Search - Josh Rouse, Kurt Wagner :: Chester

Chester is a good match

04/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This EP is a rare find. By joining forces with Lambchop's Kurt Wagner, solo artist Josh Rouse becomes part of an alt-country dynamic duo. Both men are talented musicians who understand that music is about making concept albums (Lambchop), intentionally writing lyrics that take a couple hears to understand (JR) and skillfully layering the tracks to complement this rare combination of a gifted lyricist and a man who is a master of melodies and tastes of pop life. While the lyrics are insightful, the music is infectious and beautiful. Chester is a Slow River Records release, Josh's label that also hosts Sparklehorse and Vic Chestnut. Josh and Kurt are helped also by David Henry (in Josh's band and an occasional moonlighter with Hoboken greats, Yo La Tengo), who lends credability to the cello in the local rock scene. Chester is in good company. It has been recognized by critics and hailed by Josh's fans and Lambchop's fans. It was recently nominated for Independent Record of the Year at the Nashville Music Awards -- a good list to pay attention to if your local radio station is just not passing muster. A five-song mini-masterpiece."

Rouse's melodicism frames Wagner's lyrics perfectly

11/21/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Josh Rouse's plaintive, expressive vocals and memorable melody writing give Kurt Wagner's slightly hallucinatory lyrics just the right setting - more than ever before. An ideal collaboration, with the balance between them most effective. I'm leaving one star off because it's too short; finish it and get the last star!"