California
February 29, 2008
Song: California
Artist: Rogue Wave
Album: Descended Like Vultures
Link: California
Genre: Indie-pop, Indie Rock, Acoustic Rock
Mood: rainy, drowsy, moody
Description: On a very different tempo than recent songs, California is a pretty (but sad) acoustic ballad that integrates the singer’s drowsy voice and acoustic guitar vey well. It’s a fairly bare-bones song, even when it’s not, as the effect is mostly generated by the sparseness of the melody and the lack of prominent drums. I find the singer a bit difficult to hear (except when he breaks out into strings of (“uh uh uh…”), so the lyrics get a bit muddled, but it effectively complements the guitar, which is the true focal point of the song. The guitar is complex enough to be interesting, but repetitive enough to not be a true challenge to listen to. Its greatest success, however, is in the relaxed moody atmosphere it so effortlessly creates. California is certainly a pleasure to listen to, but it’s a song really meant for a rainy depressing day. (Especially if you live in California: “Screw California/ And friends that are never there.”)
