A BURGEONING talent, Rouse surprised almost everyone with one of the albums of last year, titled 1972.
Its retro chic showcased Rouse's perceptive songs, but clothed them in a more accessible garb. Rarities, released as part of a DVD live concert of 1972, is a pause in his development, a cache of b-sides and demos.
The bars of the world are full of earnest young men quietly musing, and these demos do little to show this songwriter's class. The material is average, a step back after his recent creative evolution. It is mostly simple, strummed and half sung. There are some attractive moments such as Me Gusta Dormir, but the overall feel is glum - which will be sobering to fans in the thrall of 1972's good-time vibe. Good value with the DVD (which also demonstrates Rouse's amazing shape-changing ability), but little charm of its own.
Updated: 08:54 Thursday, July 29, 2004
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