Rogue Wave

Descended Like Vultures

(Sub Pop)

Record Review by Daniel Brody

Forget all you know about the sounds of the sixties with its psychedelic feedback hippie noise made by free-loving, drug-abusing war protesters.  That story doesn't seem to fit the kids anymore; judging by the success of harmonizing emotional basket cases like Death Cab For Shins, the kings of sixties rock were apparently Simon and Garfunkel and whoever shows up on a Wes Anderson soundtrack. 

Rogue Wave debuted about two years with the low-fi indie folk of Out of the Shadow.  Featuring Zach Rogue's wispy vocals and plenty of gentle acoustic strumming, the delicate album seemed on the verge of blowing away with a gust of autumn wind.  The new album features much shinier production and the presence of the full band Rogue formed for a tour.  If Out of the Shadow tried to seduce with a whisper, Descended Like Vultures sounds like a Casanova with a much tighter game and snappier pickup lines.  “Publish My Love,” the best song on the album, features icy smooth synths, whirly sound effects, and crisp drum crashes.  It could pass for a Coldplay song—except its lyrics are better.  Other tracks, like “California,” opt for a quieter approach centered around a single acoustic guitar.  Either way, the beefier production values sound good because the band knows how to use them in a classy way.  No hip-hop beats or vocoders, just good, tight arrangements and clear, shimmering sound. 

Since most of the coolest sixties boomers all eventually sold out anyway, it probably makes sense that the timeless sounds of ringing guitars and sweet voices won out in the end musically.  It is difficult to argue with an album as well-crafted as Descended Like Vultures, and it will fit snugly next to your complete Zombies discography.