Album Mini-review: Rose Windows — Rose Windows
File next to: Black Mountain, Black Angels
Talk about promise only partially fulfilled. When Rose Windows released Sun Dogs, their 2013, major-label debut, they displayed great potential. With a strong tribal-psych groove reminiscent of Black Mountain, the young Pacific Northwest group seemed posed for great things. So the news in Spring 2015 that they were disbanding was met with great disappointment. But all is not lost; they leave behind this new self-titled disc, a parting-shot album that delivers on what Sun Dogs only suggested. Melodic yet full of heavy/light contrast that suggests (but rarely sounds like) progressive rock, Rose Windows sidesteps the “sophomore slump” curse. Hypnotic rhythms and stomping guitars are juxtaposed against folky (yes!) flute/synth lines. And they top it all off with the expressive, yelping vocals of Rabia Shaheen Qazi. Now if they had only stuck around for a third album, who knows what fascinating musical journeys they might have revealed.
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About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.