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Asleep at Heaven's Gate isn't a bad record, it's an unnecessary one and there's really no excuse for that.
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Its third and most ambitious release. 'Asleep' is notable for its beefed-up instrumentation and an overall darker tone than its predecessors.
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The problem with Asleep at Heaven's Gate is that the second half isn't nearly as strong as the first.
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SpinThis 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]
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['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.
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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.
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Asleep at Heaven's Gate now continues that same kind of expert carnival of noise, even as its songs are longer (six of the 12 creep over five minutes) and flirt with jam-band explorations. Oddly, though, it feels like a step back.
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Under The RadarDespite 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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It's the songs that are swollen, and Rogue Wave will likely remain a moderately successful act whose new album is slept on because its floral solidity isn’t enough to hold up the heft of its length.
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Asleep at Heaven’s Gate is strangely flawed because the warmth of the first two albums has been exchanged for grandeur and detached shellac. By no means is this a fall from grace for Rogue Wave, but it is the band’s first significant stumble.
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Similarities in vocals will mean that Lazy Shins Comparisons are inevitable, but when Rogue Wave break out of the confines of indie-by-association they prove they are a fine band indeed.
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Most of Asleep at Heaven’s Gate is forgettable, uninspired, middle-of-the-road indie pop.
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The Oakland quartet, now on Jack Johnson's Brushfire imprint, has a greater sense of urgency, sharper edges, and a more mature sound overall.
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MojoIt may be that RW are out to capitalise on previous use of their music in shows such as "The O.C." and "Weeds," but Rogue's voice--as angelic and tender as those of Buckleys Tim and Jeff--is a joy throughout. [June 2008, p.103]
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Q MagazineAsleep 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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UncutJust prepare for a Rogue Wave deluge. [June 2008, p.102]
User score distribution:
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Positive: 15 out of 20
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Mixed: 3 out of 20
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Negative: 2 out of 20
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VincentH.Dec 3, 2007
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ThomT.Nov 2, 2007
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JoseG.Oct 17, 2007This 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.