Album Review: Josh Ritter - Sermon On The Rocks

Josh Ritter has his mojo back.

Having toned things down for 2013's The Beast In Its Tracks, an oddly comforting break-up album, the veteran alt-country singer-songwriter has the band back together for Sermon On The Rocks. And, this is one serious band album, full of big arrangements like rockabilly gospel anthem Young Moses and Getting Ready To Get Down, the funkiest song about bible colleges every written. Ritter shows off his gift for lyrics in stunning slow-burner The Stone but there's often so much happening here that the songs somewhat lose their intimacy and with that, their lasting impact.