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| Rocket Summer, The - The Early Years EP | Bryce Avary never bought into the importance of machismo. The Rocket Summer’s live performances showcase its front man frolicking and flailing about the stage, flying from his guitar to the keyboard and any other instrument imaginable like a pinball. One quickly recognizes the songwriter’s confidence in his image when presented with his shockingly high-pitched vocals and energetic, bouncing guitars of recent releases. Going back to the outset of his career, The Early Years EP, we see that same flamboyance in a more raw, equally expressive fashion.
Written as a sixteen year old in a town near Dallas, Bryce’s work as a very young gentleman displays a youthful outlook that managed to stick with him to this point in his career. From the lyrics, which stir nostalgic sentiments for its more mature listeners, to the spastic flair of the instrumental work, the CD more wholly embodies a positive aura than most recent releases. Avary labors not to churn out an entirely inventive, musically expanding sound but rather a more generic yet still remarkably entertaining and enjoyable collection. The mix of electric and acoustic guitars works nicely. He effectively pinpoints an almost ideal combination of the two and uses each only the necessary amount. Drumming throughout paces the tracks well, but offers little else. Cymbal work seems second nature and, although natural, none of the percussion brings anything spectacular to the tunes.
On songs like “My Typical Angel” Bryce lets his voice reach a slightly unruly, out of control state. The unbridled nature of his voice depicts the vibrant teenage emotions he harbors, but they also harass the listener’s ears. Such proves the most outstanding development between the Rocket Summer of past and present; those once unruly wails now surface much more infrequently. Bryce always possessed a smooth, expansive voice. Whereas it used to get away from him every once in awhile as is the case on the Early Years EP, later releases display a much more controlled side.
Not surprisingly, as a more immature musician Avary still managed to match his upbeat instrumental playfulness with appropriately lighthearted lyrics. His troubles harp not on internal strife with himself and his existence, but rather with significant others. Here Bryce sounds not like the emotionally undeveloped rock icon still pining over and whining about girls like a mere child, but rather a simple kid spouting cheesy lyrics like “you’re a seven on a scale of how much you make me feel closer to heaven” with a naïve, open heart capable of the most innocent puppy love. This purity surfaces because he was in fact a teen when he composed these pieces. Although lines such as the one printed above wear on the listener due to their moderately corny aftertaste, the genuine nature of their delivery render them ultimately not only tolerable but even appreciable.
The Rocket Summer concerns itself not with societal norms regarding masculinity or pop culture boundaries for artists. It instead focuses on yielding an undeniably fun and honest product. Its fans know that Bryce Avary brought just that with his latest, more musically developed albums. Here one sees that he’s had that poppy goodness in him since day one. |
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Displaying posts 1 - 15 of 21. |
11:16 PM on 12/11/06 | I actually had the original recording of this EP. The Rocket Summer (Bryce) has got to be one of the most genuine musicians out there right now. I love everything that he does.
I personally think that the production rating should have been left out of the overall rating for this seeing as how he recorded this years ago without professional recording equipment. But overall, this was a decent review. | | |
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05:25 AM on 12/12/06 | Is there a track listing? I have downloaded older songs and wanted to know if these are songs I have heard of or other songs. | | |
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05:50 AM on 12/12/06 | I'll probably be checking this out. Nice review. :) | | |
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06:59 AM on 12/12/06 | www.ryancoons.blogspot.co m Wow, that was a very well written review. I'll be picking this up today thanks to you. | | |
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07:42 AM on 12/12/06 | Good review and release. I had the pleasure of seeming them (with GAD opening) in a really small place the next town over a couple of years ago. It was a great show and Bryce was a really nice guy. | | |
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07:58 AM on 12/12/06 | so the question is, is it worth me buying? | | |
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10:10 AM on 12/12/06 | so the question is, is it worth me buying? |
If you like the newer stuff, it's worth picking up (especially at a cheaper EP price). However, if it's your first TRS purchase, I would suggest one of the two full lengths. | | |
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10:19 AM on 12/12/06 | good read. i enjoy the rocket summer but i cant see him making awesome music..just pretty good music. | | |
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11:21 AM on 12/12/06 | o man i get geeked over the rocket summer so it was pretty awesome to see this. its a worthy ep, especially out of a 16 yr old. TEN tour should be amazing | | |
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11:45 AM on 12/12/06 | i had no idea they something new coming out | | |
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11:53 AM on 12/12/06 | i downloaded the original ep a long time ago, and it still remains my favorite rocket summer release so i'll definantly be picking this up. | | |
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06:44 PM on 12/12/06 | I'm not going to say things like that anymore. | | |
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