This year, Starbucks won't just celebrate Valentine's Day with strawberries 'n' cream frappuccinos and white-chocolate mochas. According to a recent press release, the coffee conglomerate approached "their favorite artists"—including Ben Gibbard, Katy Perry, M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel—and asked them to cover "a tune that's touched their hearts."
There's something satisfying about seeing two heavyweights slugging it out, something about the grandiloquence of conflict between two binary opposites writ large. Ali Vs. Frazier. The Celtics Vs. The Lakers. Obama Vs. Clinton. Abbott & Costello Vs. Frankenstein. This world of epic matchups is poised to add another brawl to its ranks: Odenkirk Vs. Rogue Wave. As previously reported, the ex-Mr. Show star and the alt-rock up-and-comers recently had a fake spat over Mr. Odenkirk's artistic vision for their "Chicago X 12" music video. Well, it looks like Rogue Wave has responded with a salvo of their own, leaving little in question about Odenkirk's mental state:
Bob Odenkirk is one of those rare gems in the sea of '90s comedy. Devotees of his and David Cross' Mr. Show fondly remember it as a high water mark for hilarity during its four-season run on HBO, before Mad TV made us regret loving sketch comedy. But that was then and this now. Odenkirk's pissed and he's not gonna take it anymore.
When Rogue Wave released Asleep at Heaven’s Gate last year, it did so with a little help from one of its friends. Said pal was Nada Surf lead vocalist/guitarist Matthew Caws, who was featured on the bands third album.
Now, the two indie-rock groups are teaming up again. Rogue Wave is about to set off with Nada Surf throughout Europe. After finishing up that trek, Rogue Wave will come back to the States for a series of shows throughout April, including the fun-in-the-sun musical experience that is Coachella.
In the meantime, you can get your Rogue Wave fix by checking out some new recordings the group did for Daytrotter.com during its fall tour by clicking here.
On a much sadder note, Rogue Wave recently experienced a great loss when its former bassist, Evan Farrell, died in a house fire accident. Our condolences go out to his family and all those who loved him. A PayPal fund has been set up in Ferrell’s memoriam.
Thanks to Andrew Greer for the tip!
Dates:
February
20 - Paris, France @ Showcase*
21 - London, United Kingdom @ Scala*
22 - Manchester, United Kingdom @Club Academy*
23 - Glasgow, United Kingdom @ Garage*
25 - Brussels, Belgium @ Botanique Orangie*
26 - Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg Max*
27 - Koln, Gremany @ Live Music Hall*
28 - Hamburg, Germany @ Gruenspan*
29 - Berlin, Germany @ Columbiaclub*
March
1 - Munich, Germany @ Backstage*
3 - Lausanne, Switzerland @ Salle Metropole*
4 - Zurich, Switzerland @ Roshotfflager*
5 - Milan, Italy @ Music Drone*
April
8 - Minneapolis, Minn. @ Fine Line Music Cafe
11 - Boston, Mass. @ Paradise Rock Club
12 - New York, N.Y. @ Irving Plaza
15 - Philadelphia, Pa. @ First Unitarian Church
18-19 - Chicago, Ill. @ Schubas Tavern
20 - St. Louis, Mo. @ The Gargoyle Club
22 - Boulder, Colo. @ Fox Theatre
25 - Indio, Calif. @ Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
May
3 - San Francisco, Calif. @ The Fillmore
* w/ Nada Surf
Related links:
RogueWaveMusic.com
NadaSurf.com
Paste: Rogue Wave: Descended Like Vultures
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Last year was a bit chaotic for Rogue Wave. The drummer had a kidney transplant, the keyboardist lost his father, the singer had a new bouncing baby girl and the band roped in a new bass player.
But the band kept its marbles intact and recorded its third full-length album, Asleep at Heaven’s Gate, scheduled to swoop in September 18. Produced by Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Sleater Kinney, Elvis Costello) with Zach Rogue, the album also features John Vanderslice and Nada Surf’s Matthew Caws.
Rogue Wave formed five years ago when Rogue self-recorded his debut Out of the Shadow, later enlisting a full band and releasing 2005's acclaimed Descended Like Vultures.
Related links:
RogueWaveMusic.com
Rogue Wave on MySpace
Paste Blog: Sweet Talk on Heaven's Gate
Got news tips for Paste? Email news@pastemagazine.com.
Whistles + bells = a bit more than last time
Soft and sunny, bright and buzzy, Rogue Wave stitches together plenty crowd-pleasing ingredients, from hairpin turns reminiscent of The Shins to vocal harmonies worthy of CSN&Y. A trickier feat—never quite accomplished on 2004’s Out Of The Shadow—entails making those parts function as a warmly inviting whole. For all its efforts to dazzle, Rogue Wave’s music rarely engages the emotions the way it ought to.
On Descended Like Vultures, the outlook improves, particularly early on. “Catform” and “Publish My Love” positively sparkle, while the oddly jaunty “Bird On A Wire” opens the disc on a disarming note. The album peters out in its second half, and frontman Zach Rogue still has a way of writing music that sounds great without meaning a whole lot. But Descended Like Vultures does, in fact, sound great, and that’s no small accomplishment.
For the latest feel-good hits of the summer, look toward San Francisco indie-poppers Rogue Wave. Although this debut album was originally released in 2003, it’s fair to assume that few have actually heard the captivating Out of the Shadow due to it’s irritating lack of availability. Now that the album is being re-released on Sub Pop, former desoto red, Zach Rogue—armed with his killer singing and songwriting—is sure to be breaking and mending many hearts.
With just a taste of sweet, acoustic guitar nestling up to charming harmonies on tunes like “Be Kind & Remind” and “Kicking the Heart Out,” the grassy fields and green trees will come a-callin’. The album provides many upbeat melodies, going over like Belle & Sebastian and Yo La Tengo. “Endless Shovel” mixes up that bright hippie West Coast vibe, throwing in healthy dashes of poppy delight.
If you’re digging the Death Cab for Cutie sound, but don’t want to deal with the emotional baggage that comes with it, take this album out into the sun with a mojito, and simmer.
