Ritter delivers another storybook album

On his sixth studio album and follow-up to 2007’s “The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter,” Josh Ritter creates another storybook masterpiece of an album in “So Runs the World Away.” He isn’t so much a musician as he is a storyteller whose medium is music.

As a whole, the album isn’t as catchy and upbeat as “Historical Conquests,” but what it lacks in music you can dance to, it makes up for with thoughtful ballads like “Change of Time” and “The Curse.”

Most of the songs use one line throughout the song; instead of being repetitive, it acts as anchor point for each song.

“Folk Bloodbath,” the standout track on the album, lies halfway through and changes the album from serious and brooding to more lighthearted fare.

Even though I hoped for more songs similar to his previous album (like “Right Moves” and “Rumors”), all I really want from Ritter is to tell me a story.