By Mike Fordham

Josh Rouse’s last album, 1972, was a pleasant soul-funk diversion for the singer/songwriter. Since that release, Rouse moved from his native Nashville and moved to Spain, spurred by a painful divorce. His latest effort, Nashville, is both an homage to Rouse’s hometown and marriage.

Rouse differs in numerous ways from his commercial-oriented singer/songwriter peers. In his music and voice, Rouse exudes a style and maturity that is not forced and comes only through years of experience (he has five albums under his belt). Only someone who’s been around for awhile could make a song like the beautiful “Sad Eyes” not full of sappiness, but of honest emotion.

Since Nashville is the home for country music, it should not come as a surprise that it sneaks into Rouse’s repertoire. While country isn’t the guiding force for Rouse, a certain twang is evident, as well as the genre’s penchant for sadness and remorse (listen to the harmonica and acoustic guitar work on “Life”).

Rouse also works in elements of rock and indie pop as well (the dreamy “It’s The Nighttime,” “Middle School Frown”). Such trappings are found in “Winter In The Hamptons,” which boasts Rouse’s ability to combine upbeat and whimsical music with depressing lyrics. The song, which refers to Long Island’s posh Hamptons section, captures the loneliness and desolation that wintertime can induce. Rouse even forays into jazz with “Why Won’t You Tell Me What.” It’s astounding how easily Rouse can glide in and out of multiple genres, and do so without feeling contrived.

Rouse continually moves between melancholy and optimism, musically and lyrically. This often occurs in the same song. “Carolina” and “My Love Has Gone” are testaments to this. By going down a path where joy and sadness are blurred together, it’s as if Nashville was made to be played on a rainy day.

After the sublime 1972, the onus was on Rouse to make another exceptional album. Nashville far exceeds its predecessor and all expectations. As with any Rouse album, the material is soft yet smart (for further investigation, check out 2002’s Under Cold Blue Stars). Nashville is part love letter, reminisce, and ode to the city and marriage that he left behind. While Josh Rouse’s personal life may have taken a down turn, Nashville is the phoenix that rises up out of it.

The Chronicle gives ´Nashville´, by Josh Rouse five out of five stars.