Rogue Wave

Rogue Wave is more or less a one-man project from Zach Rogue, previously a member of San Francisco’s Desoto Reds. It started off as a simple side project, but metamorphosed into a full-time gig along the way. But based on Rogue Wave’s debut recording, it turns out that going out on his own could very well turn out to be the best move in his musical career. Out of the Shadow is the kind of album that is very easy to overlook. Initially, it is very, very easy to write it off as the work of just another Elliott Smith wannabe or accomplished singer/songwriter that hasn’t quite found his voice. It is only through repeated listens that the quiet nuances begin to reveal themselves and the album’s greatness finally begins to appear. The songs have rich arrangements that build upon the acoustic guitar backbone that keeps everything upright — it never sounds cluttered though and most importantly, the delicate multi-layered harmonies soar above it all. A very impressive debut, and with a new five-track EP appearing soon, it might be that the best is yet to come.