Music of the 2000's: Rogue Wave

For all of '09, DJdc will be featuring songs, artists or albums that we liked, loved, hated or feel had a broad impact.

While we have our on opinions, we'd rather have yours. Your input may lead to use in a future DJdc article ...

Rogue Wave - Out of the Shadow (2004)

I'll be honest, when I set out on my own personal chronicle of the music of this decade, I didn't do so thinking that I'd write about Rogue Wave. But the whole reason I wanted to do it was to feature bands like Rogue Wave.

In 2004, Rogue Wave released their first album, Out of the Shadow. I don't remember buying it, but more than likely it was on one of my Amazon binges (I checked, it was) when I'd order bunches of CDs by bands I hadn't hear of in hopes of finding a few gems. Likewise, I don't remember putting this CD in my car after getting it. But I do remember that it stayed in my changer for quite a while.

So a few weeks ago, when I began going through CDs looking for something to play, I grabbed Out of the Shadow. It had been several years since I last listened to the album and figured this whole chronicle thing I was doing was a good reason to pop it in my trusty 15 year-old CD player. Two songs in I was reminded why I've spent thousands of hard-earned dollars in CDs/Records/Tapes/etc. - to remember, to recall and to refresh.

Out of the Shadow is a marvelous debut album from the Oakland-based band. Wonderful lyrics with a number of memorable lines like, "if music was my lover, you are just a tease" and, "in this postage stamp world, you can get in line, and lick my behind" are a credit to the band's founder and songwriter Zach Schwartz (aka Zach Rogue). More than a few kitschy lyrics, the album is beautifully melodic, with a minimal production value that holds up well five years after its release. As a matter of fact, their sound compares nicely to DeVotchka and Fleet Foxes.

Songs of note from the album include, "Postage Stamp World", "Kicking the Heart Out" and "Every Moment". With only five of the 12 album tracks longer than three minutes, it is a complete album that only takes about 35 minutes to listen to in its entirety.

Out of the Shadow belies the problem of any retrospective; for every album that deserves more praise and recognition, there are a dozen more that are overlooked and under-appreciated.

Recommended if you like:
The Shins, DeVotchka, Fleet Foxes

In all honestly ...

I happened to see Rogue Wave on their tour supporting Out of the Shadow back in '04. I went to see them at the small Atlanta club called the Drunken Unicorn for a mid-week show. I was excited to see them, because I thought the album was fantastic. I don't think I've ever been more disappointed with seeing a band live than I was with Rogue Wave. Not only was their live performance more neo-hippie/jam band that I cared for, they played a number of songs that they had just written and seemed ill-prepared to play live - especially on their first tour to support their debut album. I ended up leaving before their set was finished - something I never did - because I was so disappointed with the show.