Rocket ignite alt rock reverence on a trajectory for authenticity with 'R Is For Rocket'
Thirty years ago alternative rock’s mainstream revolution was in its earliest days. The breakthrough tidal wave of grunge had subsided, leaving a clear channel forward for a myriad of diverse artists from the underground to chart a course directly for audiences hungry for fresh perspectives and authentic voices. Like the ebb and flow of tidal currents, alt rock eventually ceded its FM dominance to nü metal, then the garage rock revival, then indie, etcetera, etcetera. But now those seas are rising again, delivering a fresh wave of new alternative from young bands adapting sounds and styles re-discovered from the forgotten CD binders of older siblings, reverently referenced like ancient tomes from a forgotten age.
On the leading edge of the burgeoning revival, Los Angeles’ Rocket has been steadily gaining altitude toward the recent release of their debut full length LP. Sharing a title and thematic similarities with Ray Bradbury’s acclaimed compilation of mid-century sci-fi short stories, R Is For Rocket stands on a similarly hopeful platform. Vividly composed tales of youth and young adulthood on the precipice of the unknown swirl and and burst with fiery insistence and optimistic intent, resolute in the face of turbulence on the path towards a future of one’s own design. It’s a timeless approach, and one that neatly compliments Rocket’s approach to using distinct sounds to craft stories that rise above passing trends to tap into the wider communal experience of growing up that remains a common thread across the generations.
At face value, R Is For Rocket can certainly be considered a throwback record, but the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail is breathtaking and demonstrates the band’s impressive skill at conjuring forth such a massive sound that is considerably more than straight up hero worship to revel in the power of the alternative rock tradition. With a trajectory that tacks closely with the artful muscularity of early Smashing Pumpkins, imbued with the alchemical combination of melodic charm and pummeling percussion of Foo Fighter’s The Colour And The Shape, Rocket find new ways to broaden their spectrum of influence by folding in dreamy shoegaze elements that recall the intoxicating fearlessness of Swervedriver and the emotional honesty of R.E.M.
From the skittering opening moments of “The Choice,” Rocket waste little time diving headlong into meaty compositions that thrum like booster engines primed for orbit, unfurling on the opening track with monumental splendor and a thrilling cacophony that focuses white-hot kinetic energy into a bold statement of intention that carries throughout the record. Even when the tempo slows, the band maintains a tangible presence that presses forward like an exuberant crowd against the barricades at the front of the stage.
Hooks and harmonies carry forward themes of love and loss, personal resilience and youthful frustrations, beating with the furious heart of an intrepid explorer facing all the challenges and glories life has to offer with open arms and clear eyes. From the infinite patience of “One Million” to the absolutely massive “Another Second Chance,” Rocket pursue connections with a deeper meaning, peeling back the layers of the superficial to find common ground and unite in camaraderie both romantic and platonic with the recognition that a full life is one shared completely with those that matter most. “Number One Fan” swings like a gentle lullaby, carried on a brilliant bassline and electric piano to foster a reassuring sensation of genuine contentment, until the track begins to come unglued with a discordant undercurrent revealing an obsessive dark side that lurks just below the surface.
As “Number One Fan” hints, Rocket don’t shy away from a fight. Big, aggressive elements driving the narrative on the alt shoegaze bruiser “Crazy” and the colossal riffs of “Wide Awake” that recall the grungy churn and metallic buzz of post-hardcore heroes Quicksand. These moments offer glimpses onto another facet of Rocket’s persona, a confrontational edge that stands up for what’s right rather than lashing out with unfocused anger, deepening the album’s wider sentiments of authentic connection.
R Is For Rocket is a catalyst, an explosively rendered expression of immeasurably hopeful intent gleaming with the promise of a bright future and the endless possibilities that lie just beyond the horizon of the familiar.
R Is For Rocket is available now, get it on CD and limited vinyl here. Follow Rocket on Instagram.
Upcoming Shows
OCT 27 - Phoenix, AZ — Rebel Lounge
OCT 30 - Denton, TX — Rubber Gloves
OCT 31 - Austin, TX — Mohawk (indoors)
NOV 03 - Nashville, TN — drkmttr
NOV 04 - Atlanta, GA — Aisle 5
NOV 06 - Washington, DC — DC9
NOV 07 - Philadelphia, PA — Warehouse on Watts
NOV 08 - New York, NY — Baby’s All Right
NOV 11 - Toronto, ON — The Garrison
NOV 13 - Columbus, OH — Ace of Cups
NOV 14 - Chicago, IL — Schubas Tavern
NOV 15 - Minneapolis, MN — 7th St Entry
NOV 18 - Seattle, WA — Barboza
NOV 19 - Portland, OR — Polaris Hall
NOV 21 - San Francisco, CA — Bottom of the Hill
NOV 22 - Los Angeles, CA — The Roxy
FEB 10 - Bristol, UK — The Croft
FEB 11 - Leeds, UK — Brudenell Social Club
FEB 12 - Glasgow, UK — King Tuts
FEB 14 - Dublin, IE — The Workmans Club
FEB 16 - Manchester, UK — The Deaf Institute
FEB 17 - London, UK — Scala
FEB 19 - Brussels, BE — Witloof Bar
FEB 20 - Rotterdam, NL — Rotown
FEB 21 - Utrecht, NL — EKKO
FEB 23 - Berlin, DE — Neue Zukunft
FEB 24 - Cologne, DE — Bumann & SOHN
FEB 26 - Paris, FR — Point Éphémère
FEB 27 - Tourcoing, FR — Le Grand Mix