In a mainstream currently flooded by Death Cab for Cutie and Modest Mouse, it's a wonder that Rogue Wave hasn't broken through to larger audiences. As the mastermind and sole songwriter/performer of Rogue Wave Zach Rogue polishes his sound, and seems to move further away from his previous glossy, happy-go-lucky style.

Rogue Wave's latest release, Descended Like Vultures, continues the group's trend of solid indie-pop tracks that seem to have gone slightly awry.

Rogue, riding the Sub Pop machine, opts for highbrow production on Descended Like Vultures. The album's gilded sound creates a strange and unfortunate tension between the mainstream sound and the indie power-pop. Many of the tracks struggle balancing a New Pornographeresque intensity and optimism with an impersonal, shiny finish. The album isn't catchy enough for the former's notoriety or the latter's success.

"10:1" - a track admittedly full of tight melody and frequent mood swings - employs the megaphone distortion used on countless lo-fi indie releases, but the soaring keyboards and guitar spasms negate the track's home-recorded feel. Unfortunately Rogue attempts to revert back to the under-produced sound as the track ends with the typical noise freak-out.

Even more intimate, acoustic songs like "California" and "Salesman At the Day Of the Parade" sound professionally finished. Sharp melodies interrupt the razor-blade sharp-acoustic guitar and provide smooth breaks.

Rogue does manage to find a balance on several tracks. The instrumentation and vocals intertwine perfectly with the woozy bounce of "Bird On a Wire" before bursting into the powerfully restrained chorus. The watery distortion of the guitars on "Catform" lays the backdrop for the acoustic guitar and keyboards.

Descended Like Vultures could be Rogue Wave's venture into the mainstream but is essentially a misguided mix of indie sensibilities and big-time dreams. While there are no especially shallow tracks, there are also few, if any, standouts.

Rogue has proven that he can write with the likes of Death Cab and other crossover artists but is not quite up to par with the indie-rock frontrunners. If he can make up his mind which scene he wants to be a part of, Rogue Wave will probably have a place waiting for them.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars