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  • Release Date:
El Turista Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 18 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest album for the Nebraska-born singer-songwriter features a track released on his Valencia EP.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. On his latest, El Turista, Rouse takes things a step further, diving headfirst into jazzy, lushly orchestrated, early-’60s-indebted Spanish-language tunes that play like a cross between Astrud Gilberto’s bossa-nova classics and Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas.
  2. Most of the songs on El Turista look to home and away as places and times of reassurance and comfort.
  3. Mojo
    80
    The sweetness of its sun-kissed textures and playful melodies mark out El Turista as his best work since 2005's near flawless "Nashville." [Apr 2010, p.98]
  4. The result is a globe-trotting pop album that sounds like nothing he's attempted before, yet still retains enough of his signature arrangements to make Rouse’s multi-ethnic transformation a believable one.
  5. 62
    This is merely alright, but it will surely need to burn slower to penetrate the heart.
  6. It also, sadly, carries on Rouse’s newfound emphasis on pleasant textures over passion and songcraft. Rouse never settles into any of these styles; he’s just breezing through.
  7. Under The Radar
    40
    There are a few winning moments here, but overall the disc can't hold a candle to 2007's "Country Mouse City House," let alone career highs such as "1972." [Winter 2010, p.70]
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 3
  2. Negative: 1 out of 3
  1. Jul 14, 2015
    10
    This is just a fun sounding album The sound ranges from very smooth and relaxing to upbeat and jolly to melancholy. This variation preventsThis is just a fun sounding album The sound ranges from very smooth and relaxing to upbeat and jolly to melancholy. This variation prevents the album from becoming stale or repetitive. There is a very organic vibe that arises from the backings and the soothing acoustic guitar. The Latin influences meld great with the traditional classical sound. I think the sound might be a little too niche for everyone, but for what it is it's perfect. Listing to this you will live on an island and chill under a lemon tree while watching the sunset. That might sound a little weird, but trust me; you will enjoy it if you give the sound a chance. The piano is ever so beautiful and puts its audience in a happy place every time. Josh Rouse manages to pull off a soft ballad version of Cotton Eye Joe. That alone makes the album worth listing. Whoever says this is garbage has clearly never listened to the album and should definitely check it out. Just sit back and relax with the sounds of a mix between Vince Guaraldi and Santana. Collapse
  2. Aug 6, 2011
    6
    Isn't his best album, and the songs aren't as memorable as they usually are with Rouse, but it's a welcome change of pace. Half of the albumIsn't his best album, and the songs aren't as memorable as they usually are with Rouse, but it's a welcome change of pace. Half of the album is in Spanish and it sounds beautiful. Expand
  3. JoshuaS.
    Apr 12, 2010
    0
    Absolute garbage!! some of the worst music ive ever heard, do not buy!