Bryce Avary, the mastermind behind the one-man band The Rocket Summer, has released his latest album entitled Of Men and Angels. The Fort Worth, TX native brings his vision of unbridled optimism into his music, which can be heard greatly both in his voice and in the lyrics to his songs. If you're looking for an album to get you out of an emotional rut, this album is a sure thing for you!
The album kicks off with "Roses", a high energy, bombastic track that is a combination of both acoustic and electric guitars which give the song a very unique sound and also gives us something we haven't heard before. The album's first single, "You Gotta Believe" is an extremely melodic and upbeat track that is guaranteed to make you want to dance along and will put a smile on your face at the same time. "Hills and Valleys" is a low-key, piano driven track that best showcases Bryce's earnest and optimistic sounding vocals, which seem to permeate every facet of this song and will make you sing along every time you hear it. "Walls" is another stellar track that shows Bryce's introspective side and displays the wide range of talents he's capable of. This song also evokes feelings of trying to fit into society and breaking people's perceptions about you.
The album continues on with "Pull Myself Together (Don't Hate Me)", a mid-tempo, melodic rocker that is sure to get you out of your foul mood and get you rocking out to this song. The album's title track is a simple, melodic tune that has a flurry of guitars, drums, and Bryce's vocals allowing the song to coast along with ease. "I Need A Break...But I'd Rather Have A Breakthrough" is a fun and melodic tune that has a distinct hook that reels you in with an "oh-oh-oh" chorus that is sure to be ingrained in your mind after hearing this song.
As the album starts to conclude, we hear "Tara, I'm Terrible", a song written about his wife and is an acoustic tune that is stripped of all other instrumentation to show Bryce's heavenly and inspiring vocals at its finest. "Let You Go" is a bombastic and melodic tune that has a host of instruments arranged around a simple melody to give it a natural and harmonic feel. "This Is A Refuge" is a solid and well written song that is sure to be a fan favorite at the next Rocket Summer show where I'm sure the audience will be singing along to this song and many others.
My favorite song off the album is "Light", a remarkable and extremely catchy song that is determined to put you in a good mood and positive frame of mind, and ultimately succeeds in doing so. Every single one of Bryce's songs are entirely created by him, everything from the instrumentation to the lyrics, which are some of the most well written and optimistic lyrics that I've heard in quite awhile. With the current state of affairs in the world today, we all need some hope and inspiration in our lives, and Bryce Avary has the antidote for you on this album.
All in all, a wonderful and extraordinary album that is the perfect solution if you haven't been in the best mood lately for whatever reason, and is an album that if you listen to with an open mind and listen to very carefully, you'll find an album that makes you so happy to be alive, breathing, and thinking in a positive frame of mind. Highly recommended!
Album Score: 4.5/5
Track Listing:
- Roses
- You Gotta Believe
- Hills and Valleys
- I Want Something To Live For
- Walls
- Pull Myself Together (Don't Hate Me)
- Of Men and Angels
- I Need A Break...But I'd Rather Have A Breakthrough
- Nothing Matters
- Japanese Exchange Student
- Tara, I'm Terrible
- Hey!
- Let You Go
- This Is A Refuge
- Light
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