Josh Rouse
Under Cold Blue Stars

(Rykodisc)

T.J. Simon's #5 album for 2002

First Appeared at The Music Box, February 2003, Volume 10, #2

Written by T.J. Simon

Josh Rouse just keeps getting better and better with each album. His previous releases Dressed up Like Nebraska and Home were both superb examples of perfect marriages of melody and lyrics. Rouse exceeds all high expectations with his ambitious and thoughtful 2002 release Under Cold Blue Stars. Reportedly a concept album about a 1950s married couple — frankly, the concept was lost on me — Rouse captures a moody vibe on the atmospheric title track and the sweet-sounding Nothing Gives Me Pleasure. Other highlights include Miracle, Feeling No Pain and Christmas with Jesus. This is another one of those albums with nary a bad moment. Comparisons to David Gray and Ryan Adams don’t do Rouse justice — he blows those guys away with every melancholy chord.

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Ratings

1 Star:   Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 2003 The Music Box