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Out Of The Shadow Image
Metascore
79

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

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

  • Summary: Originally self-released by the band in 2003, this debut album for Rogue Wave (basically just namesake Zach Rogue, plus additional musicians on some songs) was remastered and re-released by Sub Pop in 2004.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Alternative Press
    100
    Think Doug Martsch fronting the Shins and playing the sweetest Carl Newman jams ever. [Sep 2004, p.124]
  2. Out of the Shadow's blissful indie-pop tunes are as affecting as they are catchy.
  3. Out of the Shadow remains one of the most promisingly straight-forward indie-rock/pop debuts since Oh, Inverted World.
  4. Q Magazine
    70
    A textbook case of college rock, performed very well. [Oct 2004, p.129]
  5. Despite the band's penchant for uneven electronic dirges, Out Of The Shadow is a very accessible work -- perhaps too accessible for indie enthusiasts who thrive on innovation and sonic exploration.
  6. Mojo
    70
    Tightly packed with Eight Days A Week-style harmonies and immaculate, 12-string strumming. [Oct 2004, p.100]
  7. This is not perfect music: the observations seem to easily gained; the faster songs mere replicas of previous monuments; and no matter how graceful the notes' elisions, an unskillful denouement on many of the songs' endings.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. BrianJ
    Sep 15, 2004
    10
    Wow, what a great album. I usually don't give albums 10's, but this one is worth it. This is a must have for fans of the Shins and Wow, what a great album. I usually don't give albums 10's, but this one is worth it. This is a must have for fans of the Shins and New Pornographers. This album sneaks up on you. Very melodic. Expand
  2. BrianH
    Sep 10, 2004
    10
    Great record. Favs: Sewn Up, Be Kind and Remind, Falcon Settles Me
  3. ErinM
    Sep 10, 2004
    10
    Sounds like the Shins!
  4. GregH
    Jan 15, 2005
    9
    Comparison to the Shins is appropriate, and I think I might like Rogue Wave better than the Shins - which coming from me, means alot.....
  5. matta
    Jul 13, 2005
    9
    This really is a great album, one of the five best of the year in my opinion. I agree with others who have said they are similar to the Shins This really is a great album, one of the five best of the year in my opinion. I agree with others who have said they are similar to the Shins but better.....they really are better, better melodies, better strong structure, better sound....just all-around better. It will be interesting to see if they can duplicate the brilliance shown here on their sophomore release. Expand
  6. JohnC
    Feb 5, 2005
    9
    Forget the Shins. This is so far superior to The Shins, and I like the shins. The album is one of the best of the years and give promise to Forget the Shins. This is so far superior to The Shins, and I like the shins. The album is one of the best of the years and give promise to what could be one of the next great band. Expand
  7. jasont
    Sep 18, 2004
    8
    A very, very good album. I'd give it an 8.4 if that were available. Lyrically the songs leave something to be desired, but melodically A very, very good album. I'd give it an 8.4 if that were available. Lyrically the songs leave something to be desired, but melodically they are borderline brilliant. Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

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