Customer Reviews

Country Mouse: City House (Dig)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My initial reaction to this album probably would have led me to a 3-star rating. Upon first listen it came across like such a mixed bag.. almost like a collection of B-Sides. But, since then I have found myself enjoying this album more and more on each listen. Josh Rouse's sound has shifted over the years - not as dramatically as, say, Wilco - but each album has been unique in sound. I think this album does a good job of capturing the many different sounds and styles of Josh Rouse. Alt-country, playful indie-pop, 70's groove/cool... it's all in here in one way or another. Being a huge Rouse fan, I really can't complain that all of these sounds are found in a single album. In fact, I can't get enough of it. I wouldn't call it a classic like I would call "Nashville"... but I can't stop listening. And isn't that what good music is all about? Two favorite songs on the album: God Please Let Me Go Back & Snowy.

I read the other reviews. Um....ok. Well, they are ok but lets talk about the music. From the first song to the last song I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. The hooks, the melodies, the cheer, the pathos, the adventure, and the romance are all here. As soon as I heard the album I bought a few more to send to friends and family. Yes, I like this album a lot and the more I play it the more I like it. I guess now I have to go back and buy his earlier CDs. I've become so tired of the junk, the hip hop rap, the ego battles, the "bling" laden dangerous looking over produced gangster crap that passes for music these days that I was hungry for real music again that I can enjoy. Josh Rouse writes and performs real music written from experiences that I can relate to. So, I give it 5 stars and happily so.

This new release by Josh is an excellent album but in a very subtle way. If you read the reviews people all have different favorites and no cut seems to be a clear winner.If you listen to the CD you will notice every song is good and demands to be heard again, I do not have a favorite cut yet but thats okay because I am enjoying them all. As a previous reviewer stated "It is addictive" and I do agree.

I think Josh is maturing as a song writer and I am glad to be allong for the ride.

I'm surprised that this album hasn't yet been reviewed since it is of such a high caliber of songwriting and performing. Josh Rouse is not a new singer-songwriter, but he should be part of your music collection if you appreciate simple, yet elegant melodies and smart lyrics. This album hits all the marks of songwriting craftmanship and I find myself immersed in these songs and they are so easy to listen to over and over again.

Standouts include "Sweetie," "God, Please Let Me Go Back" (also part of the House, M.D. soundtrack CD) and "Snowy." On the more upbeat and whimsical side, "Hollywood Bass Player" rolls along with more of a Disco beat, but you'll love the melody hook long after the track is over.

I was lucky enough to see Rouse last week in San Francisco and he plays a great live show. Go see him if he comes your way. I had not heard many of his songs before, but everything he performed sounded so familiar and satisfying. What a discovery. Enjoy "Country Mouse City Mouse" and Rouse's other albums. So far, I haven't found one that doesn't sound great.

I would say that Josh's new album is smooth and emotive, though I think that is only fully realized after repeated listenings. I had something of the same effect when listening to 1972, though this new album actually gives me more goosebumps than that one does. That said, this album isn't as catchy as some of Josh's past albums, but I think that getting this CD would make your frequent playlist....and my wife really likes it as well, and although you may not know her, that certainly helps in my book :) I agree with the above poster, that the album is something of a sum of its' parts, than defined by standout tracks......Regardless, Josh is the classic "great artist that is relatively unknown"...and that's a real shame.

"Country Mouse City House" has been in my collection for awhile now. Compared to Nashville or 1972, there is no track that jumps out at me. Recorded in Spain, this material isn't bad. Some of it is very good, but it doesn't stick in my head. "London Bridges" floats with a pretty melody and an unusual lyric, "Really should stay off that corner, someday someone will get killed, they put up a sign to warn you it's dangerous." "Hollywood Bass Player" & "Nice to Fit In" are nice tracks. On "Italian Dry Ice," Rouse seems to be competing with Leonard Cohen for a "Limited Vocal Range" award. "Domesticated Lovers" seems faceless. Overall, Rouse's average music is still worth listening to. However, there's nothing essential here in my humble opinion! Enjoy!

Once again Josh Rouse delivers a stellar, personal, and melodic album. Every song here is a gem and stylistically it doesn't veer too far from Subtitulo. If you liked that CD or for that matter any of his prior CDs, you won't be dissapointed in Country Mouse City House.

Time was when no one could match Josh Rouse for peppy pop hooks and music that just darn-it made me smile. 1972 or Nashville was always guaranteed to cheer me up when I was down. Starting with Subtitulo he seems to be connecting more with the Establishment. The latest effort sounds pretty much like the house band in a cocktail lounge, or Mantovani - horns, strings and something called a mellotron. JR seems to be going more for a cool-jazz vibe. He has apparently grown up and left the fun music behind. I did enjoy Hollywood Bass Player a lot, but the rest of it is forgettable, music to have in the background at your bridge party.

It's getting pretty predictable, another year, another good album from Josh Rouse. Geez, we are kind of taking this guy for granted by now, aren't we? Well, maybe not that many people are, as Rouse remains a pretty obscure artist to most, but his fans might be judging some of the other posts here. That's a shame, as he he one of the best (relatively) young songwriters currently working.

CITY HOUSE, COUNTRY MOUSE continues in the direction of the his last couple releases by marrying sunny 70's vibe pop with knowing and occasionally dark lyrics. Since he moved to Spain a couple years ago, Rouse's music has gotten much lighter, but he still has the knack for writing a great song. The CD is filled with top notch tracks like HOLLYWOOD BASS PLAYER, ITALIAN DRY ICE and NICE TO FIT IN. Some may long for the heavier tone of Rouse's earlier albums like UNDER COLD BLUE SKIES or DRESSED UP LIKE NEBRASKA, but his sunnier outlook on life still produces great songs. I would not rate this as his best work, but it's still a work of high quality.

I first became aware of Josh Rouse when his "Nashville" CD became a bit of a breakout indie hit. Since then, I've purchased all of his subsequent CDs and most of his earlier ones as well. He's become one of my favorite artists, although I have to admit that his music is so low-key that I often forget about listening to his CDs for large chunks of time. I'm always happy when his CDs get back onto my playlist. I didn't like "Subtitulo" as much as his other works, so I actually waited awhile before purchasing "Country Mouse City House."

During the first few listens of "Country Mouse," not much grabbed me; I've generally connected immediately to his music. Too much of this one seemed like retreads of his earlier works, especially "Subtitulo." However, I just needed a few extra listens before falling in love with this CD. Although "Country Mouse City House" is not as creatively successful as "Nashville," it's become my favorite of his CDs. Every song is beautiful and the whole CD flows together so well.

My favorite song is the opener, "Sweetie." The lyrics are sticky sweet, verging on corny: We'll sleep on roof tops/ We'll ride on bicycles/ Baby we'll get married/ Don't you want to, sweetie? In lesser hands, such lyrics would be maudlin beyond belief; instead, this is one of the loveliest songs I've ever heard (in a good way really!). "Hollywood Bass Player" brings some tempo to the proceedings, with a beginning that sounds like Maxine Nightingale's "Right Back Where We Started From." I also love "Domesticated Lovers," which is a duet with his Spanish girlfriend (Paz Suay) - it's one of the catchiest songs he has, and I often find myself humming it around the house. She also provides vocals on "Sweetie" and "Snowy," and they sound good together, although her somewhat Jewel-like vocals sounds better as accompaniment.

Overall, "Country Mouse City House" is as good as anything Josh Rouse has recorded, which makes it better than 90% of what's being released. It may take a few listens to connect with the CD, but it's well worth the extra effort. Looking forward to his next CD and to see where he'll take us then.