[rating=8.00]
The Happiness Waltz, the latest release from venerable singer-songwriter Josh Rouse, is a pretty solid release. Rouse fills the record with his patented upbeat folk-pop charm, records it in a fashion that reminds you of ’70s-era recordings, and sings in a register and sense of ease that is comparable to that of Paul Simon. The lyrics are the stuff of quintessential easy-going pop and folk rock, and if any combination of all these things interests you, or if you are a fan of Rouse already, then you will dig this record.
“It’s Good to Have You” is a great example of the themes, tone and scope of the record. The laid back folk-pop is graceful, languid and even-keel throughout as Rouse croons about wondering what it would be like to have that special someone living with him before he goes on to sing about how good it is to have this person in his life. The down-tempo, slightly jazzy shuffler “Our Love” takes a contemplative look at a love that has aged well with time while and the up-tempo acoustic ditty “Start a Family”’s idealism and straightforwardness are hard to deny.
Rouse has delivered a record which plumbs the depths of the ups and downs of love and life with surprising richness and delicacy. While much of the material is more cheery than not, even the more wistful material—namely the closing title track—is imbued with a beauty that evokes tears of joy if anything, rather than sadness. Rouse has a way with melodies that draws you in and The Happiness Waltz is filled with melodies you will likely get stuck in your brain for a long time to come.
