The Rousers – Touched (LP + 7") / The Thought
"Touched" by the Utrecht-based band The Rousers stands as one of the finest, yet criminally overlooked artifacts of the 1981 Dutch powerpop and new wave explosion. Following their lightning-fast 1980 debut A Treat of New Beat, this sophomore record captured a band undergoing a rapid sonic evolution.
The lineup had shunk to a core trio after the departure of guitarist Bonne Zigtema, leaving his brother Wieb Zigtema (vocals/bass) and Cock de Jong (vocals/guitar) to reshape the band's identity alongside drummer Theo Bols. This shift in internal chemistry naturally bled into the studio, morphing their sound from frantic, Ramones-esque punk-pop into a much more layered, atmospheric, and melancholic post-punk experience.
The main LP kicks off with "Face Towards The Wall," immediately signaling this stylistic transition. It hooks the listener with a tense, driving bassline and sharp, angular guitar riffs that feel indebted to bands like The Jam or Wire. The nervous energy of the era—fueled by the anxieties of the Cold War and economic recession—vibrates through tracks like "No Life Without Fear," showing a darker, more paranoid lyrical depth than their earlier material.
Yet, The Rousers never lost their innate knack for infectious melodies and tongue-in-cheek lyricism. This is brilliantly displayed on the powerpop anthem "My Girlfriends Mother," a catchy track brimming with youthful wit. They wrap up the main album experience with a fierce, high-octane cover of The Kinks’ "I’m Not Like Everybody Else," aggressively reclaiming the song and injecting it with raw, Dutch underground adrenaline.
For vinyl collectors, however, the true magic of this release is realized when you find a copy that still contains the rare, bonus 7-inch single. Kept in a custom inner sleeve, these extra tracks bridge the gap between their older rammshackle punk roots and their newer wave direction. The single fires off with "The Jump," a frantic, up-tempo track propelled by a pulsing bassline that practically demands movement.
It is followed by "Life Can Be Cruel," a beautifully melodic yet biting new wave track where the vocal harmonies between Wieb and Cock truly shine. The bonus disc closes out with "Waitin’," a raw, sweaty, fast-paced rocker designed for packed club stages. Taken as a complete package, Touched is a stellar narrative of growth, proving that The Rousers were capable of incredible musical depth without losing a single ounce of their original powerpop edge.
Free Single
C1 The Jump 1:56
C2 Life Can Be Cruel 2:29
D1 Waitin' 2:38
D2 Maggie 2:29
Label: Ariola – 203.205
Country: Netherlands
Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Sleeve Condition: Near Mint (NM or M-)
Plays great but has some superficial hairlines. Original innersleeve included. Bonus 7" has some superficial marks. Back sleeve very slighty ring wear at the top.