Josh Rouse-The Best Of

"He's got a nicely scorched voice and some hummable melodies to match it."

Nebraska-born singer-songwriter Josh Rouse, who started his recording career after moving to Nashville, began in an organic, rootsy vein. By the time of his third album, UNDER COLD BLUE STARS, he had graduated to a more pop-oriented approach with increasingly sophisticated production. His 2003 release, 1972, upped the ante even further by touching on both Rouse's '70s pop and soul roots.

A highly prolific and accomplished singer-songwriter, Josh Rouse is well represented by this excellent two-disc set, which thoughtfully surveys the indie-pop performer's late-1990s/early-2000s recordings. Highlights include the wistful "1972" and the chiming "Winter in the Hamptons," songs that showcase Rouse's emotive voice and intuitively spare arrangements. The second disc consists largely of previously unreleased tracks, making the collection ideal for dedicated fans of the talented troubadour.

Josh Rouse's follow-up to his critically acclaimed album 1972 ventures still deeper into the territory of mellow, nostalgia-tinged '70s FM radio, and this time the results are a little less Philly soul and a little more Laurel Canyon. The gently lilting "Winter in the Hamptons" and "Saturday" find Rouse nestled comfortably between the Rolling Stones' "Tops" and Bob Dylan's "Sweetheart Like You" on the jukebox, while "Carolina" is so light it could make James Taylor cry into his lemonade. Tinkly piano floats under Rouse's breathy vocals on "Sad Eyes" in a manner sure to enhance any romantic yearning to the point of pain, while a boogie-woogie vibe turns up on "Why Won't You Tell Me What." It's great to see this Nebraska singer/songwriter stepping unashamedly into the AOR-ready troubadour mold left empty for decades, and it's a role he inhabits beautifully and proudly. Incidentally, the title of the album refers more to geography (Rouse lived in Nashville for a decade), than rhinestone-spangled cowboy style, though some nice pedal-steel guitar does sweeten up a few tracks.

"This guy is the real deal. A great songwriter, Great creative music and a great style you can relax to."