Josh Rouse was born in Nebraska, and following an itinerant upbringing he eventually landed in Nashville where he recorded his debut Dressed Up Like Nebraska (1998). The album’s acclaim led to tours with Aimee Mann, Mark Eitzel and the late Vic Chestnutt. — joshrouse.com
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‘Dressed Up Like Nebraska’ (1998)
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While not necessarily triggering any specific imagery, the album title says it all. Though I’m still unsure of exactly what the intended conveyance is, it’s nonetheless one hell of a metaphor. And one hell of a lyric. And it’s just one example of the allusive wordplay Josh Rouse employs throughout his very impressive out-of-nowhere debut.
“We could move back to the suburbs/Rent a house, change our name/If you could only find a purpose/If you could only stay the same” the Nebraska native pleads over an expansive soundscape of drums, bass, noir guitar, organ and cello before breathlessly finishing the thought with “I could help you open and unfurl.” It’s a exasperatingly beautiful sentiment on the elegant opening track, “Suburban Sweetheart”, and is a sign of everything that is soon to come. — No Depression
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'Suburban Sweetheart’ (1998)
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Rouse’s songwriting style defers to verbal snapshots of moments in time rather than drawn-out storytelling; his vocals are always imbued with a sense of raggedly honest emotion. “Happy and willing to die/For your love,” he somberly trails off in “The White Trash Period Of My Life”. The prevailing anguish doesn’t even allow him the strength to properly finish the line, all the time painfully aware of what is ultimately a non-decision.— No Depression
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‘The White Trash Period Of My Life’ (1998)
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WHO’S TALKING TO WHO?
Jimmy Kimmel: Kevin James, Kat Dennings, Mammoth WVH
Jimmy Fallon: Cardi B, Alex Moffat, Lang Lang
Stephen Colbert: Blake Shelton
Seth Meyers: Will Forte, Annie Mumolo
James Corden: Mila Kunis, Robin Thicke
SPOILER WARNING
A late night gathering for non serious palaver that does not speak of that night’s show. Posting a spoiler will get you brollywhacked. You don’t want that to happen to you. It's a fate worse than a fate worse than death.
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Sebadoh ‘Skull’ (1994)
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Last week’s poll: CSNY
Crosby 20% 3 votes
Stills 20% 3 votes
Nash 0% 0 votes
Young 60% 9 votes
This week marks the 50th anniversary of Carole King’s Tapestry LP. In honor of that milestone, what’s your favorite Goffin/King composition? Unfortunately, the poll below leaves out so many good songs: Skeeter Davis, the Cookies, Herman’s Hermits, the Righteous Brothers, Dusty Springfield, etc. Choose wisely!