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UNDER COLD BLUE STARS
Josh Rouse
(Ryko)
This is supposed to be a concept album about a middle-aged couple - which works out since it contains love, passion and dull routine in equal measures.
Never once belying the fact he's from Nashville, Rouse weaves poetic tales about fond memories, growing old, growing apart - all delivered in a torpid, raspy drone favoured by many sensitive singer-songwriters. There are moments where Rouse seems so choked by ennui that he can barely continue. Songs like Summer Kitchen Ballad are particularly wan: "Sat in the kitchen with an asthma cigarette, out the window with an inch of regret. It's a grey world."
Then there are breezy pop songs that wouldn't be out of place on '70s AM radio - jangly guitars and major key melodies that don't evoke a grey world at all. The title track, a lovely pop-soul ditty about how youthful dreams give way to family life, is the best of the lot. Nice touches like funky drum loops, flute solos and string sections help keep the energy level above the threshold of pleasantly dozing off.
It's better than dying alone. (More on: Josh Rouse).
Saturday, February 2, 2002
Lovely pop-soul
Edmonton Sun