Rogue Wave

Thursday, September 22; Blueberry Hill's Duck Room (6504 Delmar Boulevard, University City)

Rogue Wave may or may not possess the same life-changing powers ascribed to their like-minded Sub Pop labelmates the Shins. Still, the Oakland quartet's upcoming second album, Descended Like Vultures, may very well become your most cherished album of 2005 -- that is, if you dig the quasi-psychedelic sonic adventurousness of Elephant 6 bands, Ray Davies-inspired vocal hooks, the uncorny ebullience of the Flaming Lips and emotional (not emo) rescue. As its title portends, Vultures is a shade darker than last year's Out of the Shadow -- an album one reviewer noted "makes you want to eat sunshine and crap kittens." But Rogue Wave's live show is filled with enough warmth and joy to get you wondering if that's a meow in your pants, or whether you're just happy to see them.

Show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $8; call 314-727-4444 for more information.