The Animal Years is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Josh Ritter.

[7] The most intriguing example may be the enigmatic song "Monster Ballads", which contains references to both the 19th-century decline of the Mississippi River steamboat at the hands of the railroad and the fictional character Huckleberry Finn.

[8] Paying homage to Twain, Josh Ritter performed in a white suit while touring to support The Animal Years.

The Animal Years was reissued as a two-disc deluxe edition, first in Ireland on January 17, 2010, then in the United States on February 15, 2011.

The bonus CD also includes four b-sides, an enhanced video for "Lillian, Egypt", new artwork, and liner notes by Tom Ricks.