Under Cold Blue Stars

In the last four years, Josh Rouse has quietly but assuredly established himself as one of the finest talents to come out of the late O90s singer-songwriter wave. His first album, 1998's Dressed Up Like Nebraska, is a buried treasure classic of twangy folk-pop; the Vanilla Sky soundtrack featured his song "Directions," a perfect burst of restless emotion that leaves an impression stronger than the movie itself.

Under Cold Blue Stars, Rouse's third full-length album, brightens the atmosphere of his darkly ethereal world just a bit and continues to hone his gently beautiful songwriting skills. The album's melodic theme weaves in and out like his on-and-off narrative of a couple's romance, grounded by brooding undercurrents of fuzzy bass and Nashville twang. And oh, his hooks: Rouse grew up on Brit-pop like the Smiths and Echo and the Bunnymen, and their presence richly infuses his Americana. Although contemporaries like Elliott Smith or Badly Drawn Boy can sometimes force down melodies like cough syrup, Rouse's deft hand plays them off effortlessly. Under Cold Blue Stars is even-handed and confident, drawing upon any number of influences without ever becoming indebted.

With the term "alt-country" thrown around so much to so little effect, Rouse probably won't ever find a large fan base. His turf is familiar and makes few demands, but it lays off the eager-to-please cheese of the John Mayers of the college circuit. Honest pop talent--how refreshing.