The fourth LP from California rockers Rogue Wave comes on the heels of darkened and dramatic circumstances — sadly, nothing new for a band that’s dealt with the tragic death of a bandmate, serious health issues for others. This time out the suffering was as personal as possible for Zach Rogue, who found himself immobilized and bed-ridden after a freak back accident which took months to heal. While recovering and regaining use of his limbs, he told drummer Pat Spurgeon he “wanted to make a dance record,” and elaborated to Jessica in a Progress Report that Permalight was about “physical music, about the visceral experience of hearing music and letting your body move to it.” We’re told the album shifts shapes from track to track, but its first listen, “Good Morning,” is in line with that mission to celebrate bodily movement on a guitar rocker that burrows its keyboards and beats a few feet from the club.
Permalight is out 3/2 via Brushfire. It’s the band’s first album to have recording sessions away from their Oakland base, logging time at Sweet Tea Studios in Oxford, Mississippi with producer Dennis Herring. Here’s hoping for more Mr. Showy videos.
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I’ve been a big Rogue Wave fan since 2004, but I’m not feeling this upon first listen. It sounds like a bad imitation of Ben Gibbard.
Although not as bad and as obvious as Owl City, I suppose, so I’ll give them that.
Awesome song, though not my favorite from the record which I’m otherwise super super excited about. Definitely Rogue Wave’s strong return in my opinion! Can’t wait for people to hear the full thing!
ewwwwww. i like their acoustic stuff (like “man-revolutionary”), but man, this is unbearable.
This is really really bad… I used to really like these guys but holy cow this is just embarrassingly awful. It sounds like a band consciously trying to make a hit song and losing itself in the process… Overproduced and soulless.
also recorded at sweet tea in oxford: MPP.
I am a huge Rogue Wave fan and despite how much I love their accoustic stuff, man-revolutionary, california, endgame and all that. But I welcome the changes they made with Asleep At Heaven’s Gate, and after all the tragedy that befell them, I’m just glad they are making music at all. I would listen to anything they make, but I have to say, I love this single, it’s noisey and loud, but it manages to be infectious without being super poppy. I am so excited for Permalight, moreso than any other album now.
Rogue Wave should be ashamed of this release. I bet they use the Chicago city skyline with frozen lake forefront as their album cover. Subtract emo star. Add flock of vultures.
let’s make a dance record because i was paralyzed, duh
Loved their indie stuff as well as “Asleep At Heaven’s Gate” and love this new track. Nice to see them branching off and growing. Why are so many people against bands changing things up? Get over your lame selves and learn to appreciate new avenues….Sidenote… what’s with all the Ben Gibbard comparisons in every comments section? You’d think that weak ass was God here at Stereogum
Wow. Sounds a ton like Ben Gibbard. Nothing like the other songs I’ve heard from them.
i don’t hear any b. gibbard; mr. rogue’s consonant-slurring style of singing is still there, and it’s nothing like gibbard (or a. young, for that matter).
We need to stop comparing everything to Ben Gibbard. It’s only on our minds because of this Owl City discussion. This could just as easily be called a Killers ripoff (possibly a lot more acurately too).
My problem with this song is the inane lyrics. I cringed at the faux-clever lyric “The Future isn’t what it used to be”, the first time it came around. And then they just kept repeating it… I could have brushed it under the carpet, but you can’t ignore it when it’s so prominently put forward in the song. The rest of the lyrics are nearly as bad though. Frankly, I still like Rogue Wave enough to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one.
At first listen, I despised this song. Now I’m a few listens in, and it’s ridiculously catchy. It’s still not in the league of the first half of “Asleep at Heaven’s Gate”, though.
Rogue Wave has lost it.
Why exploit the unfortunate death of their previous bass player as one of the “many tragedies” that has plagued this band therefore we should give a shit about this album much less this song? They fired Evan. While his death might have affected them after the fact, they clearly didn’t give much of a shit to dismiss him at the time for whatever reason. Shame on them for using this sad incident as a bullet point for their press release or one sheet and/or shame on Stereogum for bringing it up as a “poor Rogue Wave–let’s feel sorry for them by promoting this souless bland song.
Evan wasn’t fired, he left the band to spend more time with his wife and little kids, a good reason, and one that everyone in the band respected. He and the band were still great friends after he left the band, and on the night of the fire that caused his death, Gram was on the same house. When he died a few days later, Rogue Wave didn’t lose a bass player, they lost a friend. I’m sure they gave a shit.
Owl Wave. Let’s get Beyonce in on this too….
Zach Schwartz wishes he was Ben Gibbard. After hearing this song, he wishes he was in the same ballpark as dude from Owl City.
I like this song. A toe-tapper. After a couple of listens its already stuck in my head. I especially like the erie dissonant “the future” like its being sung by the Adams Family.
One of the aspects I like about Rogue Wave is each album has its own feel/style. This song gives promise of that. I can’t wait to hear more.
they didn’t fire him, first off. and just because a person leaves a band doesn’t mean the care and fondness between those involved leaves as well. you don’t know what you’re talking about. stick to the music, man, you don’t know these people.
I think the song’s pretty good. Not sure where all this hate’s coming from.
why follow so many trends, man? it’s seems like this band is trying to figure out the formula for a good album (dance album, postal service-ish vocals and beats, recording at sweet tea studios ie mmp). That IS NOT the formula to making a good album. Forge your own path guys.
I’m with those who say it’s grown on them after a couple listens. Love the the crazy guitar sound and the wacked out vocal sounds in the end for sure. And it’s absolutely addicting after a bit. That said, it’s not my favorite from the album. Rogue Wave fans hoping for more of that acoustic balladry and beautifulness we all love about them shouldn’t be afraid because this song is pretty different than the rest of the album! Excited for you guys to post some more tracks :D
no.
I kinda like it…but I don’t hear Ben Gibbard at all…sounds more like something Of Montreal might do. Sour grapes are from peeps that wanted the same old sound from a band they like(d), which is nothing new.
I love this band, Zach is a great song writer and the rest of the band is equally talented. I bet this song is going to have people sh!ting themselves when they play it live. Rogue Wave still puts on an awesome show, worth seeing every time.
well. hm. I guess they’re entitled to a happy synthy pop song. It does sound like Postal Service or Death Cab. hm. Gives me the same feeling I had when I heard the latest Rilo Kiley. That, “man, they used to rock!” feeling.
I am not hearing the gibbard thing, killers may be more apt. I really like it the more that I listen to it. What is the story with Evan leaving? Or Gram? How come there is no info about these things?
Hey Krull,
I knew Evan and I can tell you that at least from his perspective he had been fired. I’m sure the guys in Rogue Wave felt bad when Evan passed away as any reasonably compassionate person whould or would. What I don’t know is whether Rogue Wave is capitalizing on the tragedy by including it in their bio or press releases. It could be that Stereogum is just connecting the stories on their own. So hey Stereogum, maybe you could share the official bio and press release with the rest of us so we can see what in fact Rogue Wave is actually guilty of…
They fired both of them and their original bassist as I recall. There seems to be something a little weird about the dynamic in this band. Hence only two members in the press photo…
Ben Gibbard is a fine musician, however Zach has his own sound. The comments concerninng Evan are unfounded (you should watch the movie D Tour) and finally this band is growing, as it should, and I like the new song.
WTF happened to Rogue Wave?
I am excited to dance to this and think it will be a good addition to their live set which has consistently been among the best I have witnessed.
What the heck is going on with this song?… Where are the 10:1 and Endless Shovel mp3s?! Need to click on them right away!
why is this song such a surprise to everyone? zach let everyone months ago that the new record was going to be much more dance influenced. so, yes, i assumed some synth was going to be in the new songs… granted its not the best song lyrically but it doesn’t sound like anything ben g. has produced. I’m excited to hear some amazing tracks from the upcoming album. kudos to zach for doing what he wants with his music!
I wanted to hate this song after the first 30 seconds, but I kept listening and I was tapping my toes by the end. I prefer the old RW sound, but I’ll definitely check out their new album when it drops.
I really really like the new song(: would love to see you guys if you come to Arizona.
It’s their logical next step:
Out of the Shadow was great.
Descended like Vultures was good.
Asleep at Heaven’s Gate was half-good.
This sounds like shit.
I miss the sound of their first two records :(
Boooooooo
.Love it.
OHHMYGAAAHH An electronic song that starts out with the word future.
so excited.
by the way, rogue wave–dare to be boring. (interpret at will)
I know the story of the new sound, so I appreciate it, I guess. Zach Rogue got slightly paralyzed for a while, realized that they’re previous records didn’t really make anyone move (dance) and so he sought to make movement.
They’re music will probably never sound like they’re previous records, or at least the guitars won’t. Zach had to change the way he plays guitar due to his injury.
90% of you posters are as pretentious as Pitchfork. Sigh.
There’s a mass delusion going on here that Ben Gibbard’s vocal style is original. I say he stole David Gates’ voice. Or maybe Leo Sayer.Or Sufjan Stevens. Whatever. I like this song.
Wow – first the new Midlake album blows and now this? What a terrible start to 2010 for music.
This song is OK but the production kills it. I know Zach Rogue was paralyzed but couldn’t someone stop at Guitar Center for him to pick up a drum machine that doesn’t suck?
I’ve had a chance to preview the entire album and it is great. Good Morning is really the only song that I would consider to be a “dance” track — and iI’m not sure I could even say that with a straight face. Songs like “Sleepwalker”, “Solitary Gun” and “We Will Make a Song Destroy” will satisfy even the most hardcore fan and you’ll find yourself liking the “dance” track more and more with each listen. Solid Album — 4/5 stars