Album Review: Rocket - R is for Rocket

Rocket

R is for Rocket

***and1/2 out of *****

For their full length debut, the Los Angeles based band Rocket rips back into the mid 90's with alt-rock abandon. R is for Rocket is a confident slice of rock when that seems rarer and rarer in today's market. 

The band, Vocals, Bass, Keyboards - Alithea Tuttle, Guitar, Keyboards - Desi Scaglione, Guitar, Keyboards - Baron Rinzler, Drums - Cooper Ladomade, stated their throwback intentions on their excellent debut EP, Versions of You. Their sound is drenched in layers of guitars and works swimmingly throughout their first full length.    

R is for Rocket kicks off with "The Choice" that uses upbeat drumming, ringing guitars and a mix of revved up angst and spacey goodness. "Act Like Your Title" follows it up with excellent vocals, a breezy feel and fuzzy guitars. Both tracks instantly clue you into one of Rocket's main influences, Smashing Pumpkins.  

Early Pumpkins is all over this album, but the band certainly puts their own spin on things as "One Million" is an album highlight. The standout track is large, with arena soaring power behind monster drums, targeted bass lines, breathy vocals and crushing/soaring guitars. The effort is a strong testament to the bands talent and drive. 

The group is confident with the heavy "Crossing Fingers", the feedback shaking groove of "Wide Awake" and the straight ahead title track. "Number One Fan" shift gears a bit, moving to acoustic strums, swaying bass and warbling keys in dreamy balladry fashion. 

For the majority of the album though the band is content to rock out as the clanging aggressive "Pretending" recalls Veruca Salt and the layers of hazy feedback during "Crazy" plays a lot like Silversun Pickups. 

A confident offering of grunge inspired alt-rock, R is for Rocket has the Rocket quartet primed to launch. 

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