I haven't gotten into an album as much I did with Rogue Wave's in a long time. I saw these guys open for the shins about a month ago and was blown away. Some of it can be compared to the shins, some other parts sound a bit like elliot smith or simon and garfunkle. it may take a few listens to get into it, but after a few listens, you wont be able to stop.

I was actually quite suprised with this album. I was expecting some ho-hum tracks and forgettable melodieds, but this actually a very well done, and actually pretty album. It is very soothing to listen to, and does not drag in any parts. Perhaps it is the vocals that reel me in, the harmonization is wonderful. The tracks all have very different tones, and they are carried through very well.

Very, very good.

A friend of mine introduced me to Rogue Wave after following Rogue Wave, the Glands and the Shins to two different area concerts. He came back with the Rogue Wave CD and an upbeat review, saying that they put on an excellent show.

What I like about Rogue Wave... it is fresh. Sure, I hear the retro-ish, upbeat feel of the Shins when I put on Rogue Wave, I hear other influences too. But I can't not appreciate the cleverness, and togetherness of Out of the Shadow. Rogue has pretty smart lyrics, great acoustics, an all-together great sound. If you're looking for something, light and semi-sweet/sad, it is a great album.

Rogue Wave has done an excellent job of taking the newer retro on the edge sound and turning into their own great music. I'd buy the album if I was looking for something new, something hip, something good.

I got a copy at the same time I listened to the Shins debut and now I always listen to it right after I've listened to the Shins.

Very good record although it misses the sort of consistency in character (the overall mood) of the Shins debut record.

Out of the Shadow is very varied, but I don't think of it as a shortcoming.

It are catchy 60's songs, most of them very Beatles, some Simon & Garfunkel, not knowing where to compare it with really, but I certainly do not hear that much familiarity with The New Pornographers and Eliot Smith.

The vocals, however, sound at times almost identical to John Lennon's ("Kicking the Heart out" for instance), so a Beatles reference isn't that stupid after all.

It isn't a lo-fi album and therefore it will not appeal to alternative music lovers who judge music by the sound rather than the music itself: if it sounds too good then it isn't indie enough. (I'm serious, there are many people who listen to music like that - the opposite of people who are insulted by bad sounding records)

I like the sound a lot, it isn't too polished or over-produced as many mega acts, but far better sounding than the average lo-fi artist.

Some personal favorites: "Be Kind + Rewind", "Sewn Up" and "Kicking the Heart Out"

One of the best albums in recent years, a must-have for Shins lovers.

I came across Zach Rogue and his Craiglist-found band members through the usual friend of a friend hookup. I'm so glad I did. This album has been my favorite 37 minutes of music of 2004 by a long shot. Some might fault the lo-fi production values, and the fact that the lyrics are somewhat difficult to understand because of that rawness. But to me, that's what sells it. It gives the album heart. And it's why the band sounds so good live.