Driven Far Off

The latest on the indie, alternative, and rock music scene including news, music, contest, interviews, and more. Best described as your favorite place to find new bands.

The Rocket Summer – Do You Feel

By 1 Comment

TRS

Artist: The Rocket Summer
Album: Do You Feel
Label: Island Records
Purchase: Island Records
Release Date: July 17th 2007

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.5
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 9.0

July 17th was a day that had long been marked on my calendar. It marked the release date of The Rocket Summer’s junior album — Do You Feel. The joy of my anticipation was killed when my pre-order did not arrive in the mail on the exact release date. I refused to wait another day so I headed over to the store without hesitation to buy what would be my second purchase of the new Rocket Summer record.

I popped in the cd and infectious pop filled my ears to their content. “Break It Out” — the first track was full of more energy then any song I had yet to hear this year. Instead of being eased into the album you are commanded to jump in and you are kept captivated the entire time. Every song is phenomenal and the flow of the record brings you full circle – from diving in with massive spirit in the first track to bringing it down a bit in the humbly written “Back to You” and ending things with the inspiring lyrics and vocals in “So In This Hour…”

This record definitely marks a transition from an indie to a major label for TRS. Do You Feel has a much bigger sound and has some strong elements that Hello Good Friend and Calendar Days did not. This is very evident in “So Much Love”. The song features Stevie Wonder’s horn section which could not have been more appropriately placed — I believe this song is the triumph of the album.

In today’s world of music and entertainment you are hard pressed to find artists who express themselves in a way that reaches out to others with a positive perspective. That is why Bryce Avary deserves the utmost respect for where he has placed himself in the music world. The first two Rocket Summer albums were themed with honesty and sincerity that was undeniable and that same earnestness can be found in listening to Do You Feel.

It is difficult for me to find much of anything to complain about when giving my thoughts on this record – it is everything that a long time fan of The Rocket Summer could ever want and it stretches beyond that to reach a whole new group of soon to be Rocket Summer fans. The album in its entirely is an accomplishment for Bryce Avary that appropriately follows up his last records.

Be sure to check out the The Rocket Summer on the last weeks of warped tour and then into the fall as they open up for the Sleeping with Giants tour headlined by The Academy Is… If you have never been to a Rocket Summer show before and you love the cd you are in for the time of your life. The power from Bryce’s live performance combined with dedication and excitement from the fans creates an unstoppable dance party that you are sure to want to be a part of.

Track Listing
1. Break It Out
2. So Much Love
3. Do You Feel
4. Save
5. All I Have
6. High Life Scenery
7. A Song Is Not A Business Plan
8. Taken Aback
9. Colors
10. Run To You
11. Hold It Up
12. Waiting
13. So, In This Hour…

Staff Recommendations August 12, 2007

By Leave a Comment

Bryce Jacobson
Be sure to give Mae‘s new album a listen on their MySpace page. Also check out Every Avenue who’s new EP, AH!, will be in stores this Tuesday.

Adam Weidman
Check out Broadway Calls, they’re a great up and coming gritty pop-punk band. As well as Envy on the Coast, whose new record Lucy Gray hit stores last week.

Sam Anacker
Both Simian and You Say Party! We Say Die! have been hogging my play time. YSP! WSD! has their new release, Lose All Time dropping in the U.S. on August 18.  And, if you’d like to see the charred remains of Simian, check out .

Chaser – Numb America

By 4 Comments

Chaser

Artist: Chaser
Album: Numb America
Label: Felony Records
Purchase: CD Baby
Release Date: 2006

Overall: 8.0
Music: 7.5
Lyrics: 8.0
Production: 8.0

Numb America is an album that will be compared to Pennywise and Western Addiction. Although they have two different sounds, you will find a similarity to them in the band Chaser.

I listened to it once, and thought it was good punk music with great lyrics. Then I set the album aside for some time and found myself listening to it again to see if I still felt the same. That second time around I found myself listening to “Status”, “Autopilot: Mind Your Own”, “Set It Off” and “Great Unknown” with the volume turned up a little more than previously set. This is a punk band with a California edge. Your going to have your political songs with the fast paced rhythm and the song about the O.C scene…or lack of according to them but its a great package of music your going to have.  The reason I compared them above to Pennywise and Western Addiction was that in some songs I heard a similarity to Pennywise earlier work and then as I was shuffling through my ipod for another similarity I found Western Addiction. Although Western Addiction sound is faster and harder they both have that punk rock edge that I feel Chaser holds. This record is quite good and whether they get to be as big as Pennywise, Bad Religion or any other punk band its up to you, we’ll have to wait and see.

Track Listing
1. New Beginning
2. Status
3. Numb America
4. California Redemption
5. Autopilot: Mind Your Own
6. Set it Off
7. Know Your Way
8. Dust in the Wind
9. World Routing
10. Great Unknown
11. Business Plan
12. Existence is All We Share
13. Backup (All the Arms We Need)
14. An Ode to Orange County and its Scene, or Lack Thereof