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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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Josh Rouse: Quality Happy Music
Wednesday 31 July @ 11:04:09 |
 by Rob Van Alstyne
Josh Rouse plays what I like to call “adult” rock music. No, I’m not referring to the horrific images of Michael Bolton and Celine Dion that I may have inadvertently conjured in your head, but rather the laid-back mature songwriting of artists like Ron Sexsmith and Freedy Johnston. Like those artists, Rouse acknowledges the possibility of crafting quality rock without channeling played-out themes of adolescent angst. His third full-length, Under Cold Blue Stars, rocks sedately and smoothly, hitting its stride devoid of power chords but buoyed by a sexy groove. The musicianship and production are tight throughout, with bright keyboard and drum loops serving to augment the traditional electric rock lineup. Elegant touches of cello and trumpet also serve to heighten the relaxed musical atmosphere. The result is far from standard singer / songwriter fare. “I wish I would have recorded in the beginning under a band name like Sparklehorse did,” says Rouse. “I just couldn’t think of a name I wanted to have follow me for years. My records always sound more like a band to me than some singer/songwriter thing. I’ve been lucky to work with some amazing musicians and definitely make an attempt to have it sound like a band versus just a bunch of musicians backing me up as the center of attention.”
Under Cold Blue Stars is an upbeat concept album about the travails of a fictional Midwestern couple, but its themes of romantic commitment and everyday problems are never cloying or cheap. Rouse seems to have crafted a superb pop album out of the unlikeliest of thematic source materials—a happy domestic life. “I like there to be some hope in the songs that I write and I think subconsciously it comes out,” explains Rouse. “I don’t want my records to be depressing people. For whatever reason, I find that a lot of my fans are lonely people and my music seems to help them out, which is really flattering. I don’t have any secrets, just that on this record I really wanted to have kind of an upbeat musical swing to it.”
As Rouse makes his second headlining swing through the Twin Cites after an appearance at the 7th Street Entry this past April, his mellow tunes seemed poised for a possible commercial breakthrough. “I like where I’m at right now, and I’m pretty happy with the way things are going with my music,” Rouse states nonchalantly. “The longer I’ve been involved in music the more self-directed everything is becoming, which I really like. Early on I had to withstand a lot more suggestions concerning my music and that sort of thing, but I’ve been stubborn and stuck by my guns. I’m fortunate in that the people at the record company let me do what I want. I haven’t had to work in a couple of years just from publishing deals that have worked out nicely, which has been really fortunate. My music is pretty intimate so I don’t really ever see myself being comfortable playing arenas or that sort of thing, so I’m not really sure how much farther it can go. The more I do music though, the more I figure out what works best for me.”
Josh Rouse plays Sun., Aug. 4, at the 400 Bar with special guests. 9 p.m. $8. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903.
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