Review: Rogue Wave, Permalight

Rogue Wave

Permalight

C+ 

 

After hearing the early release of Rogue Wave’s new keyboard-heavy single, “Good Morning,” in January, I had what many music fans might call a “Huh?” moment.  Did this electro-beat track mark the beginning of a new direction for a band that can proudly point to three well-crafted, guitar-driven records in their catalogue? 

With the Rogue Wave’s new album, Permalight, lead singer Zach Rogue expressed that he wanted to focus on the “visceral experience of hearing music and letting your body move to it.”  Undoubtedly, Permalight is in large part the emergent product of Rogue’s health problems within the last two years, which included several anxiously immobile, bed-ridden months.  Permalight is thus a highly life-affirming album, trending more towards celebratory moments than the inquisitive frustration that had previously marked the band’s work. (more after the jump)

Review: Rogue Wave, "Good Morning (The Future)" (Single)

Rogue Wave

Single: "Good Morning (The Future)"

Rogue Wave’s new single, “Good Morning (The Future),” off their new album, “Permalight” (to be released in early March from Brushfire Records) is a distant cousin of their melodic strummings of the past. In fact, it bears no resemblance at all. It sheds Rogue Wave’s typical calm melodies in favor of a hectic Postal Service-esque electronic beat. It isn’t what Rogue Wave fans of the past would expect or want to see from the group. However, don’t dismiss the full album yet, as their past accomplishments in “Asleep At Heaven’s Gate” and “Descended Like Vultures” prove their musical merit worth exploring in “Permalight.” I, for one, will hold out hope that this single is a mere blemish on an otherwise well put together new album.

-- Andrew Glass