This came out in 2003 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Josh Rouse was born in 1972. His Fender Telecaster was made in 1972.
So it’s easy to see why the rootsy pop singer-songwriter decided to time-travel back to the days of Carole King and post-Beatles pop for his fifth album. Though it is somewhat bizarre, considering Rouse is best known as an acoustic, flannel-clad Americana act. You won’t find much of that on these 10 tunes. But you will find a whole whack of soul and pop grooves, Curtis Mayfield vibes, horn lines and flute arrangements, Steely Dan solos and even the odd disco beat. Working together on addictive cuts like the bouncy Love Vibration, the seductive Under Your Charms and even the Rolling Stones-meets-Wilco electro-rocker Slaveship, they make this Rouse’s most commercial and accessible album. Looks like 1972 could be a good year.
