In a recent lunch with a friend I was diagnosed with a malady. I had ignored all the warning signs. Had pish poshed all the symptoms. Didn't put two and two together. But, it's official. It's ennui.
This explains my recent lapse in blogging. It explains my disinterest in movies (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, anyone?). And it explains my major boredom with music lately. Even the new Oasis album has lost a little of it's luster. Coldplay = nap time. I've been longing for some good summer tunes, but was too lethargic to comb through my music catalog to put together a playlist. This was until I got my hands on the latest Josh Rouse album, Nashville. Ennui hasn't been fully cured, but it's getting some pretty heavy treatment.
I've never been a huge Josh Rouse fan. I have his album 1972, but found it to be average at best, it's greatest assest being the cool cd insert design. However, I'd heard a few songs off Nashville when it was first released, and enjoyed them, so it went on my infinite 'music to check out list'. I finally got the album this week and I'm impressed. It's short, just under 40 minutes, but in my present condition this is probably a good thing-any longer and my attention may wander! I'm not sure what genre he falls under. In itunes it comes up as Americana, though I have no clue what sort of music that might be. Despite the title and steel guitar in a few of the songs I don't think it's country enough to be alt-country. And it's a little too layered to be folk though most songs feature acoustic guitar. I hate to say it's pop, because this just makes me think of Britney Spears. Maybe I should stop trying to figure it out and just say it lies somewhere between all those genres and it's fantastic. The lyrics are beautiful, his voice is gorgeous and just floats along each song. The guitars, piano and various other instruments featured sound amazing, and I'm always a sucker for hand-claps in songs. Stand out tracks are It's the Nightime, Winter in the Hamptons and Middle School Frown.
Without realizing it I stumbed on the perfect summertime album. And I'm on my way to crossing off #78: cure ennui.
2 comments:
Nashville is a fantastic album.
Unlike you, I actually am a big Josh Rouse fan. If 1972 fell a little flat for you check out "Uncer The Cold Blue Stars." A phenomenal piece of indie-pop.
Thanks for reading my blog. How'd you come across it?
hey jason-
thanks for visiting my blog. i'll be sure to check out under the cold blue stars. after enjoying nashville so much i thought i'd give 1972 another shot, but it still didn't move me. ah, well...
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