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The  Happiness Waltz Image
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: Brad Jones returns to produce the singer-songwriter's tenth studio release recorded in Spain.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Easily one of his strongest releases to date, if not his best, The Happiness Waltz is the very reason why musical history should have a small chapter for this criminally overlooked songwriter.
  2. Apr 11, 2013
    80
    The Happiness Waltz is a big contender for Rouse’s best work, though fans will always point to varying favorites.
  3. May 29, 2013
    80
    The music appears deceptively simple and unabashedly blithe at times, but regardless, the emotional undercurrent clearly comes through.
  4. Mar 12, 2013
    70
    What keeps it from the top is the lack of musical surprises. Still, these twelve songs will keep you warm as winter turns to spring.
  5. Mar 13, 2013
    67
    The album tips overly saccharine at nearly every turn, but the arrangements are tight and polished, with swelling, lush choruses and grooving AM-radio bridges.
  6. Mojo
    Mar 12, 2013
    60
    At best the new songs are bright, '70s soulful confections but too much will give you toothache. [Apr 2013, p.98]
  7. Q Magazine
    Apr 10, 2013
    60
    The melodies running through City People, City Things and Julie, with their hints of Paul Simon at his most wistful, are the measure of anything from Rouse's 2002 purple patch. The rest is charming if sometimes sugar-sweet and a little too inoffensive. [May 2013, p.109]

See all 12 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Mar 10, 2014
    8
    It´s more of the same, and since it´s Josh we´re talking about... More of the same it´s always good, really good.
    It is once again a great
    It´s more of the same, and since it´s Josh we´re talking about... More of the same it´s always good, really good.
    It is once again a great work coming from a great songwriter.
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