Main Review
February 23, 2010 marks the long awaited release of The Rocket Summer’s new album Of Men and
Angels. This is the fourth album released by The Rocket Summer, and the first since 2007.
The Rocket Summer you know from the album (this may come as a surprise to some) is a ONE MAN
SHOW! Bryce Avary makes up everything you hear. Bryce writes every song; writes and arranges all the
music; plays every instrument; sings every vocal and edits it all together and even produces the album.
Also, as popular as it is right now I thought I would throw a disclaimer out there that Bryce did not use
autotune when recording this album. Avary himself decribes this album as “the most substance-filled
album to date.”
Bryce has come a long way since his birth in the early 80’s and not did not have anything to do with music
until he was 12. His father bought him his first guitar from a pawn shop and well…the rest is history. In
my opinion he is the definition of “hard work” in the music industry.
Onto the album …
At first listen to this album I felt the traditional feel of The Rocket Summer. I can honestly say that this
album will remain in my CD player for a while. One thing I did notice fairly quickly is the presence of God.
Many great messages were in the lyrics of these songs. One of my favorite songs on this album is
“Walls”. This song really made me think. Here are the beginning lyrics of this song…
“The story of my life I can't quite comprehend.
Don't tell me if you know how it ends.
When everywhere you go feels like a mirror maze,
And you're not sure how you're stuck in this place…
And you got nowhere else to go and you're lost within your own home,
And you’re trying so hard to win, you keep trying, it’s embarrassing.
And how you don’t even know,
But you know you're off the tracks… and how did you get in here?
Thinking how did I get in here.”
I personally related to this. Sometimes it just seems like no matter what we do we just can’t make it. Our
world is crashing down and we don’t know what else to do. What makes matters worse, we reflect on
the problem and wonder how we let it get this far? Then, you realize we got here by not putting our faith
and trust in God with everything we do. Nothing is too great or too small for Him. We get this answer
when the song reaches the chorus…
“I'll help you break the walls down.
I'll help you break the walls down…
Bust you out and take you home,
Believe you me you are not alone,
I'll help you break the walls down.”
The song then ends with a promise from God…
“And all the weight you carry will disappear,
And I will willingly embrace you so you lay your head.
So come on home, come on home, come on home...”
This gave me chills. Far too often we think we can do things on our own. When you just trust in God
everything will fall into place because you are living according to His plans and not you own.
The message above is repeated throughout the entire album. Most all of the songs outright speak. They
aren’t songs that leave you searching for an answer or a hidden meaning. It’s right there in front of your
face waiting for you to accept it and receive it. Many of the song titles alone speak. Some of the titles are
as follows…”Roses”, the last line in this song says…”I see!” It’s reminding me that the thorns You wear
is love that we must share. Another song is “You Gotta Believe”. Then “Hills and Valleys”, “I Want
Something to Live For”, “I Need A Break, But I’d Rather Have A Breakthrough”. A couple more are
“Nothing Matters”, “This is a Refuge” and “Light”. Just by hearing the titles of these songs you know you
are in for a word from God.
Closing Thoughts
I feel really blessed to have been able to listen to and review this album. I have listened to The Rocket
Summer for several years now and continue to be amazed by the talent and dedication to follow and do
God’s work. My only prayer is for Bryce that he continues to use his gifts and talents in a way that
ministers to others and is pleasing to God. I also look forward to listening to this album further so that it
may remind me and help me with my own walk in Christ.
I would recommend this album for anyone wanting a touch from God.
Review Written By: Ben Collins [ben.collins@christianmusicreview.org] on 2/22/2010
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