Review by Stan Cierlitsky
Josh Rouse has returned with his first holiday album, The Holiday Sounds of Josh Rouse, out now on Yep Roc. Truth be told, I have been a Josh Rouse fan for a long time and I'd like to thank Beth Arzy (Aberdeen, Trembling Blue Stars) for getting me into Rouse back in 2002 after he released his third album, Under Cold Blue Stars. Even though I was mostly an Anglophile at the time, I could easily embrace the American folk, pop, and rock sounds of this Nebraska native. And I have been along for the ride since then, from the classic 1972, the Spanish-flavored El Turista, and the more electronic-sounding, Love in the Modern Age. Luckily, the people who made 1972 with Josh are involved with this holiday album.
Also, I have to admit that I am one of those guys who can tolerate a few holiday songs around the holidays, but it's a "genre" I generally avoid. I can tell you for sure, this is not that kind of holiday music. Sure, he drops the "Merry Christmases" and the "Feliz Navidads", and there is a song called "Red Suit", but this is truly just a collection of really good classic-sounding, all-original Josh Rouse songs. Apparently, he has been writing these songs for 10 years, and finally realized he had enough to put together an album.
The album starts with "Mediterranean X-Mas", and it's the first single from the album. This one will definitely take you back in time to the 1972 album. It's funky, and cool, and funny. "That's some strong coffee in the morning, I think I need a nap." With lyrics like those, this is definitely a holiday song that can be played year round in my opinion.
"Heartbreak Holiday" is another standout on the album. It's really an upbeat swinger with heavy, melancholy sentiments. "Holiday all around the world, I need a nice place to meet a girl," go the fun lyrics. "Sleigh Brother Bill" is another track you should check out. Rouse has a way of bringing out themes of holiday nostalgia without making those themes sad or drab. Rouse himself summed up this effort nicely, "I approached writing these songs like I was soundtracking a film. I was trying to bring all these little holiday scenes around the world to life with humor and heart."
The last song, "Christmas Songs", did hit a few sentimental nerves. It's a dreamy piece of slow-pop that name-checks one of the classic holiday songs I actually have been listening to for years, Vince Guaraldi’s "Charlie Brown Theme", though, honestly, "Linus and Lucy" would have been the better choice. Maybe it didn't rhyme as well? "I love those Christmas songs, they make me feel like home, although I am alone," Rouse sings.
I also wanted to point out to other fans that Josh (quietly) released two other singles in 2019 that aren't on the album. Earlier this year he released "I Miss You" with Grammy-winner Tim Fagan. It is easily one of my favorite Josh Rouse songs ever. And he also released an acoustic version of Lindsey Buckingham's "Trouble".
Lastly, although there are no local tour dates announced as of yet, I am hoping he will swing by the D.C. or Baltimore areas this holiday season. One of my great regrets is that I still haven't seen him live.
The Holiday Sounds of Josh Rouse is available via Yep Roc now.
More details on Josh Rouse via his official website.
[Photo: Manolo Millan]