Bryce Avery amazes me. He is the front man... Actually he is the man of The Rocket Summer. Bryce plays every instrument on the album and has played almost all the instruments on every album he’s put out. The Rocket Summer has had some really great music over the years, but how does this newest offering, Of Men and Angels, stack up?
O.E.
The Rocket Summer has always been a pop band, but don’t let that discourage you. This is what pop should be. If pop music was more like Of Men and Angels I would indulge in more of it. Be prepared for a different kind of pop album.
The real enjoyment of this album comes out of Bryce’s passion. It seeps out into every word and breath in Of Men and Angles. Sure, Bryce’s voice takes a little getting used to but it’s worth it. His consistent vocal runs add accent to his creative melodic piano riffs. Don’t ignore this dude. He’s the real thing.
Musically this album will bring back memories of both Hello Good Friend and Do You Feel. It seems like he took what was best out of those two albums and mashed them together into a really great mix of jazzy rock laden passionate love songs. These are love songs to both his wife and his God.
Bryce screaming his heart out to Mic R. Phone
My wife loves Bryce because she can feel the love he has for his wife. Many of these songs deal with the ups and downs of their relationship. His victories and valleys consequently spill into all relationships. The situations may be different from yours but the feelings are the same. Throughout the album you can hear how he longs to be a better man, friend, and husband.
This record, more than any of his others, speaks deeply to spiritual matters. Bryce doesn’t hide his love for God. Some songs on this newest album are straight Christian worship songs. Songs like Nothing Matters,This is a Refuge, Light, and the title track express his ardent heart for God. So what’s the difference between these songs and any other Christian music artist? It doesn’t feel like Bryce has to insert “Jesus” in certain parts of his songs to sell albums. It feels like when he mentions Christ he absolutely means it. I respect that.
C.I.
There’s no real crap in this album. There is no cursing, sexual, or violent themes. In the song Nothing Matters he says the word, “Sexy”. The line is said as follows, “AND I KNOW IT'S NOT TOO SEXY THAT I'M SINGING ABOUT THE BLESSINGS WE GET IF WE GIVE UP OURSELVES FOR SOMETHING GOOD.” In this song Bryce says that he is singing about God’s blessings whether you think it’s cool or not. And I think that’s cool.
I advise you to take a listen on iTunes, but it’s hard to see the beauty of this album in 30 second clips. It The Rocket Summer’s dynamics that make this a great album. If you’re worried about his different vocals just buy the album and give yourself 3 listens through. After that you won’t want to stop.
O.E. 9.0
C.I. 9.8
GameTrust Recommendation 9.4
Songs to download: The whole album.
Submitted for your approval- Ivey Rhodes
Submitted for your approval- Ivey Rhodes
I completely agree with this review. The Rocket Summer is a great band. I enjoy the songs and they relate to everyone's life and The situations you face. Great review, you did a fine job rating and explaining Rocket Summer's newest album. GO GET IT!
ReplyDeleteI personally love The Rocket Summer. Bryce Avery has been my favorite singer since I was 10 years old. I love his voice and all of his songs. It is awesome how he sings about God and how you don't really know he is unless you really listen to his songs over and over. Everyone needs to listen to his CD "Of Men and Angels". It has a great perspective on his relationship with Christ and his Wife. If I was his wife, I would be so touched about what he has written and what he sings about. Bryce Avery’s CDs are very touching in many ways. You can't really get enough of his songs once you have listened to them. My favorite song off his new CD is "I need a break-But I'd Rather have a breakthrough.” The song is talking about how his Mother and Father treated him as a child. His father was tough, but his father was proud of him for not giving up. His mother on the other hand was very emotional. She would stand up for him but his father wanted him to fight his own fights. That song is very touching to me. Everyone really needs to go buy his new CD.
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