Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Giving it up for Josh Rouse.
The album's been out since August, but I've only had this blog since about a week ago, so now's a good a time as any to hype Josh Rouse and his latest release, 1972. (The link on the album title is an excellent and perceptive review by All Music Guide).
Rouse is a singer/songwriter in the Freedy Johnston pop/rock/folk vein, and since Johnston's last two albums were less than brilliant (and the last of those came out in 2001), Rouse is really filling a void. The standout tracks, as noted in the review, are the cheesy but fun single "Love Vibration", and the almost-perfect album closer "Rise", maybe my favorite tune of 2003. "Rise" doesn't sound like much at first, but burrows under your skin after repeated listens.
As good as 1972 is, though, his previous release, Under Cold Blue Stars, is even better (although AMG has it a half-star lower). Songs like "Nothing Gives Me Pleasure", "Miracle" and "Feeling No Pain" are some of the most tuneful, buoyant pop gems you'll come across. I highly recommend both these albums.
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Rouse is a singer/songwriter in the Freedy Johnston pop/rock/folk vein, and since Johnston's last two albums were less than brilliant (and the last of those came out in 2001), Rouse is really filling a void. The standout tracks, as noted in the review, are the cheesy but fun single "Love Vibration", and the almost-perfect album closer "Rise", maybe my favorite tune of 2003. "Rise" doesn't sound like much at first, but burrows under your skin after repeated listens.
As good as 1972 is, though, his previous release, Under Cold Blue Stars, is even better (although AMG has it a half-star lower). Songs like "Nothing Gives Me Pleasure", "Miracle" and "Feeling No Pain" are some of the most tuneful, buoyant pop gems you'll come across. I highly recommend both these albums.
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