The Past. The Present. The Future. This record is in some  ways unique. One… Read Full Bio ↴The Past. The Present. The Future. This record is in some  ways unique. One that bridges both history, and what is to  come. All highlighted in a musical collection that also  reflects the current day, and the here and now for the artist.  This is the world of Josh Rouse circa 2011: An American,  born in the Midwest, who has over his life called many  parts of the United States home, but an American now  living a more cosmopolitan existence in modern Europe.  The common thread through this rich journey has been the  music – distinctive, appealing, and much celebrated across  the globe. And so the life of Josh Rouse, of the Artist, is  reflected in this set of new recordings, a new album,  his ninth overall, and with the simple title, ‘Josh Rouse and  the Long Vacations’.

This album you are holding was recorded in Spain, but  decidedly not “Spanish” in feel, or not, as some might say,  ethnic. This is an album that, in some fashion, reflects a  reprise of the singer-songwriter’s roots. It encapsulates a  past for Rouse that is steeped in that American Midwest,  infused with the spirit of the endless plains and a homespun  existence in Nebraska. And a past also touched by the  American South – one with a distinctive friendly nature,  like a warm hug by a lake on a glorious summer evening. It  reflects a life growing up with the smooth uplifting sounds  of early ‘70s AM radio. The soft rock sounds of the  Artist’s youth. That is the past.

But this album is also informed by the present. While not  sounding what could be described as “Latin”, there is no  doubting that La Furia Roja is manifested in the tracks  within. This is an album recorded in this European nation,  which – by definition – adds its own distinctive texture to  the sounds and spirit and feel of these nine songs. Spain – a  land where an afternoon siesta is still a holdover from what  now seems like a past, simpler life. A society inspired  by the glorious sun-soaked beaches of the Mediterranean,  where life is free and easy. And modern Spain – which  embraces a mixture of the old and new, where 21st century  architecture nestles alongside ancient buildings. This is  Spain – a forward thinking country, living beyond the  traditional rules by which the crossroads of commerce and  culture must adhere. A nation exemplified by the bright  colors and bold brushstrokes of artistic masters such as  Miró and Picasso, reverentially embracing culture – where  art is life, and life is art. This is what inspires the Artist,  and has motivated the formation of these songs.

And the album is steeped in the future – a new decade in  2011, and on toward the years ahead. This is a future where  the world is no longer carved into distinct small units,  where life has become universal – a melting pot of different  cultures, and personalities, and influences – one reflecting  a cosmopolitan spirit, with no boundaries. This is also a  future where technology breaks down barriers and distance.  It is a world that has enabled an album to be recorded for  posterity, in part in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in Barcelona,  and on to Valencia, Spain, where it is gathered together as  a cohesive whole. Indeed, Valencia – the city of arts &  sciences embracing the avant garde & the futuristic – one  that could be said to epitomize, the future.

To the musician’s credit this is an album that makes a bold  statement, and reaches its lofty goals. Then, the Artist is no  stranger to brave moves, having made the choice to uproot  a life and relocate to a new continent, a far, far cry from his  home in Nashville, Tennessee. But as courageous as this  album may be, at the same time it keeps its contents both  fun and, irreverent. As the Artist himself has said “This  album is a variety of short, colorful, pop songs influenced  by the sun, city living, adapting, and humor!” A reminder  that music, at its essence, is entertainment.

This down-to-earth singer-songwriter came out early in his  career with an astounding and acclaimed piece of music in  ‘Dressed Up like Nebraska’, highlighted by its title cut, and  the song “Suburban Sweetheart”, which 15 years later still  stands up majestically alongside other tracks of its canon.  And the Artist continued to build on that impressive debut  with subsequent albums, via his fruitful and long-running  collaborations with producer Brad Jones. To many, this is  personified in the break out hit album ‘1972’. It has been a  career that, thankfully, has seen the Artist exhibit a welcome  reluctance to follow the “devil-may-care, lets release  everything recorded on tape” attitude of some of his  contemporaries. Careful and thoughtful with his output, the  Nebraskan ensures that the songs are well considered, and  striving for the gold standard.

And this is a characteristic that is evident again in this  current set of recordings you hold at this time. While the  tone of this new album may be largely looser, and more  upbeat, and distinct from the earnest seriousness of the  artist’s early work, there is no denying that the same level  of skill and care and attention has gone into its creation. As  a result, ‘Josh Rouse and the Long Vacations’ marks a new  peak in achievement for the Artist.

Upon first hearing, the listener will note with interest, that  for example “Movin’ On” sets the tone for the whole album.  It is light, and airy, with a shuffling easy-going tempo,  reminiscent of a summer breeze, accentuated by layers of  smooth and melodious harmony vocals, while lyrically it  echoes the themes of change and transformation, discussed  above. In some ways the song can be seen as providing a  bridge between some of the Artist’s older material, and  those inspired by the present day.

The playfully loping tune “Lazy Days” looks to ‘The  Kinks’ “Sunny Afternoon” as a kindred spirit. Indeed, a  nod to the past again. And the words relay a tale of a  carefree life, which the Rouse draws from his time in 21st  century Spain. But it could be the third cut on the record,  “Fine, Fine”, which really encapsulates the new and old  worlds. Distinctive, it could not be mistaken for anyone but  ‘Josh Rouse’, but at the same time, melodically it is the  most ethnic. It is a song steeped in the musical movement  known as Bossa Nova, made popular by the classic ‘60s’  recordings of Antonio Carlos Jobim, which featured the  guitar work of Brazilian legend, Joao Gilberto.

In drawing the album’s players from a mostly local crew of  musicians, the Artist has made an excellent choice. Across  the breadth of these nine songs, the supporting cast exhibit  an uncanny ability to interpret the material with perfection.  In addition to core Long Vacations members Xema Fuertes and Caio Bellveser, the record is enhanced by contributions  from special guests Refree (a.k.a. Raül Fernández) on the  theremin, piano, moog and vox, Robert DiPietro providing  drums and percussion, Esteban Perles (on more drums) and  Paco Loco on the baritone guitar. One cannot help but  notice that the musicians amply complement the Artist,  successfully interpreting his sound, and his vision. This is  particularly illustrated in a number of deft touches  peppered across the album – the staccato handclaps on “Oh,  Look What the Sun Did!”, the wild and space-age theremin  on “Fine, Fine”, a twanging guitar on “Disguise”, the  almost jazz-like bass that opens “Friend”, the plaintive  piano in “Bluebird St.” – a host of components that add  further textural elements which enhance the record.

And let us not forget to mention the opener “Diggin’ in the  Sand”. Musically reminiscent of the carefree folk of Simon  and Garfunkel, in words and music, it predicts the tone and  feel of the entire album, and the themes within. And in  simple terms, to quote the Artist’s lyrics, it indeed  references the “future and the past”.

‘Josh Rouse and the  Long Vacations’ is a stellar collection of new recordings. A  set of songs, both thoughtful, melodious, and indeed  enjoyable. An album that is likely to bring a summery feel  to any time of the year. It is an album of great feeling and  unity, encapsulating a full moon of ideas and ideals. Ideas  and ideals that are fashioned, and continue to inhabit, the  past, the present, and the future.

Josh Rouse and The Long Vacations Lyrics