Wave of jubiliance

For a band that has suffered a significant number of letdowns over the course of recent years, Rogue Wave’s newest album showers us with lively melodies and ambitious jubilance.

“Permalight” definitely sounds lighter than previous efforts, though contrasting song titles like “We Will Make A Song Destroy” and “Per Anger” fill the latter half of the album, where things slow down a little bit.

For the most part, the sound of the album is embodied within the first two songs. “Solitary Gun” and “Good Morning (The Future)” strike a balance somewhere between The Decemberists and Hellogoodbye. There are indie lyricism and basics, but dance- and pop-heavy influences make “Permalight” more accessible.

However, the album falls short in the big play. No tracks besides “Good Morning (The Future)” help carry the album. The redemptive solidity of the whole keeps “Permalight” from being a flop but foils any aspirations of a groundbreaking new style.