Do You Feel (CD - 2007)

Additional personnel: Martin Gregg (saxophone); Steve Madaio (trumpet); Nicholas Lane (trombone); Patrick Warren (chamberlin); Jim Wirt (bass guitar).

On his 2007 major-label debut, DO YOU FEEL, the one-man-band known as the Rocket Summer--aka Bryce Avary--delivers on the promise of his indie releases, coming across like a less angst-ridden Dashboard Confessional on a power-pop kick. In addition to Avary's multi-instrumental skills and boy-next-door charm, the young Texan performer excels at crafting immediately engaging arrangements, as best embodied by the joyous, piano-driven "So Much Love," which hints at his strong Christian faith. An ambitious and assured artist, Avary fully displays his considerable talents on the emotive DO YOU FEEL, an album that will likely win over a legion of both CCM and secular fans.

Now 24 years old and signed to Island Records, Bryce Avary found himself more suited than ever to bring his guitar-fueled power pop to the masses. It didn't seem possible for Avary to create more hook-filled, summertime pop than what he crafted on his first two indie releases, yet that's precisely what he did on Do You Feel. Avary continued to prove his mastery of piano-laced pop that sounded like a cross between Ben Folds, the Swift, and Relient K. His vocals remained in the Justin Timberlake/Michael Jackson range, which only seemed to increase his appeal. In addition to his unbelievable stage energy, Avary sang practically every note with an unparalleled passion. He also demonstrated his musical adeptness, once again writing and performing the entire album himself (vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards). Lest anyone discredit Avary or his moniker, the Rocket Summer, for a lack of depth or diversity, first single "So Much Love" featured a horn section like that heard on Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life. What further cemented the prodigy's likableness was how genuinely he shunned the rock star life (see "High Life Scenery" for a scathing portrayal of the celeb lifestyle) and how much he preferred to spread the gospel of love ("Break It Out," "Hold It Up," "Waiting," for starters). In other words, practically everything about the Rocket Summer and this major-label debut album would impress any critic. ~ Jared Johnson minimize