Rating:

(Nettwerk/Bedroom Classics, 2006) Josh Rouse’s 7th album, Subtítulo (Spanish for “Subtitle”), is a relaxed singer/songwriter affair, well-suited for spring and the accompanying warm weather. As Rouse and his backing band weave their way through nine stories (and one instrumental), the less consequential numbers, like the opening trio of “Quiet Town,” “Summertime,” and “It Looks Like Love”, are the kind of ingratiating tunes that work into brains and stick. Unfortunately, the entirety of Subtítulo isn’t as easily pleasing as its beginning. Rouse inexplicably decided to follow those three lovely summer coffeehouse pieces with “La Costa Blanca,” a sort of instrumental country-rock postlude to “It Looks Like Love” that doesn’t do anything for the song or the album. After that is the ennui-soaked ballad “Jersey Clowns,” which also doesn’t quite hit its mark. The song’s characters all sound like blue-collar Jersey factory workers, but the song’s demeanor just doesn’t really reflect that. “His Majesty Rides” is a recovery of sorts, as the band loosens up a bit and rocks a little. The real comeback, however, is staged on “Givin’ It Up,” as Rouse contrasts lyrics about hitting rock-bottom and climbing out of the bottle with a bouncy bassline, uplifting (but not corny) strings, and a bubbling melody. The celebration is shortlived, though, as the album stumbles again on “Wonderful,” which is merely adequate. Sandwiched between that mediocrity and the disappointing closer, “El Otro Lado,” is the catchy, jazzy “The Man Who…,” featuring the girly guest vocals of Paz Suay. In the end, the lovely bright spots on Subtítulo are sadly is marred by its weaker songs. Be that as it may, the album is worth picking up for the catchy summer tunes.

 1. Quiet Town

 2. Summertime

 3. It Looks Like Love

 4. La Costa Blanca

 5. Jersey Clowns

 6. His Majesty Rides

 7. Givin’ It Up

 8. Wonderful

 9. The Man Who…

10. El Otro Lado

Buy album

– Kevin

This 35-beetsreview was posted on April 8th, 2006. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.