On the Rogue

There's no doubting that Quebec's The Stills are hip. And they deserve to be; these stylish lads have an undeniably infectious way with classically Brit-pop-inspired tunes that split the difference between deceptively simple and conspicuously sophisticated. The band's 2006 Vice Recordings album Without Feathers is simply packed with 'em.

But the real gem on this bill just might turn out to be Rogue Wave, a Pacific Northwest outfit that's been poised to possibly become the next Shins for a couple of albums now. The group's '04 debut full-length Out of The Shadows (recorded entirely by multi-instrumentalist and Rogue Wave boss-man Zach Rogue) was a quietly confident acoustic guitar-driven affair, but last year's full-band effort Descended Like Vultures stepped out of the background with impressive classic-rock influences and songwriting acuity. It'll be interesting to see how these four guys arrange things live; it'll also most likely be marvelous.

The Stills w/Rogue Wave, Tuesday, June 6 @ Orpheum, Ybor City. 7 p.m.; $10 adv./$12 d.o.s.

This article appears in May 31 – Jun 6, 2006.