Track Listing

1. 1972
2. Love Vibration
3. Sunshine
4. James
5. Slaveship
6. Come Back
7. Under Your Charms
8. Flight Attendant
9. Sparrows Over Birmingham
10. Rise

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38611 in Music
• Released on: 2003-09-08
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
In this song cycle inspired by the year he was born (1972), the wispy-voiced Rouse conjures (or imagines) the era's essential groovy vibe, from the title track's homage to Carole King's "It's Too Late" to the Brady Bunch bounce of "Love Vibration" to the flutes, falsetto and jazzy guitar licks of so many of the retro arrangements. Yet Rouse's spin on the era transcends simple nostalgia; the lyrics aren't always as buoyant as the sunny musical interplay, and "1972", the psychedelic soul of "James" and the piano-driven "Slaveship" all suggest a darker tinge within this world of lollipops and rainbows. The bass pulse of "Comeback (Light Therapy)" has a hypnotic effect beyond the time warp, although a come-on line such as "it's the end of the night and I'm feelin' sexual" (from "Under Your Charms") would have sounded as lame in 1972 as it does three decades later. Apparently, those barely old enough to remember the 1970s are doomed to repeat them. --Don McLeese

CD Description
From the period-specific cover design to the mellow grooveswithin, Josh Rouse's 2003 release 1972 is something of a time machine. With its feel-good vibes, earthy structures, andgorgeously crisp, expansive production (courtesy of Brad Jones), the album effortlessly transports us to the year in question. Moreover, it's clear that Rouse has been doing his homework--his excellent batch of songs bears the influence of'70 songwriters like Carole King, Marvin Gaye, and James Taylor, and groups like America and Fleetwood Mac. But Rouse is no mere mimic; he blends his inspirations with flair. His stylistic melange contains clear reference points, yet stands in its own bell-bottomed jeans.
When the intimate, singer/songwriter feel of the title track gives way to a steady,organ-driven groove on "Love Vibration" (which also features Wurlitzer, flutes, saxophones, and call-and-response back-up vocals), the die of 1972 is cast. Rouse has a way with irresistible hooks, too, and "James", with its soft funk and falsetto chorus, and "Comeback (Light Therapy)", with its smooth, catchy refrains, feel like old friends one hasn't seen in years. Appropriate for living-room lounging or road tripson a sunny summer's day, 1972 conjures a warm, charming nostalgia, even for listeners too young to remember the era.

Customer Reviews

Just like a sunny afternnoon.
It becomes clear only moments into Josh's fourth album 1972 that things have moved on for the american song writer. The title track 1972 just drips harmony and sunshine and washs over you so effortelessly. It really does make your day all the better for listening to it. This is Josh in a much happy state. I read recently that Nebraska, Home and Cold Blue Stars were part of a trilogy and this album was meant as a departure from them. Well, it is and could quite possibly be his best album.
Each track is so smooth, smooth, smooth- with the production values more consistent with music from the decade the album is based upon. Josh has never sounded better.
When track 3 hits and it's hook gets you, you will really know love. It's called Sunshine and it certainly is.

Melodic bliss in a world of plastic pop
Wow, what a breath of fresh air this is. Saw a favourable review on this and decided to chance it and boy am i glad i did. This album has the rare distinction these days of not having a duff track on it. Josh deals with the same earnest aldut themes as a Coldplay or a Travis, but it's all passed through a 1970's Steely Dan filter, so the message and the feel of the songs are all drsssed up in lovely sugary tunes and faultless melodies. You know you have found something special, when the minute you hear it, you know you have to get everything else the artist has done. Why is this man not a superstar?

The smooth sounds of Josh Rouse
A friend lent me a copy of this to listen to. Having never heard of Josh Rouse and having lots of other music to keep me occupied, I didn't get round to putting it on for a few weeks, but when I did I found it instantly appealing. I listened to it again the next day, then twice the day after, by the end of the week I was hooked. Can't quite put my finger on what it is about this album, after all the lyrics aren't particularly groundbreaking, but his distinctly soothing voice and lovely guitar work make this album a pleasure to listen to. I've played it so much over the last year or so now that it will go down as one of those pieces of music that difines a period in my life.

I saw him play live in a small intimate club a few weeks after getting into this album, he covered most of the tracks from 1972......it was one of the most satisfying gigs I've ever been to.