So the new Josh Rouse album comes out next week, and I find myself going back to some of his older albums, catching the easygoing vibe all over again.  I’ve somehow, somewhere lost my copy of Under Cold Blue Stars (which is the album after the one this song is on, but is my favorite of his), and that’s making my personal listening party a little bit incomplete.  I’ll have to repurchase it.

This is one of my favorite Josh Rouse tracks; it’s been repeating itself on my iTunes, making what will probably be a stressful week a little bit easier.  It’s quiet and pretty, and reminds me of a late summer evening with the windows open, a light rain just starting to fall.  But, when I look outside my own window, it looks like that type of weather may never come again.  I’ll keep holding out hope.

Josh Rouse – Parts and Accessories (mp3) from Home

Today we continue our look at some of our favorite EPs from the past year; we’ve got one more of these set for tomorrow as well.

Animal Collective – Fall Be Kind

As if 2009 wasn’t busy enough for AnCo, their Fall Be Kind EP was released at the end of November.  (The EP, interestingly, contains the first licensed sample of The Grateful Dead on “What Would I Want? Sky.”)  It’s signature Animal Collective – space-y, psychedelic rock that’s cementing them a place at laser light shows across the nation twenty years from now when our kids are getting stoned.

Animal Collective – What Would I Want? Sky (mp3) from Fall Be Kind EP EP

Death Cab for Cutie – The Open Door

Since their move away from Barsuk, reviews of Death Cab’s material has gone steadily downward.  It may just be coincidental, but the indie goodwill they’d built up prior seems to have been waning.  With The Open Door, the band released a few of the tracks from the Narrow Stairs sessions.  A little less produced and polished than what ended up making the cut for that album, the songs sound much better.

Death Cab for Cutie – My Mirror Speaks (mp3) from The Open Door EP

Josh Rouse – Valencia

After a quiet couple of years, Josh Rouse took the unconventional route with his recent Valencia EP.  Comprised of the leftovers from his forthcoming LP, Valencia is an excellent pre-cursor to what should be an excellent album.  It’s upbeat, influenced by his current residency in Spain, and warms up the long winter nights with hints of the impending spring.

Josh Rouse – Easy Street (mp3) from Valencia EP

My apologies for putting up another post without the song file attached.  I’ve been kind of sick the past couple of days, so my head’s in a fog.  I promise to be more attentive from now on.  Let’s get into it:

It’s been a while since Josh Rouse released a proper album.  He’s stayed quiet on the full-length front since 2007’s Country Mouse, City House, releasing a couple EPs through his label, Bedroom Classics, and he’s also been keeping up a cool rarities thing on his website where he releases something the first of each month.  (That looks to be down now, however, through the end of the year.)

This coming Tuesday he’s releasing a new EP entitled Valencia before his new album, El Turista, which is set for release in February 2010.  From what I can gather, these will be tracks that missed the cut for the new album, but don’t take that as gospel.

“Magdalena” has an Ocean’s 11/12/13 soundtrack type of musical vibe to it.  It’s a dance-y, sexy number that seems influenced by Josh’s current residency in Spain.  Let me put things in quick perspective: if this is what missed the cut, El Turista is going to be something to look forward to.

Josh Rouse – Magdalena (mp3) from the forthcoming Valencia EP