Josh Rouse - 'Subtitulo' (first impressions)

Per the usual method (Amazon pre-order - incidentally, my easiest access to good music now that Cactus Records is folding up shop), you can stream the new Josh Rouse album Subtitulo. This is Josh's first record since 1) moving to Spain and 2) parting ways with his record label. The results are predictably laid-back but lack none of the usual beauty of his previous work.

This record will seem like a natural progression for fans who followed Josh from 1972 to Nashville, a baby step toward Subtitulo's overtly stripped down approach. One does occasionally miss the poppier moments from his earlier records, but - as with all of his records - this album is better taken as a welcome addition to Josh's substantial catalog. For us fans, he wins major bonus points for being consistent and prolific (coming only a year or so after Nashville). What's fascinating about Josh Rouse is his ability to implement subtle changes album to album, while retaining the elements of his core sound (there's always some pedal steel lurking back there somewhere).

I'd have to suspect (though I don't really know) that 1972 sold better than his other records, and it had to be tempting to crank out a Vol. 2 at some point. Refreshingly, Rouse has chosen to keep it both interesting and challenging for his listeners - and, hopefully, for himself as well.