one other person, Ritter, with his acoustic guitar, croons about modern human love (while using the word "Darling" in each song) and is clearly inspired by the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly.

While I wish there was more lyrical substance, Ritter's voice has never sounded warmer, and another side of Ritter is an invited balm this cold winter.

David Burger