‘The Happiness Waltz’ is JOSH ROUSE'S tenth studio album. It’s been fifteen years since his first album release, but this album is different, being an intensely personal reflection on his experiences both as a father and husband.
There are twelve tracks on the album, all falling within the realms of country-tinged pop, which marks a return to Josh’s earlier musical roots. What makes this album, though, is the attitude behind it. Every track is upbeat and almost joyous. OK, there’s no grunge, no angst and no bitterness, but for once it’s refreshing to find an album that really celebrates the simple things in life like the family, and hearing this made me realise that most of us take so much for granted, instead of once in a while just stopping to appreciate exactly what we've got.
Tracks like ‘It’s Good to Have You’ set the benchmark for some laid back easy listening with some decent lyrics that are easy to relate to: -“Wake up in the morning I fall back to sleep. Think I'm gonna stay in bed till tonight/ Lately all I care about is you and me, Oh oh, and the future didn't look so bright/ Oh oh, if it's good to have you in my life.”
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‘Start a Family’ is another of those happiness songs, and reflects Josh’s musings on his life and relationship. Once again, it is the lyrics that make this a song to smile along to: - “It happened all, so suddenly, moved to a place on Henry Street/With beautiful view and a garden, working on my masterpiece/ One of these days I get some sleep/ She's picking out the curtains/ My hair has turned to grey, but it doesn't matter anyway.”
I confess I hadn't heard any of Josh’s earlier work, but what impressed me was his ability to lay his soul bare in his lyrics, without any embarrassment or any mawkishness, and as a result he has crafted a fine album, one that should certainly do well this summer. All the songs are positive, the sound quality is excellent and it’s very easy to find yourself unconsciously singing or humming along to this. ‘The Happiness Waltz’? Yes, most definitely.
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