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| Rocket Summer, The - Hello Good Friend | The Rocket Summer - Hello Good Friend
The Militia Group
{SCORE: 8.5/10}
1. Move to the Other Side of the Block
2. I Was So Alone
3. Around the Clock
4. I’m Doing Everything (For You)
5. Tell Me Something Good
6. Never Knew
7. Brat Pack
8. Treasures
9. Story
10. Goodbye Waves and Driveways
11. Show Me Everything You Got
12. Destiny
13. Christmas Present
In a time where music is generally dominated by the essence of sadness and despondence, The Rocket Summer come forth once again like a star in the night sky. In 2003 Bryce Avary first stepped onto the scene with the simple yet overwhelmingly charming Calendar Days. Boasting an ultimately positive vibe, the album showcased Bryce’s undeniable ability to write warm, enjoyable, and emotional pop-rock tunes. For his sophomore attempt, Hello Good Friend, Bryce’s presence is extant, he has brought everything he established on his debut and taken it one step further. The songwriting has developed, the lyrics have matured slightly, and you can tell Bryce Avary is now the musician he’s always wanted to be.
From the get go, the dazzling piano notes and Bryce’s soft voice appear full throttle and let you know The Rocket Summer is back in action and ready to display effortless beauty through music. “Move to the Other Side of the Block,” is a perfectly appropriate opening, welcoming you back to the idiosyncratic sound. With a generous mix of slow and hard-hitting, it has the orchestral power to produce chills down the spine. It fades directly into the album’s first full track, “I Was So Alone,” a song that maintains a fast pace and a powerful uplifting aura throughout. Bryce makes it apparent that he is ready to bring the rock on this disc. Without a moment for a breather, the intro to “Around the Clock” will draw you in like a stranger with candy. This severely catchy number could have comfortably fit into Calendar Days and would have been a standout track if not the best song, which is a comment I could easily place among most of this album. The chorus is almost addicting, and overall it’s an excellent song that could easily furnish a first single. Lyrics like “I, I am not into/The idea, of living without you,” do not show much articulation, but as always, Bryce just does it so well, and the lack of complexity in his words supports the overall purpose of the band.
“I’m Doing Everything For You,” provides another pop-rock gem, with a very cool vocal/guitar-lick harmonizing part starting at about 2:03 which sounds awesome. Bryce’s passion is transmitted through the music flawlessly and is most abundant in the chorus that I’ve been singing nonstop. Finally we get the first real respite with slower song “Tell Me Something Good.” Bryce Avary’s voice may be a love or hate type of thing, but it is invariably full of raw emotion and sincerity as can be heard on Calendar Days, and very much so on his magnificent cover of Counting Crows’ “High Life” (from Dead and Dreaming - An Indie Tribute to Counting Crows). On this album Bryce has incorporated a lot more of his yelling vocal style which does not detract from the bubblegum goodness, but does add to the impact (see the end of track 10). Much to my satisfaction the gorgeous piano returns on, “Never Knew,” perhaps the most formidable and epic piece on the album. I noticed that the breakdown represents some of Bryce’s more interesting guitar work, which is generally more ambitious on this record. Next up is “Brat Pack,” which some might be familiar with from the Militia Group sampler. Though one might find the bouncy chorus of “It’s like we’re our own Brat Pack/We’re always kicking back/Nobody can take that/And that is that/It’s like it’s all we have,” to be somewhat childish, there is something oddly refreshing about this sentiment, and the bridge could almost bring you to tears.
The only full piano song, “Treasures,” is gorgeously written, involving some blues influence, and portrays Bryce’s ability to incorporate high notes in his vocals that truly enhance the beauty. “So use me up and throw me away.” No one could sing those words as well as he does. Every time I hear him sing the word “throw” in that verse, it strikes a deep chord in my heart that represents my affinity for music. “Story,”is literally overflowing with energy, featuring Bryce singing Twista-style on the chorus (if you ain’t a wanksta, that means he sings the words really fast), an island sounding second verse, and some oh oh’s and la da da’s in the finale. At this point you’re probably wondering, “Well where is the monster ballad?” The answer comes in the form of “Goodbye Waves and Driveways.” The song builds and mounts in fervent emotional ardor, as more and more instruments chime in. Eventually the climax explodes with elation, and Bryce screams these simple words at the top of his lungs, “Because I love you, and you love me!” I guess this notion really summarizes all that is The Rocket Summer, unembellished... yet extremely affecting. Both “Show Me Everything You Got,” and “Destiny,” are every bit as satisfying and uplifting as the entirety of the record and continue the pattern of foot tapping guitar work and windows down sing-along choruses. Finally, Hello Good Friend, reaches its conclusion with “Christmas Present,” a lovely acoustically based song that is driven by the relaxing melancholy musicianship, only sprinkled with a few lyrics. I invite you to stick around for the bonus track, because it is the most touching and personal piece of music I have ever heard from The Rocket Summer, and an intriguing note to end on.
As we move into Spring and life is born again, all around us, you’re going to want an album like this in your arsenal. I cannot think of another record in recent history that has pumped me full of so many positive and optimistic feelings. With flurries of friendship, memory, love, and open arms towards life, Hello Good Friend covers the scale of human sentiments. The album itself is a toast to the joys of living. Even at its saddest there is an air of gratefulness and a general, “everything’s going to be okay” atmosphere. Bryce Avary can be crowned king of simple fun uplifting pop rock. Everything about this young artist emits enthusiasm and cheerfulness, down to his live show which includes interactive dancing, singing, and sometimes an explosion of confetti. My affection and appreciation for The Rocket Summer is enormous; Hello Good Friend will propel anyone through the warm months ahead, with a smile to boot. |
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Displaying posts 1 - 9 of 9. |
08:47 PM on 01/18/06 | this guy's voice is so irritating....wow. i like this kind of music, and i couldn't listen to the voice. | | |
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03:49 PM on 04/29/06 | bryce doesnt get much respect when he deserves all of it. i met him before and let me tell you, he's the nicest SUPERSTAR ive ever met. he's genuine and when i asked him to play "thats so you" he did without any questions. he's the shit. this album however tops the first one. with the songs treasures and christmas present. his vocals soar through-out. side note: bryce is as big as michael jackson is in japan. the japanese absolutely love him. | | |
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10:09 PM on 05/07/06 | bryce is such an incredible person.
a change in an industry so bogged down by negativity. | | |
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12:13 PM on 10/10/06 | sweet review, i love this cd | | |
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09:50 AM on 12/26/06 | Bryce Avary is the man. It's just ridiculous how he writes parts for every single instrument, lyrics, and produces with very little assistance, and is still able to create such insanely catchy songs.
But I've gotta say that his first album was better. I don't like the weird parts on HGF where he starts screaming, which occurs a lot over the course of it. | | |
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08:56 AM on 05/26/07 | Pretty good CD. I got sick of the songs fairly quickly though. | | |
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11:17 PM on 07/13/08 | Bryce, is amazing.
His music is amazing.
Amazing. | | |
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