I’ve never been able to fully commit myself to liking Rogue Wave, probably because they’ve never been able to commit themselves to a sound or cohesive idea of what the band really is.
On indie record label Sub Pop, the band always sounded just a little too much like label partners the Shins with their softer, folksy tunes and higher-energy, electronically-aided peppy numbers. Now, seems like the band might be making a shot at the majors, care of surfer-cum-troubadour Jack Johnson’s label Brushfire Records.
It’s not all bad, to be honest. In terms of straight-up pop rock, Permalight is quite catchy, if not a hint on the simple side, and is downright perfect to soundtrack, say, your day at the beach. With its upbeat acoustic guitar strums and simple, straight-for-the-throat hooks, it occupies a space in the musical spectrum from which a song can grab your attention without one having to pay it any.
Problem is, once you’re paying attention, the hook is over. Nearly all of the songs on Permalight are centred around the repetition of the same hooks, which make even short, sweet tracks like the two-and-a-half-minute “Per Anger” and the three-minute title track seem much longer than they are.
The album’s only sophistication derives from its clean, spacious production, which gives the band an air of stylishness not dissimilar to that of pep-rock peers Vampire Weekend.
So yeah, Permalight might make for some fun background tunes, but once your friends leave? It’s time to change the disc.
Nice album cover, though...
