Category:
Pop / Singer/Songwriter

Try if you like:
Lambchop, Mark Eitzel, Ron Sexsmith

If you have been a lurker on Music Emissions for very long you may have picked up on my love for the sadly under-rated Josh Rouse. Every album he does is outstanding. I'm not sure why the Jack Johnson's of the world get all the attention because artists like Josh deserve a hefty portion of that. 

Most of his career, thus far, was spent on Rykodisc: from his debut, Dressed Up Like Nebraska, to 2005's amazing Nashville. He has since found a new home with Nettwerk records, another worthy home for the gently spoken artist. Hopefully they can help expand his audience.

Rykodisc has teamed up once again with Rhino to compile the best of the Rykodisc years and have done a great job. When an artist is as consistent as Rouse it is hard to cherry pick songs. And there was no way they could have done this with a single disc, so you can expect two full discs of joyous songs. There are 3-4 songs from each of his full-length albums and one from his EP he did with Lambchop's Kurt Wagner ("65"). They took a different approach on the second disc. The first 6 songs are from his much sought out Bedroom Classics Vol. 1, which this is the first time this fan has heard them. This is followed up by 7 great demos and outtakes. 

Honestly, I can't complain at all about the track listing. I would have probably picked the exact songs. My all-time favorite Rouse song, "Feeling No Pain" is here. If you are a fan of any singer/songwriter types: Ron Sexsmith, Sam Beam, Jason Collett, Joe Henry, Josh Ritter... and haven't discovered Josh Rouse, there is no better package to get acquainted with. You won't be disappointed. Fall in love here and then move on to the rest of his catalog.