Sometimes I wonder why I do Punktastic. I’m sick of the constant moaning, whinging and whining. The backbiting and constant ‘I’m better than you ‘cos your taste in music sucks because you listen to bands that dress like girls and have song titles longer than that place in Wales with no vowels’. The same old people, making the same old statements to make themselves look clever. The same people who, pretty much, don’t do anything positive and just moan. Like it matters if someone has black hair. Or blue hair. Or blonde or red hair. So what if they listen to New Found Glory or some obscure band from Outer Mongolia? So what if you think something’s shit – do you really think anyone cares? Why can’t people be allowed to like a band without a fear of being castigated by a force of cyber-nerds hellbent on policing teh punx?
But then, just when you think you can no longer put up with another bleating, apathetic child force-feeding his thoughts on you like it’s the all-knowing, all-conquering ™ opinion to end all opinions, a record like this comes along and I realise exactly why I love to write and why I love music. This is absolutely perfect. It’s the antidote to all the wankers that make this site the bane of my life more than a passion. I don’t give too many records full marks – but this gets it. It’s not technically original I know, but this record has the ability to change my mood instantly (for the better) – and I don’t know many albums that have that capability.
From the opening scenesetter of ‘Move To The Other Side Of The Block’, this is brilliant. The Rocket Summer is a one man project, Bryce Avary, and he plays and sings everything. There’s piano, guitar, bass, drums and a variety of other little parts. Each song is carefully crafted and cute, full of passion and sincerity. I fell in love with ‘Calendar Days’ because it was so honest and cute, but Bryce has gone one better this time. Since the last album it’s apparent he’s become a lot happier – and this album is the proof as it’s as chipper as they come. ‘Around The Clock’ is the prettiest song I’ve heard in ages, while ‘I Was So Alone’ is like an episode of The OC wrapped up in three and a half minutes of music.
‘Tell Me Something Good’ is sweet as hell, while ‘Brat Pack’ will make you move your feet and urge you to dance like a motherfucker. Then there’s ‘Story’, another feel-good anthem that will have you singing along in no time. This is a really happy record and the way in which Bryce writes his songs means it’s almost impossible not to get carried along for the ride. He’s so enthusiastic and passionate, so energetic and emotional without ever being cliched. And moreover, this is such a fun album. Music’s probably not meant to be fun anymore – well this is a big ‘fuck you’ to anyone who takes themselves far too seriously.
Bryce Avary is an absolute genius and this record is perfect. Sure, someone will no doubt leave the all too predictable derogatory review below, but I don’t care and I doubt Bryce does either. This is the happiest, most carefree record I probably own. Every single chord, every single note, every single high-pitched vocal. It’s THE album of the summer. I don’t care if it’s not scene, I don’t care if it’s not cool and I don’t care for the opinions of the annointed few who proclaim themselves to be better than you. Music is about emotion – it’s about what the listener can connect to and what can inspire them to do something different.
It’s records like this that make me realise what music should be all about. Just a little word called ‘fun‘.
www.therocketsummer.com
The Militia Group
Paul