Under Cold Blue Stars

Kurt Wagner of Lambchop called him "sublime"; Michael Timmins of CowboyJunkies said he was responsible for making him "fall in love with my record collection all over again".

Since his highly acclaimed 1998 debut Dressed Up Like Nebraska, and its more fleshed-out 2000 follow up Home, Nebraskan born Josh Rouse has been honing his skills as a songwriter, singer and guitar player, and Under Cold Blue Stars is the result.

Rouse's third album for Slow River/Rykodisc is a classic: 12 elegant but understated, happy-sad songs that collectively add up to a tale that is melodic, moving and memorable.

Produced by Roger Moutenot (who's worked with Yo La Tengo, Lou Reed, John Zorn), UNDER COLD BLUE STARS is a very loose concept record (it's also the first time Josh has worked with a producer).

"It's almost like a short film or a little screenplay. I took all those relationship themes and decided to make it about a couple" says Rouse.

"The third album by Nebraskan singer-songwriter is such a finely crafted collection of roots-based pop songs that, for once, comparisons to the likes of Ron Sexsmith (the first, good, album) Joe Henry and Ryan Adams are warranted. Rouse has a smooth, warm voice and his songs have such gentle and beautiful melodies that they will insinuate themselves into your heart and mind.

There is enough of a classic indiepop sensibility in his songwriting to appeal to fans of the Beautiful South, Prefab Sprout and enough roots rock to make any fan of Whiskeytown, Pete Yorn etc more than satisfied. I dare you listen to songs like 'Nothing gives me pleasure', 'Under Cold Blue Stars' and 'Ugly Stories' and then tell me that you won't be dragging this CD out in twelve months time and forcing it upon the uninitiated… " -AIDAN