Rogue Wave
Asleep At Heaven's Gate
Release Date: Sep 18, 2007
Genre(s): Indie, Rock
Record label: Brushfire
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Album Review: Asleep At Heaven's Gate by Rogue Wave
Average, Based on 2 Critics
Based on rating 5.0/10
Band: http://www.roguewavemusic.com Label: http://www.brushfirerecords.com Audio: http://www.myspace.com/roguewave Review by Brian Reid.
Opinion: Fantastic
The difference between Rogue Wave's third LP and their second, 2005's Descended Like Vultures (Sub Pop), is clear from the first note of the opening track, "Harmonium." Where earlier "Bird on a Wire" swooped and swayed melodically, the Asleep at Heaven's Gate kick-off starts out with an allegro-paced drum solo and a long instrumental introduction that sets a tone for the entire album. The Oakland quartet, now on Jack Johnson's Brushfire imprint, has a greater sense of urgency, sharper edges, and a more mature sound overall. And yet, tunes like "Chicago x 12" and "Christians in Black" remain relentlessly pretty, while the opening strains of "Own Your Own Home" embrace the ugly, occasional discordances of life.