R is for Rocket
R is for Rocket has been making quite a bit of noise since it’s release. After all, Rocket fans were well-prepared for it’s release. The band had built a following in their years spent working for bigger, popular groups like Ride, Silversun Pickups, and Frank Black. So, upon their announcement of their first debut record, it was something to look forward to for their audience of fans ready to excitedly recieve it.
The fanbase and critics alike seem pleased. The latter has been surpirsingly positive about the record. It almost feels like they are… babying them? I can’t help but get the impression that they are cutting the young band some slack. I feel as though this is attributed to their good production, which acts as a cover for the fact that they aren’t doing anything new. Sure, the instrumentals are well-arranged. But goddamn, I’m bored.
The band has gone on-record saying that their music is for them. They put out what they like. I actually like this music-making approach, as it is rooted in authenticity, fun, and friendship. I can’t, therefore, blame Rocket for not breaking new ground with this debut. At the same time, they didn’t have to make all the songs sound so similar. While there are some that are better than others (One Million or Another Second chance, which flexes some of the albums best lyrics: "What if you open me up and decide its not enough” and "I wanna be the one to make it out of your dreams"), there are plenty that blend into eachother to create the same shade of meh.
There are some nice lyrics here and there. Noteably: "What if you open me up and decide its not enough "I wanna be the one to make it out of your dreams"
Certainly, I can appreciate the band’s attempt at a 90’s revival grunge sound. But ultimately, it is imperfect as an attempt, leaving it somewhere closer to the shoegaze indie rock bands of the modern day, of which there are many - and many of which do it better (cough cough Brits).
Ultimately, as long as we acknowledge that R is for Rocket is not anything new, I’m not bothered by its presence in the indie scene. But I will probably be skipping on these songs.
