Under Cold Blue Stars

Josh Rouse

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 19, 2002)
• Original Release Date: February 19, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Slow River Records
• ASIN: B00005UOWM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,631 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #69 in	Music > Indie Music > Folk > Folk Rock
  #78 in	Music > Indie Music > Pop > Singer-Songwriters

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Under Cold Blue Stars, the third album from native Nebraskan Josh Rouse, is full of elegant, melodic pop songs that are deftly understated but carry hooks as catchy as Coldplay's (whose music the opening song, "Twilight," uncannily evokes). This is music for folk in love with Americana and timeless pop; it's a gentle hinterland of melancholy and hope. The loose concept behind Under Cold Blue Stars is that of a fractious couple in the late 1950s, trying to come to terms with their lives and relationship. "Christmas with Jesus" is an unashamedly beautiful realization of their struggles, as is the upbeat title track, which touches on sources as diverse as Nils Lofgren, the Cure, and even Bruce Springsteen (albeit, a Springsteen shorn of all pride and aggrandizement). All this adds up to make Under Cold Blue Stars rather special. --Everett True

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rouse-ing Success!, December 10, 2002

By	Brian D. Rubendall (Oakton, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Josh Rouse has developed into one of the best American rock songwriters that few people have ever heard of. Tagged as an "Alternative Country" artist because of the slight twang that infected his earlier efforts, Rouse's sound has evolved to become the kind of mainstream rock that was hugely popular back in the 1970's, but is considered progressive and edgy these days. That said, "Under the Cold Blue Stars" is good enough to deserve a Ryan Adams-like breakthrough to mass popularity. Rouse's voice is at times a dead ringer for Admas and his songwriting is much more disciplined.

The best track on the album is the single "Miracle," which contains a killer hook and a sweet meoldy. "Feeling no Pain" is another pop rock gem in a similar mode, while "Christmas With Jesus," "Ugly Stories," "Women and Men" and the quiet closing ballad "The Whole Night Through" are also excellent. The album is relatively brief at only 11 tracks, but contains no clunkers.

Overall, an outrstanding mainstream rock album that deserves a wider audience.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Josh does it again..., February 24, 2002

By A Customer

With "Under Cold Blue Stars" Josh Rouse earns a reason to be labeled one of the best singer/songwriters on the scene today, along with Pete Yorn, John Mayer, and Ryan Adams. Popping up in such movies as "Hamlet" and "Vanilla Sky" Josh is set to finally bust out into the mainstream. On this album, he takes a slightly more "homegrown" and mellancholly approach to his music than "Home". Definitely pick up this CD (if you can find it.) Stand out tracks are "Miracle" and "Feeling No Pain."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh, Yeah, get under these cold blue stars......, March 31, 2003

By	J. Sweeney (manchester, mo) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a beautifully crafted set of songs. All the songs relate to a relationship that went awry. "Nothing Gives Me Pleasure" chronicles the beginning, when you are so happy because you think you got the right one, which goes into "Miracle" because that person feels the same. Then you got a man trying to understand and be a part of his wife's fervent religious beliefs, then the child (children?) comes, then the affair, the breakup, and the trying to work within a comfort zone of caring and understanding. The musical arrangements shimmer-they are just beautiful and melodic, and belie the downbeat lyrics in many of the songs. He certainly doesn't have the greatest singing voice, but it is well suited to these kind of songs, and he sings with heaps of emotion and sincerity that really makes you FEEL the songs! It's a shame that radio can't find a spot for this kind of recording, because it really is one of the best cd's I've heard this year. Highly recommended!