The Top 31 of 2007 - #27

Cale's Pick
Rogue Wave: Asleep at Heaven's Gate
Released: September 18, 2007

Three albums in, and Rogue Wave has made my Top Albums of list 3 different times. This time around though, things aren't as bright and sunny as they once were. Back in 2005, the band's second LP, Descended Like Vultures made it to #3 on my list just behind Sufjan Stevens' Illinois and The New Pornographers' Twin Cinema. That's pretty good company if you ask me! But Asleep at Heaven's Gate takes the momentum built off of Rogue Wave's first two albums and smothers it with a pillow. The band doesn't expand on their sound at all. The first songs on the album all sound like "Love's Lost Guarantee" in some way or another, and the second half of Asleep at Heaven's Gate is mostly just filler. It wouldn't even be on this list if it weren't for those first 5 or 6 tracks, which are familiar yet very good. In the end though, Asleep at Heaven's Gate feels a lot more like half of an album than a full effort by Zach Rogue and his bandmates. It's a great half, though!

For being great, even when they're bad, Rogue Wave (*cringe*) surfs it's way to #27.

The Top 31 Songs of 2007 - #27

"Hop a Plane" by Tegan and Sara, from the album, The Con.

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Jill's Pick

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band: It's Not Big It's Large

Released: August 28, 2007

The title of this album makes me chuckle because unless you know Lyle Lovett you could totally take this title the wrong way. (I know you know what I mean.) Really, though, he's talking about his band. It is, after all, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band. It's something like 13 instruments and himself, along with 3 other singers who basically have a backup role.

(Please. Let me complain. Lyle Lovett and his band have been on my list of "people to see live" for YEARS. And every time, every SINGLE TIME, he comes to either where I live or where I happen to be, it's always at the worst possible time. I have, in the last two years, missed his show 6 times. Six. And that's an accurate number, folks, because I'm bitter about the timing and of course I'm going to keep track so that when I do complain, I can complain with FACTS.)

(Moving on...)

It's part Gospel, Jazz, Folk, Country, Big Band, Classical. Lyle Lovett has this voice I find soothing and mellow and always leaves me wanting more. He makes me love the South more than I already do, gives me a strong desire to slow dance, and I always want to bust out the tea lights for a little late night listening session. There's nothing gimmicky, nothing new. Nothing innovative. It's comfortable music...and comfort is key. (Or crucial, depending on who you are.)

Lyle Lovett is like Bjork, when I really think about it: you never know what you're going to get. It's Lyle Lovett. He doesn't need to do anything new.

The best track: "Up In Indiana" (both versions)

Tracks you should give a listen to:

--"Tickle Toe"

--"South Texas Girl"

--"Up In Indiana"

--"No Big Deal"