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By Steph Mirsky

The Rocket Summer is the pop rock solo-project of artist Bryce Avery, whose roots are in Forth Worth, Texas. What makes The Rocket Summer unique, aside from intellectual lyrics and mature melodies, is the fact that Avery writes all the lyrics, plays all the instruments, and produces all the songs himself. At its earliest roots, The Rocket Summer started in 1997 when Avery was sixteen-years-old and by 2005 he had released two full-length albums on indie label The Militia Group. However, it was not until July 2007, when the full-length album Do You Feel was released on the major label Island Def Jam Records, that Avery received the recognition he deserves.

After more than two years of non-stop touring, with instrumental backup provided  by hometown friends, Avery (vocals, guitar) has finally been able to put the finishing touches on his You Gotta Believe EP. This four song EP was co-produced by CJ Eiriksson and digitally released on October 27th. You Gotta Believe includes tracks from the upcoming full-length album Of Men and Angels, acting as a teaser to the album release sometime in 2010.

The EP opens with self-titled “You Gotta Believe,” which immediately sets the tone for the entire EP. The upbeat and energetic sound, coupled with mature and honest lyrics, demonstrates Avery’s intentions to continue in the direction that Do You Feel created. If an analysis of the lyrics is made, it is clear that Avery is sending a message to all his listeners: to stay strong in the face of adversary and to have belief in their own actions.

The hopeful attitude carries right into the second song “Hills and Valleys,” which was streamed on absolutepunk.net a few days early to generate buzz around the release. On this track, Avery conveys an ethereal sound through the use of uplifting melodies that drive the lyrics of love and achievement. It would seem that this track is a testament to Avery’s experiences on the road and the belief he held in order to achieve his life’s goals. However on the back end of the EP, Avery shows the importance of having to believe when you are at your lowest point.

On first listen, “Light” shows no signs of distress due to its continuation of the previous songs’ sound, but quickly the listener discovers that the lyrics convey the idea of loss. Here Avery becomes very personal, showing that darkness exists and the he holds a desire to have someone bring light into his life. As the theme of submission comes in at the very end of the song, Avery cuts to an acoustic piece that resembles his earlier work on the album Hello Good Friend. However, staying true to the EP’s intentions, Avery’s call for saving is contrasted immediately on the last track.

“The Fight” is the perfect close to an EP dedicated to belief in oneself and in others. This song acts as a summation of the entire EP: it contains a fall due to abandonment, the eventual return of faith, and the final fight to return to a previous state of mind. Here the message of belief is at its strongest and is artistically conveyed through a non-stop inspiring melody and charged lyrics that give hope to any listener. This song is proof that what does not kill you only makes you stronger.

Robert Louis Stevenson once said, “You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish. And if that be so, why not now, and where you stand?” It would seem that Bryce Avery of The Rocket Summer has taken these words to heart and has decided to fight weakness right now. You Gotta Believe is simply his way of empowering all of his listeners to do the same, “To fight the fight/And keep on fightin.” It would seem that in the end, all one really needs is a little bit of belief.

Track Listing:
1. You Gotta Believe
2. Hills and Valleys
3. Light
4. The Fight (Bonus Song)

Overall Rating: 8/10

For Fans Of: A Rocket To The Moon // The Maine // Forever The Sickest Kids

Top Tracks To Listen To: You Gotta Believe, Light

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