SHREDnews

By: Steph Mirsky

The Rocket Summer is the pop rock solo-project of artist Bryce Avary, whose roots are in Forth Worth, Texas.  What makes The Rocket Summer unique, aside from intellectual lyrics and mature melodies, is the fact that Avary writes all the lyrics, plays all the instruments, and produces all the songs himself.  This past October, The Rocket Summer released the You Gotta Believe EP, co-produced by CJ Eiriksson.  Building off the buzz stemming from the EP, The Rocket Summer just released a full-length album Of Men and Angels on February 23^rd.  This album has been highly anticipated for dedicated fans as well as pop-rock lovers of all types.  Fortunately, the album delivers and lives up to its expectations; although musically different from the earlier full-length Do You Feel, it is clear that Avary has matured musically and found an outlet for the struggles he was facing.

Of Men And Angels opens with the beautiful song “Roses” that hints at the roots of The Rocket Summer.  Avary incorporated an acoustic guitar into the song, using it to highlight the introduction as well as act as a background element during the chorus.  The musical elements of the track brings listeners back to earlier Rocket Summer and creates an uplifting and empowering charge to start of the album.  “Roses” sets the entire path for the album, acting as an emotionally charged song that demonstrates the heart with which Avary wrote.  The album progresses at the same rate for the next three songs, allowing the listener to ease into the album with track off the EP.

Traditional of The Rocket Summer, Avary slams his foot on the album and brings the entire momentum into a different direction.  On the track “Walls,” the power is still there, but this time the slower song allows for a more intimate song that fans have seen Avary touch on in his earlier work.  This song focuses on Avary’s lyrical talents and allows him to deliver a thoughtful message to his fans in a way that lifts the burden allows him to share it with everyone.  No time is wasted in kicking the energy back up and continuing the themes of encouragement and strife, as Bryce Avary hits the middle of the album he delivers some of his most powerful songs to date.

Title track “Of Men and Angels” is absolutely defining; it is on this song that Avary has reached his highest level of musical experimentation.  “Of Men and Angels” contains material never touched by Avary before: comments on religion, as well as the state of belief in his career.  These personal themes partnered with a powerful and inspirational melody are the defining elements of the new sound for The Rocket Summer.  The following track “I Need A Break…But I’d Rather Have a Break Through” still incorporates the new epic sound of The Rocket Summer, but has hints of the same inspiration from Do You Feel.  It is refreshing to see that Avary is insistent on building off his earlier foundations and creating innovation by adapting his true sound instead of trying to “recreate” himself.  After this song, I feel that the album goes into a sort of lull; one that isn’t necessarily bad, just not as strong as I expected after what came from the first half of the album.

However, after three slower, not as strong songs, Avary again hits his stride.  “Hey!” kicks off the back end of the album and shows the versatility that Avary has.  This song features different vocal styles and well as an introduction that is unusual, yet refreshingly unique.  “Hey!” appears to be Avary’s reflection on the hardships he endured on the business side of his career, which is similar to “A Song Is Not A Business Plan” from the Do You Feel album.  Although it is a short song, it has raw energy and frustrated angst that translates beautifully.  The album continues with the raw energy and feeling of strife on “This Is A Refuge,” which is song that features such a commanding sound that one cannot help but be influenced.  It is clear that The Rocket Summer has something to prove and the tone of this album is demonstrating that.  “This Is A Refuge” provides hope to listeners and allows them to find their freedom in the music; the same music that Avary found his freedom in.

Of Men and Angels closes with Light,” a song off the EP You Gotta Believe and a beautiful song to end the album.  The theme of this song and the way it is musically delivered essentially acts as a synthesis for the entire album.  “Light,” in a sense, wraps the entire album up an a manner that presents the listeners with the faith that there is a way to look up in life and that there is a way to be optimistic in the face of adversity.

In the end, I believe that Of Men And Angels is some of The Rocket Summer’s and therefore, Bryce Avary’s best work.  Although it may not be as mainstream or “playable” as the previous album Do You Feel.  The album is nonetheless a beautifully crafted piece of music that not only speaks to what Bryce Avary dealt with, but also provides a foundation of trust for listeners who are facing their own struggles.  Avary has truly found his voice and sound and we can expect big things from him in the future.  We can also trust that this is “not the end, but a great beginning.”

For Fans Of: Jack’s Mannequin // Cartel // My Favorite Highway

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Top Track To Listen To: Of Men And Angels // I Need A Break // Pull Myself Together // Roses