Josh Rouse: Best Of The Rykodisc Years

Elly Roberts reviews

Josh Rouse: Best Of The Rykodisc YearsDistributed by
Rhino/Ryko Records

• Released: September 2008
• Rating: 10/10+
• Vote and comment on this album:
• Format: 2 CD set View Comments

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Melodic marvels from Nebraskan wonder; now living in Spain.

For those of you who’ve never heard of Josh Rouse, he’s one the best singer songwriters America has produced.

The 36 year-old folk/roots pop singer has been churning out smooth sounds since his debut album Dressed Up Like Nebraskain 1998 that brought him critical acclaim. It comes as a surprise this top composer hasn’t made the big time, though somesongs have appeared on a variety of television shows and film soundtracks, so from somewhere you might already know them,but not his name.

This collection is from his time with Rykodisc, part of the Warner Music Group founded in 1983 in Massachusetts. Includedamongst the spread are songs which appeared on Slow River Records, his own Bedroom Classics label, before moving to Nettwerk Records for 2006’ ‘Subtitulo’. There are also outtakes and demos.

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Best of… charts the rise of his songwriting, which began with some pretty downcast stuff, eventually blossoming intosome glorious material. His trademark warm melodies and harmonies are a thing of great beauty; though they possess anunparalleled subtle melancholy, principally achieved by some deft heart – breaking tones through is highly cultured intimatesinging.

There is an element of restraint on some of his earlier work like Invisible, 100M Backstroke, though he packs apunch on country-tinged gems Late Night Conversation with its whopping crystal-clear production, and Dressed Up Like Nebraskafrom his first album, so the dye was cast. From his 1999 EP Chester, 65 shows a slight, but subtle, pop shift aided byLambchop’s Kurt Wagner.

He improves even further on the lush Under Cold Blue Stars where he seems to come of age. Things get even better whenwe reach 2003’s album 1972. From it are the wonderful title track, a mellow slice of Americana pop, driven by gentlestrumming, piano, measured sticks, hushed and husky vocals rising to a glorious crescendo, with upbeat and perky Love Vibrationhis first attack at the out-and-out commercial market, much like the clever work of Raconteurs’ and compatriot BrendanBenson’s solo pop sensibilities. There’s a cool feel to the funky Come Back Therapy that’s simply irresistible and infectiousfused with summery hooks.

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Rouse released three volumes from his own Bedroom Classics label, with the first six coming from volume one (1999) on CD 2.Much of this sees him naval-gazing and fairly low key, though the quality is there for all to hear, with A Song To Help You Sleepthe brightest and Sad Eyes proving he’s equally as effective when he goes lo-fi. A bossa nova-infused A Night Inis, well, just heavenly.

For this root fanbase, there’s some treats. The country shuffle of Suburban Sweetheart (demo) will be a delight, and thedrone-like quality of Camping In Copenhagen coming as a total surprise, to me a least. Gladly, an outtake from 1972,Princess On The Porch, consolidates my belief that he was on a real mission to impress.

File under: Very impressive. Now buy it!

Note that a full list of the 32 tracks can be seen via the Amazon link above,although these include Late Night Conversation, Invisible, Laughter, Rise,A Song To Help You Sleep, Sunshine, Michigan, My Love Is Gone

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