Rogue Wave"Out of the Shadow" (Subpop) Indie-pop outfit, Rogue Wave, should consider themselves lucky. Ever since the Subpop label re-released their overlooked debut, Out of the Shadow, the gushing reviews keep pouring forth. Critics compare them to everyone from the Beach Boys to Elliot Smith. That's a stretch, even though writer/vocalist Zach Rogue's hook-laden arrangements have enough sweet and bittersweet to warrant such descriptions. Aural embellishments (synths, chimes, harmonica) hover in the periphery, but take away the filigree and each track could stand on its own with acoustic guitar and Rogue's brittle alto. "I'm inspired by things that upset her," he sings on the opener, "Every Moment." "This is how men are measured." Rogue's voice and compositions can be more accurately compared with the sound of bands like Death Cab for Cutie or the Shins, with whom they've just finished touring. Let's hope their next tour is in Japan. Then we can consider ourselves lucky, as well.
