It’s been six years since Josh Rouse released a proper solo album along the lines of his stellar mid-career trio, Under Cold Blue Stars, 1972 and Nashville.
He followed his muse (and his wife) to Spain after 2007’s Country Mouse, City House and released one half-Spanish album and a couple of sleepy EPs. And while those records had their moments, they just didn’t feel like the Josh Rouse I love.
So I’m very happy to report that Rouse’s newest release, The Happiness Waltz, is a return to form. It features his simple, beautiful melodies and the same 70s singer-songwriter vibe that paints him as a man gloriously out of time.
Like Ben Folds Five, Rouse released this album through Pledge Music, the Kickstarter-esque music site that allows fans to pay varying amounts to receive nifty items such as signed vinyl copies of the album or even (even BFF’s case) your name recorded in a song. I opted for the simple $9 download. Money well spent.
Trying to get the message through
Wondering why I’m feeling so uptight
I can blame it on you, yeah
Flying out to London, baby
Got a little number to do
Come Monday I’ll be feeling alright
Then we can start anew
The look in your eyes at the end of the night
Telling me not to go, it’s both of our fault
This movie’s way too long
This movie’s way too long
If only you would listen to me
If only I could show some respect
Come a little closer and woo me
I would get out of this mess
I’m flying out to Huston, baby
Play a little number or two
Come Monday I’ll be feeling alright
I get that call in to you, yeah
The look in your eyes at the end of the night
Telling me not to go, it’s both of our fault
This movie’s way too long
This movie’s way too long
Faces, people are lonely
I miss you, feelings I see through
Before too long, I’ll be back by your side
This movie’s way too long
Meet Me In Montauk 
He does have a nice sound, though, from I have heard, far less interesting than the likes of Ben Folds or most of the 70s singer/songwriters. Perhaps this explains why he has never really broken through commercially.
This record is actually being released by Yep Roc Records, not PledgeMusic. I think he just did that campaign to raise money for his US tour.