Rogue Wave
“Out of the Shadow”
(SubPop)
Floating through the tunes on “Out of the Shadow” my index finger hovers flexed and quivering. I can’t quite pinpoint where I’ve heard these songs before. The decade and genre they evoke are 1960’s acoustic guitar based pop/folk rock, but to singer/songwriter Zach Rogue’s credit, I’m not able to put my finger on any one source (though the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel and even Squeeze come to mind). What makes “Out of the Shadow” so successful is Rogue’s ability to wear his musical influences on his sleeve, but the shirt has long arms and a multitude of intricate patterns. The déjà vu affect is also mitigated by twenty first century production and execution.
On the downside the lyrics can be obscure, which tends to foster a slight disengagement, for example, “When the falcon settles me/Then I know I’m right,” and “In this postage stamp world/You can all get in line/And lick my behind/Because my brains been split open for too long/I decline.” Yet, any detachment is fleeting since the songs are short and snappy with unusual instrumentation that adds a nice level of depth. Overall “Out of the Shadow” is an enjoyable listen that seeps deeper into the membrane with each additional spin.
