The Rocket Summer--The Early Years EP

Bryce Avary is listed to have played nine separate instruments in his newest EP, The Early Years which means to say: he did everything. To those of you who drooled over Avary’s earlier release "Hello, Good Friend." this is painfully obvious. But to those who did not know (and that includes me), Avary is an impressive and energetic dude. The Rocket Summer sounds like a fully manned band and Avary’s musical talents – and song-writing tact – can’t possibly be overrated. Well, they probably could, but in terms of this EP, lets just assume we can’t. Why? Because this is the EP that Avary recorded when he was 16. These six songs, initially sold through Avary’s website back in 1999 before "Hello, Good Friend," show that he was well on his way to selling-out Japanese arenas. "So Far Away" opens the demo with vibrant instrumentals and Avary’s boyish vocals. The rhythm could be featured on any alternative-act’s album, but Avary spins it with acoustics and his fragile voice into emo territory. Songs like "That's What She Said" and "Teenage Love Rock" follow along the same lines as Panic! At the Disco, Fallout Boy, and Hellogoodbye (without all the silly effects that is). The release is fairly repetitive though, and by the end of "She's a Seven" at the conclusion of the demo his song structure has become predictable. But, frankly, he was 16 at the time of this recording and could stand among the pop greats of the today (of which I suppose he now stands). The sophistication of this release is admirable, and reminds us that Avary – even if you shy away from before-mentioned acts – is a musical prodigy, if not genius.

(Published at MusicEmissions.com)