Grand Romantic

Grand Romantic is a fittingly grandiose, occasionally silly, passionately effusive, and ultimately very catchy album.

Fun. co-producers Jeff Bhasker and Emile Haynie help Ruess create richly orchestrated bombast with the right amount of sonic wanderlust.

Grand Romantic isn’t going to be for everyone. But if you happen to thrill at the twinkling eclecticism of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds or get misty-eyed when Freddie Mercury soars above his backing choir on “Somebody to Love,” then you’ll likely follow Ruess at least part of the way on this hopelessly earnest, grandiosely romantic excursion.

Grand Romantic has some moments more danceable than dour.

While the album is often an enjoyable listen, it is difficult not to wonder what the collective talents of Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff of fun., or even the talents of a Sam Means of The Format, could’ve yielded to Grand Romantic’s songwriting.

It shows how Ruess might succeed on his own as a good-hearted Midwestern boy--not quite a star, but someone capable of appreciating their light.

Grand Romantic often feels so preoccupied with grandiose gestures that it loses sight of the little details that in the past have made Ruess’ music so memorable.

Ruess’ songs are a puzzle: They contain no memorable lines but the arrangements act as if they do.