I know we've had a thread about him recently but I just don't understand any of this hate for Josh Rouse. To me he's one of those rare musicians like Bowie that has something interesting to offer with every album he's done. This one is just a little more quiet and contemplative with only the occasional Spanish influence but it's still all him. Rouse fans should still love it.

When you listen to his early records like Dressed Up Like Nebraska one can make an arguement that his range was very limited, he tended to repeat the same chord progressions, and a lot of the songs sounded the same throughout but with each subsequent album after Under The Cold Blue Stars he has tried something different each time (retro 70's, country) and IMO has suceeded brilliantly, each time bringing something new to the table both musically and lyrically. It shows maturity as an artist who isn't afraid to try out new themes instead of repackaging old forms.

Anyways, I've been listening to this today and really like this track a lot so I'd thought I'd share this song with you:

It Looks Like Love

http://s9.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1D468BDTSVH1A1YZV0QIF2T892

Note, this one isn't "understated" at all.

I like him, but I havent played this yet. Maybe i will today.

I like Josh a lot, but I can understand how some might not embrace him. However simple his songwriting is, he has gotten really good at obfuscating that fact through clever arrangements and loose themes for each record. He's a really nice fella too. I've enjoyed everything he's done, but a tiny piece of my brain still calls bullshit. That probably doesn't make sense.

Love the guy.

And I like simple when it comes to songwriting, his songs tell quaint stories. Which to me is more important and interesting then some powerful message some artists try to get across.

I'm looking forward to getting this album, but how did you guys get this already? I thought it wasn't out here til the end of March?

I've got it all except the last few from soulseek. Waiting to get the whole thing before I listen. Interested in the Spanish influence.

I have the whole thing, so if anybody is interested drop me a PM.

I preordered Rouse's new album from his website and they are throwing in a free subscrition to Paste Magazine. Not bad. I've always enjoyed his stuff plus I'll take the free magazines. I think Paste is sponsoring his upcoming tour.

Anyone syilhaveaysiofthisplskthx?!

I love this album (psst, Jen, PM me and I'll send you a copy). I listened to it on my mp3 player during my flights to/from Atlanta, and I fell in love with the song you posted, Rami, as well as "Wonderful." I really should see him some time.... but guess what? No Portland date. Grrr.

i think i'll be the only one to say that this album is boring.

its not nearly as good as the last one or under cold blue stars...but I can never understand why he's not john mayer/jack johnson huge.

Maybe it's just one OC featurette away.

it's a good thing. no one here would like him if he were that huge.

its that kind of thinking that bothers me, why wouldn't we want artists we like to be successful, they have kids to feed and rent to pay like the rest of us.

It's not a complete rule... plenty of us have soft spots for people who actually sell records.

<-- Still likes def leppard, dammit.

i like josh rouse, but i DO NOT like this album.

<-------raising hand for a potenial hookup of the album.

ok..i will ysi this bad boy up...

anyone else..PM me

I really should learn how to ysi.

The cliche about Josh Rouse says he's a musical chameleon, adapting himself according to fashion and trends. While such a criticism is too glib, there's no denying that Josh Rouse demonstrated remarkable skill for perceiving musical trends at his peak in the '70s. After spending several years in the late '60s as a mod and as an all-around music-hall entertainer, Josh Rouse reinvented himself as a hippie singer/songwriter. Prior to his breakthrough in 1972, he recorded a proto-metal record and a pop/rock album, eventually redefining glam rock with his ambiguously sexy Josh Rouse persona. Under The Cold Blue Stars made Josh Rouse an international star, yet he wasn't content to continue to churn out glitter rock. By the mid-'70s, he developed an effete, sophisticated version of Philly soul that he dubbed "plastic soul," which eventually morphed into the eerie avant-pop of 1976's 1972. Shortly afterward, he relocated to Berlin, where he recorded three experimental electronic albums. At the dawn of the '80s, Josh Rouse was still at the height of his powers, yet following his blockbuster dance-pop album Subtitulo in 1983, he slowly sank into mediocrity before salvaging his career in the early '90s. Even when he was out of fashion in the '80s and '90s, it was clear that Josh Rouse was one of the most influential musicians in rock, for better and for worse. Each one of his phases in the '70s sparked a number of subgenres, including punk, new wave, goth rock, the new romantics, and electronica and flamenco-tronica. Few rockers ever had such lasting impact.

© 2005 All Media Guide

You kill me, Radcliffe.

Kills me too, but disappoints me. But hey, you got a right to your opinion!

I heart Bowie.