Typically, I do not get too vulnerable in my posts, but it is really hard to say anything about The Rocket Summer (TRS) without sharing why this music means the world to me. A friend introduced me to TRS in my early twenties, around the same time the sophomore album Hello, Good Friend was released. I was so intrigued by the talent of the man behind the solo venture, Bryce Avary, and the optimism of the album and became a fan immediately.
Now, fast forward a few years and a few TRS albums later to me having my first child. I had always heard about the joy of becoming a mother, but I was not adequately warned of the possibility of despair that might come along with it. I felt immense joy when I saw my precious baby for the first time. He was, and still is, such a wonderful soul. Call it what you will, postpartum depression or mommy blues, but the sadness set in and I genuinely thought I would never be happy again. I put on a brave face, but I felt empty and alone. Even with support around me I did not think anything would make me feel whole again.
Then, by some miracle, I chose to play a TRS song and felt a little better for the first time in a while. For the first time in weeks I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. I had every single album by TRS on repeat for at least a year afterwards because I could not mentally bring myself to listen to anything else, and when I tried to veer away to a different artist, it felt as if my brain were taking a beating. Eventually, I started to feel like myself again. I really do not know what I would have done without TRS’s music during that time. It gave me hope, it made me smile, and was the light I needed when I felt surrounded by darkness. Music like this is the reason I have a blog. My hope is to share music that might help someone, wherever they may be in this mortal journey.
TRS’s seventh album,Sweet Shivers, is here, and it is brilliant. The layering, distorted guitar sounds and attention demanding bass lines have my neurons in overdrive in the best way possible. This is music therapy at its finest. Blast “5 4 3 2 1 Z” and dance your worries away, press play on “The World’s Greatest” as a reminder to be hopeful when you feel lost, or crank up “Slomo” and soak up the beauty of the world while taking a long drive in a vintage convertible (if you can do that sort of thing). “Morning Light” is probably my favorite track on the album. You can feel the weight of darkness doing everything in its power to push you down in the production of the tune while the lyrics give you the optimism you need to fight back. And, I have to give a nod to the flute part in “Apartment 413.” I guess it is time to dust off my flute and give her a play.
I hope TRS brings a little peace your way today. He will be touring very soon (Charlotte here I come!). Click here for more info.