Rocketboys’ ‘Build Anyway’ brings strong atmosphere

Joey Berlin | August 29, 2012 | 0 Comments

The Rocketboys may be an indie band, but on their second full-length album, Build Anyway, they hardly sound like one. Atmosphere is everything in the Austin, Texas, band’s sound, and Build Anyway delivers plenty of that – there are big-time anthemic choruses, vocal harmonies all over the place, and it all comes through loud and clear, without any hint of lo-fi scuzz. Fortunately, none of it ever feels too calculated; these guys are good at setting their mood, and it helps that they’ve put together a nice set of songs to dress into what, ultimately, is a solid semi-mainstream rock sound.

Build Anyway is an album full of moods. Though a few notable moments of optimism come through in the group’s lyrics, it’s the darker moments that shine most: times when singer Brandon Kinder is standoffish, despairing, cathartic or self-critical. On the opening track, “Bloodless,” he eerily sings, “I was a paper mache house with a match under it/Now I’m a brand new ghost town.” Soon, he and the rest of the band leap into an abrupt, guitar-driven chorus that sets the stage for many effective dynamic shifts to come. In “Time is a Devil,” he sounds like he’s priming to rip into a former love who left him before suddenly deciding, “I don’t wanna talk about it.” “Marching to the Palace” has a similar controlled anger: “Let me explain if you don’t understand it/This isn’t going the way that we planned it/And it’s not my fault.”

Though things get plenty loud during the album’s biggest crescendos, the Rocketboys aren’t a crew that’s going to rock out on you. Occasionally, their melodic flow, pacing and dynamic shifting bring Coldplay to mind. In fact, “Carry Me,” one of the album’s highlights, sounds like something that Chris Martin and Co. would make into a huge, inescapable hit. But even if you’re one of those who’s not fond of Coldplay’s form of songcraft, chances are you’ll like these guys’ version of it better.

At their best, the Rocketboys produce an engrossing power, and they’re even capable of giving you goosebumps. If there’s a major complaint, it’s that there’s not much stylistic diversity here; again and again, the guitar backing forms a driving wall, vocal harmonies swoop and fall, and Kinder’s vocals are at the forefront. For some, it might sound a little overproduced. But these songs are focused – none of them go over five minutes – and the lyrics stay direct. Build Anyway is accessible, enjoyable ambient rock from a band that has a good understanding of how to take that genre and make a good record out of it.

The Rocket Boys are currently on tour with Bearcat and are making a stop in Kansas City on September 2nd at Riot Room. Check back for our recap of the show or better yet check em out yourself. (See tour dates below)

The Rocketboys- Build Anyway

Bloodless
Marching to the Palace
Time is a Devil
Walking on Fire
These Are Hard Times
A Liar
Carry Me
Someday Soon
Hallowed Ground
The Best

The Rocket Boys on Tour

Aug 30 – Lubbock, TX @ Bash Riprocks

Aug 31 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Conservatory

Sept 1 – Tulsa, OK @ Vanguard Music Hall

Sept 3 – Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews

Sept 4 – Chicago, IL @ The Ace Bar

Sept 5 – Indianapolis, IN @ Hoosier Dome

Sept 6 – Pontiac, MI @ Vernor’s Room

Sept 7 – Pittsburg, PA @ The Smiling Moose

Sept 8 – New York, NY @ The Living Room

Sept 10 – New York, NY @ Studio at Webster Hall

Sept 11 – Hamden, CT @ The Space

Sept 12 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fire

Sept 13 – Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java

Sept 14 – Cleveland, OH @ Wilbert’s

Sept 15 – Louisville, KY @ Uncle Slayton’s

Sept 16 – St Louis, MO @ Cicero’s

Sept 17 – Knoxville, TN @ Barley’s Taproom

Sept 19 – Nashville, TN @ High Watt at Mercy Lounge

Sept 20 – Atlanta, GA @ The Vinyl

Sept 21 – Columbus, GA @ Gallery 13

Sept 22 – Oxford, MS @ Two Stick Sushi Bar

Sept 24 – Memphis, TN @ 1884 Lounge

Sept 25 – Little Rock, AR @ Stickyz

Sept 26 – Mobile, AL @ Alabama Music Box

Sept 28 – Tampa, FL @ New World Brewery

Sept 29 – Tallahassee, FL @ Club Downunder

Sept 30 –Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub

Oct 1 –Jacksonville, FL @ Burro Bar

Oct 2 – Macon, GA @ Hummingbird

Oct 3 – Athens, GA @ New Earth Music Hall & Taproom

Oct 4 – Charlotte, NC @ The Evening Muse

Oct 5 – West Columbia, SC @ Conundrum

Nov 2 – Waco, TX @ Common Grounds*

Joey Berlin

Product of Kansas City suburbia who inhales pop culture old and new. Among other things, I'm a fan of fried chicken, college basketball, Crown Royal and rock 'n' roll. Find four things that make life more fulfilling. I dare you.