CD Review: The Rocker Summer Visits Connecticut While Goth Babe And Hold/Transfer Release EPs

Multi-instrumentalist Bryce Avary is releasing his sixth studio album this February titled "Zoetic" under the name The Rocket Summer. Avary writes, records and produces all of his albums, and his last three albums have cracked the top 60 on the Billboard albums chart. He is also headed out on tour, which includes a stop at The Space in Hamden, CT on March 25th. The new eleven-song release begins with the intense, electronic build-up of "Cold War" as The Rocket Summer incorporates elements of hard rock, techno and pop to create an exciting piece of music. His rhythms are wildly attractive as with "UNI" and "Get Over It" as he continues to create what he loves instead of what's popular. He lets up on the beats for the meaningful delivery of "You Are, You Are," before diving back in with the intense "Rule Of Thirds Kind Of Life." The album finishes with the fun, up-tempo beats of "Emergency Landings." To find out more about The Rocket Summer and his latest release "Zoetic," please visit therocketsummer.com.

From Nashville comes the new EP from garage rocker Goth Babe. It features five songs seeped in fuzztone, grunge guitar and a steady, rock rhythm. The lyrics almost seem meaningless behind the growling guitars of "In My Head" as that is where the song's excitement lies. Goth Babe picks up the energy with "Bummed Out," which has a punk-like feel to it and lays down the perfect track for Goth culture with "Wasted Time." Goth Babe showcases the early grunge influence on the raw feel of "Sunshine." To find out more about Goth Babe and the latest EP, please visit facebook.com/gothbabetn.

From Boston comes the latest EP from indie-rockers Hold/Transfer titled "Destined For Lesser Things." This duo keeps things simple with a rawness to their sound as displayed in the opener "Complete Control," before picking up the tempo with the modern alternative sound of "Erase." The short six-song album closes with the up-beat, early R.E.M-feel of "Blue Mind" and the punk-like attitude of "Pick The Carcass." To find out more about Hold/Transfer and their latest release "Destined For Lesser Things," please visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/holdtransfer.