Musical Style and Influence
Often labeled as power pop, The Rocket Summer's music has developed a reputation for its positively infused sentiments, optimistic lyrics, and upbeat rhythms, with emphasis on Avary's distinctive, high-pitched vocals and instrumental diversity that has drawn comparisons to Ben Folds, The Swift, Relient K, Justin Timberlake, and Michael Jackson.
The Dallas Observer's Pete Freedman wrote of this constructed image: "That's the persona he's carefully crafted—a sort of happy-go-lucky caricature of a young man willing to take the dreaded sad and sappy emo tag his music's been labeled with, turn it on its head and give it a positive message." Rick Anderson of Allmusic described his music as a range of "headlong blasts of pure power pop cheer" to "sonata form" and ballads—all of which Anderson categorized as "infectiously joyful." The Rocket Summer's music is marked by his use of guitar, piano, bass, percussion, and melodic hooks. Avary's two largest musical influences growing up were The Beatles and Michael Jackson.
The Rocket Summer's more recent albums, including the 2010 release Of Men and Angels, have shown a shift in style and content from his earlier releases, with more focus on an indie rock and alternative sound, as well as on more mature subject material. Avary has cited these changes as "natural" products of "growth and ... spiritual growth."
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