Enjoying the Smooth Sounds of Josh Rouse


Josh Rouse is a singer-songwriter who I feel is truly underrated.  I first discovered Rouse's music in 2006, when a friend sent me three albums of his - 1972, Nashville and Subtitulo.  Admittedly, it took me some time to appreciate how good his music is, but after gradually downloading his back catalogue (he has just released his ninth studio album), I realised how much I had grown to love his work.  His songs have a timeless, classic feel, with beautifully crafted lyrics.  I now consider Rouse to be one of my favourite, and most played musicians in my music collection.

What I admire most about Rouse, and what I feel sets him apart from the average singer-songwriter, is the way in which he experiments so freely with different genres in his music.  Each of his studio albums touch upon varying themes and concepts, meaning that no two of his albums could ever be accused of sounding the same.  This creates an interesting and exciting listening experience for fans.  

Rouse's exploration of different genres, has seen his music evolve through each new release.  His first two albums Dressed Up Like Nebraska and Home are more downbeat than later releases, with darker, but beautifully haunting lyrics.  Rouse made a departure from his alt-country roots on his fourth release, 1972, a concept album full of soulful, melodic pop songs.  In 2006, he moved to Spain, and his sixth album Subtitulo reflects this, with light, catchy tunes.  I feel this album is a suitable transition into Rouse's most recent offerings -  2010's El Turista and 2011's Josh Rouse and The Long Vacations, where the Spanish influence is more present than ever.

In addition to his studio albums, Rouse has also released a series of EPs on his Bedroom Classics label.  Furthermore, his website offers a Bedroom Classics Archive, where these EPs, along with other rarities compilations and also live recordings, can be purchased.

Below, are tracks which I think best show the diversity of Rouse's music.


                                      From Dressed Up Like Nebraska
                                       

                                                        From 1972


                                                     From Nashville
                                                                 
                                                    From El Turista
                                                                      

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Track of the Day: More Than This - Roxy Music

Image
More Than This  was the first single to be released from Roxy Music's final studio album, Avalon , in 1982.  Not only is it one of my favourite Roxy tracks, I also think it's the song which best represents the band's transition into the smooth and more polished sound which was so present in their later work.  Bryan Ferry's vocals blend effortlessly through verse and chorus, with lines which contribute to the atmospheric feel of the track - "Like a dream in the night / Who can say where we're going...Why the sea on the tide / Has no way of turning".  Just as impressive is the instrumental outro, which, led by lush synths and layers of guitar, more than makes up for the absence of vocals in the final few minutes of the song.
Read more...

Hidden Treasures: Ball & Chain - Bus Stop

Image
Bus Stop were a North Carolina-based, pop/rock band, formed in 1990 by vocalist Evan Olson and lead guitarist Britt "Snuzz" Uzzell. Completing the line-up were bassist Chuck Folds and drummer Eddie Walker, though the band is also notable for the involvement of Chuck's brother Ben, who contributed piano to a number of tracks over the course of their four LPs. I first came across Bus Stop after hearing a brief snippet of their music on a TV show. The clip was literally a ten-second instrumental intro section, but it was punchy and energetic, and I was immediately hooked. The track in question - 'What You Do' - and the album from which it appears - 2000's Japanese compilation release, Ball & Chain - offered me a solid introduction to the band's music. The most endearing aspect of Ball & Chain , is how stylistically diverse it is. There is no one sound that dominates, with a tracklist spontaneously spanning multiple genres throughout its 23 songs. ...
Read more...

The Stacey Brothers' Big Band Steely Dan Project: The Royal Scammers at Ronnie Scott’s, London – 20/01/2024

Image
  The Royal Scammers are a Steely Dan tribute band formed of Jeremy and Paul Stacey, and their 14-piece big band. I only came across these wonderful musicians a few weeks ago when I saw they were playing a six-night run at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club, and managed to snag a last-minute ticket for the final night. As a massive Steely Dan fan who hasn’t seen the band since their last UK show in 2019, and with no upcoming dates on the horizon, I figured a highly regarded tribute band playing at London’s most prestigious jazz club was the next best thing.   Shortly after arriving at Ronnie Scott’s and being led to a front row table (where I was so close to the stage, I was practically touching the keyboard), the Royal Scammers arrived on stage and kicked off the set with a fabulously glossy rendition of ‘Peg’. While the unique vocal tone of Donald Fagen is unmatched, The Royal Scammers lead vocalist Andy Caine showcased a powerful vocal that fully delivered on the far-reaching range r...
Read more...