Rogue Wave Descended Like Vultures CD

On its second Sub Pop album, DESCENDED LIKE VULTURES, the San Francisco quartet Rogue Wave makes a notable departure from its debut, OUT OF THE SHADOW. While the earlier disc has an airy, lo-fi sound that's enhanced by subtle electronics, much of VULTURES is amped-up indie-rock bolstered by dense arrangements. "Publish My Love" features alternately chiming and driving surges of guitars, while "10:1" careens along on layered keyboard lines and a propulsive beat. Frontman Zach Rogue often sounds like a less troubled younger brother of Elliott Smith, particularly on the record's mellower moments, including the folk-tinged "California" and the dreamy "You." Although Rogue Wave fans may initially be perplexed by VULTURES, the album reveals a more ambitious aspect of the band, and repeated listens reveal its many charms.

Audio Mixers: Zach Rogue; Bill Racine; Patrick Spurgeon; John Goodmanson.

Recording information: Sound Wave Studios, Oakland, CA (02/2005-03/2005); Supernatural Sound, Oregon City, OR (02/2005-03/2005); Tarbox Road Studio, Fredonia, NY (02/2005-03/2005).

Rogue Wave: Pat Spurgeon (vocals, electric guitar, autoharp, accordion, piano, organ, Hammond b-3 organ, pump organ, glockenspiel, xylophone, upright bass, drums, cymbals, tambourine, percussion, chimes); Gene Park (viola); Evan Farrell (Wurlitzer piano, bass instrument); Gram Lebron (Wurlitzer piano); Zach Rogue (Hammond b-3 organ, bass instrument); Bill Racine (Hammond b-3 organ); Aerielle Levy.

Personnel: Zach Rogue (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, pump organ, Wurlitzer organ, synthesizer, percussion); Evan Farrell (vocals, guitar, electric guitar, lap steel guitar, piano, Wurlitzer organ, percussion); Patrick Spurgeon (vocals, guitar, electric guitar, autoharp, accordion, piano, organ, pump organ, glockenspiel, xylophone, upright bass, drums, bass drum, cymbals, tambourine, percussion, chimes); Gram Lebron (vocals, guitar, electric guitar, Fender Rhodes piano, Wurlitzer organ, vibraphone, drums, percussion); Bill Racine (guitar, trumpet, drum programming); Gene Park (viola); Aerielle Levy (cello).

Entertainment Weekly (No. 847, p.87) - "...Rogue Wave update '60s British pop for blog-era tastes...." - Grade: A-
Mojo (Publisher) (p.116) - 3 stars out of 5 - "When it works, the dreampop candyfloss strengthens the melodies and deepens the pathos of their singer's worldly-wise songwriting....It's sweet and vivid..."