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Asleep At Heaven's Gate
by
Asleep At Heaven's Gate Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Austin Chronicle
    89
    The Oakland quartet, now on Jack Johnson's Brushfire imprint, has a greater sense of urgency, sharper edges, and a more mature sound overall.
  2. Spin
    80
    This Oakland quartet teams with Yo Ma Tengo producer Roger Moutenot to create a make-or-break manifesto that often trumps indie rock's big-leaguers. [Oct 2007, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Under The Radar
    70
    Despite not being Rogue Wave's best album, it's still a lot better than what the average band produces. [Summer 2007, p.77]
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  4. The A.V. Club
    67
    The quartet has continued down the big, dreamy path, but this time, it's made things longer and denser, and as a result, Asleep At Heaven's Gate ends up feeling more sluggish than it should.
  5. Q Magazine
    60
    Asleep at Heaven’s Gate is still as polite and polished as the "edgy" mainstream dramas it will no doubt continue to soundtrack. [June 2008, p.146]
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  6. Stylus Magazine
    58
    ['Fantasies' and 'Missed' are] mere tasty morsels amidst a mass of mid-tempo gelatin resulting from nearly arbitrary song structure ('Own Your Own Home'), bland chord progressions ("Ghost"), or one-take studio dickery ('Phonytown') that renders the closer, 'Cheaper Than Therapy,' a five-and-a-half minute afterthought.
  7. Prefix Magazine
    50
    Most of Asleep at Heaven’s Gate is forgettable, uninspired, middle-of-the-road indie pop.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. GarthE
    Oct 17, 2007
    10
    A definite grower, and I appreciate that. Solid, no laggers, well constructed and just an excellent listen. I can't see where some of A definite grower, and I appreciate that. Solid, no laggers, well constructed and just an excellent listen. I can't see where some of these bad grades are comming from, but oh-well. I just really like this type of music. Band of Horses, The National, My Morning jacket, The Shins....in that vein of musicality, and a prime example of it.… Expand
  2. FrankG.
    Oct 7, 2007
    10
    I love this album... I've never heard the band b4 and bought it on a whim, but it was worth the 12 bucks. It is becoming the soundtrack I love this album... I've never heard the band b4 and bought it on a whim, but it was worth the 12 bucks. It is becoming the soundtrack to my fall.… Expand
  4. JoseG.
    Oct 17, 2007
    9
    This one's a grower, well for me it was at least. After several listens now, this has become one of my favorite albums of the past few months.
  5. ThomT.
    Nov 2, 2007
    8
    There r 2 pop bands I can listen to without getting bored : Pinback & Rogue Wave. When the last PINBACK album disappoints me a bit, the RW There r 2 pop bands I can listen to without getting bored : Pinback & Rogue Wave. When the last PINBACK album disappoints me a bit, the RW 's "Asleep At Heaven's Gate" catch my ears all day long. And for a pop band it's a exploit RW manages since their marvelous "Out Of The Shadow".… Expand
  6. Brett
    Sep 28, 2007
    7
    I'd have to say it isn't a bad album but I just need to stress how amazing "out of the shadow" is. Basically a Zach Rogue solo I'd have to say it isn't a bad album but I just need to stress how amazing "out of the shadow" is. Basically a Zach Rogue solo album; one of my top 10 albums… Expand
  7. VincentH.
    Dec 3, 2007
    6
    Not as solid as their 2 previous Sub Pop releases. I highly recommend getting "Out of the Shadows" first. "Descenced Like Vultures" was a Not as solid as their 2 previous Sub Pop releases. I highly recommend getting "Out of the Shadows" first. "Descenced Like Vultures" was a grower, but I now appreciate it as much as the first album. I don't know if it's the new producer (from Bill Racine to Roger Moutenot) or new label, but something is definitely amiss. The band is excellent as always, but honestly it just comes down to songwriting; the quality is just not there in comparison to their earlier stuff. I definitely appreciate the evolution of the music, but Zach Rogue is an incredible songwriter, and Rogue Wave fans can tell you, this guy has written very few unlikeable songs. While there are definitely gems here that could've easily fit on DLV (essentially the first 6 songs), but I agree with the Pitchfork review. The last half of the album is full of mostly forgettable melodies, which for Rogue Wave is very shocking. This guy knows how to write a catchy-ass pop song. Hopefully these guys can hook up with Bill Racine again for their next album. Oh well...we'll always have "Out of the Shadow".… Expand
  8. JaredW.
    Sep 23, 2007
    3
    Lacks soul.

See all 12 User Reviews