Description
Across more than a dozen albums going back to 1998, Josh Rouse has managed to cobble together a satisfying blend of folk and Americana with strong pop elements. This album uses that established musical template as a starting point, but is a much more relaxed affair.
Written when he was forced off the road due to the pandemic, he retreated with his family to Spain with plenty of time on his hands. Missing out on performing, he pulled together his Spanish band and started playing regularly in a friend’s bar. The result of that relaxed vibe, with little expectations and no specific time limitations can be heard all over the record, especially on songs like “Henry Miller’s Flat” and “Waiting on the Blue,” which sound like they were crafted specifically for live audience singalongs.
Rouse explained “A year later, after things opened up a bit, I said ‘Why don’t we just go in and I’ll produce it, and let’s just record these songs and see what happens?’ And that’s what the Going Places record is- stuff that just felt good to play to a live audience.”
Formerly citing The Smiths and The Cure as influences, it seems Rouse is increasingly comfortable in JJ Cale and Buddy Holly territory. Regardless, with each album he continues to gently nudge his Americana credentials higher and higher.
