Oakland indie rock outfit Rogue Wave let out the Delusions of Grand Fur, containing spontaneity in the self-produced home studio reflection of life in all its variety. Results may vary in the dozen tracks that fit together somewhat disjointedly, in stream-of-conscious styled craftsmanship. Though true to form the band risks admitted imperfections in favor of creative honesty.
Opening track “Take It Slow” eases into the indie rockers quirky blend of alternative indie rock with fuzzy guitar distortions, echoing synthesizers and electronic warbles, all marching along to metronomic drum beat. 8 a.m. is the ideal time for thoughtful introspection for lead vocalist Zach Rogue as he muses through “In the Morning” with digital lines and electronic song beams, hand firmly placed in the hand of another. Rogue gives an outsider’s perspective on finding love for the luckiest person alive, a “California Bride,” who despite all that luck can’t seem to do any more than hole up and not take any chances. In one of the more lyrical dull points in the band’s repertoire, an incessant repeating of “Look At Me” makes the rest of the song’s content on faith and judgment and government sound overtly trite.
Acoustic simplicity coupled with synthetic harmonies make “Falling” a bit more endearing while Rogue’s echoes murmur on the era of this age, trying to work out details of being known in lifelong commodities. “Curious Me” echoes further in simplistic piano fumbling over the want of being encircled by that significant other, while the Rogue Wave mantra repeats and guitar "solos" meander ever so slowly. Synthesized bass blips lead “What Is Left to Solve” like a reworked '80s synthpop classic, building up momentum as one of those tracks that keep the music playing long after the song is through. Indictments, Canadian tuxedos, perfection and more grace the weirder side of the band as “Frozen Lake” on a head scratcher that makes you wonder just who Rogue is trying to perfectly please.
While “Endless Supply” sounds resoundingly positive in its shimmery guitars driving onwards, the "endless supply" comes across a bit neurotic when pondering: “Will I kill myself every single night?” Rogue’s idea of getting lost in the “Ocean” brings an onslaught of pain to the Ea enzyme, an odd collection of scientific ideas with a tongue-in-cheek hint to practice the very song being played. “The Last Picture Show” confesses on the worries of love and not sleeping through the night as guitar strums are buried in plunking piano keys, soft flutes and marching-styled drum work. Closing “Memento Mori” lulls softly in quieted acoustic guitar strums as Rogue turns the blame of failing back on the original failing party now lost after time, who was once supposed to be a friend.
The album has amazing moments, from tellingly heartfelt to obscure or just weird, but their songwriting strength is in full view for this collection. Referring to the Delusions of Grand Fur title, Rogue admitted in an Entertainment Weekly interview that “we kind of live within this delusional state in order to get up in the morning and be functional human beings.” If those delusions are supposed play through this collection like a photo album of randomly human moments, then Rogue Wave has done that rather well.