Last night I went to hear Josh Rouse at the Grey Eagle. So did lots of other people which meant I couldn’t see him too well for all the tall people standing in front of me. But I sort of didn’t care. Sometimes, when I go to a show, I need to be able to see the band, for the entertainment value, but I have a different relationship with Josh Rouse.
It’s like this: By the time I get done researching a musician for a story, I’ve usually overdone it with their CDs. It’s a bit like a college room mate—that crash course in some stranger’s personal life. After a week of intense getting acquainted, I need my space. I know too much.
But Rouse—maybe he doesn’t feel the same, but I really think he gets me. His songs are just the right balance or artistry and pop. There are clean edges, good, simple lyrics and interesting tunes. The songs end before I’m ready for them to. The grooves—especially for a singer-songwrietr—are catchy. My husband was all, “That’s so Wilco; that’s so Mitch Easter,” because he knows I don’t love Americana. But as far as I’m concerned, Rouse transcends all that alt-ness. Plus, I was getting vintage soul and early Allman brothers influences.
I’m not at the point where I can sing a long with all the songs. Most of the audience could. I admit, I was jealous. I have “She’s Spanish, I’m American” on my iPod, though, and it was only released like five minutes ago. I just wish it was longer—a five-song EP is a tease.
Rouse played the Grey Eagle show with a small band and his Spanish girlfriend Paz Suay singing backup. I wish she’d sang a bit more, because her voice is sweet and fresh and brings a new dynamic to Rouse’s music. He told the audience that if he still lived in Nashville (he doesn’t; he divides his time between New York and Spain) he’d play the Grey Eagle so much we’d all get sick of him. I’d like to see him try.
—Alli Marshall, A&E Reporter
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