Lab analyses, electron microscopes, s‚ances and metaphysical inquiries - all absurd measures to prove that a spade is still a spade. So while hipsters of the blogosphere over-scrutinize the impact of Rogue Wave's signing to Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records, they tend to forget the fact that Rogue Wave is always one of the most accessible Sub Pop perennials. The truth is that on their new LP, Asleep at Heaven's Gate, Rogue Wave persists in their slightly eccentric yet uber-familiar dream-pop/indie rock-hybrid that they've developed on their past two albums. Not that their consistency is necessarily a bad thing. The album opens with the long and intricate track "Harmonium," a crescendo-ridden romp interlaced with a hooky chorus and muted vocals. The gem here is "Lake Michigan," a nostalgic and catchy number of uncharacteristic brevity. Unfortunately, the album slumps halfway through; it suffers from too many crescendos, an overuse of hooks and a slack in the lyrics and songwriting. Asleep at Heaven's Gate averages out to be a mediocre album in spite of its early brilliance, and Rogue Wave fails to differentiate itself from ubiquitous and sometimes unflattering comparisons to the Shins, My Morning Jacket and Band of Horses.

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