To find the Rocket Summer in your local music selection store, you
probably are going to have to wander into that undefined section of the
store known as Emo. While that is an elusive term, i don’t know if it
deserves to be pinned upon The Rocket Summer. Though some of his music
could be placed there, it might be more apt to put him within the
Rock/Power Pop genre. Either way, i write this to put the name out
there and say…its good stuff.
Do You Feel is not his first album, but in light of not backtracking, lets just say that his work gets better each album. Hello, Good Friend is a great album with some great tunes, but Do You Feel
is just a showing of Bryce Avery’s (lead singer/songwriter) growth as a
musician. To make a quick quip as to Avery’s musical genius, though he
tours with a band, he records all instruments on each album himself.
Enough of the hype though, and onto the album.
The album itself is quite an upbeat and uplifting album for one filed
under Emo. The album is laced heavily with piano, quick tempos, and
some very catchy lyrics. ‘So Much Love’ has a piano intro that reminds
you of that annoying, yet loveably catchy-ness of a broadway musical
tune. You can help but to tap your toe. ‘High Life Scenery’ has great
use of "chime in" lyrics, some fun off-beats, and a showing of how well
Avery can lay down some ivory. If he ever finds a way to enter our
mainstream radio in the Minneapolis area, ‘Save’ has the depth and
emotion to it to be a great single. And if you wonder where you’ll
find that emo tune, ‘Run To You’ is as emotional as the title implies.
I mean, come on, what album with a piano does have the obligatory heart
churning ballad.
If you haven’t given the Rocket Summer the time of day as of yet, give it a look. He’s only getting better with time.
