REVIEW: Pave The Rocket, Taken In (Deep Elm)
- Jason Cahill
Every once in a while a band will come along and, quite simply, grab you by the collar, slap you in the face and force you to remember exactly what it was that first drove you into the waiting, hopeful and undiscriminating arms of independent music. A band with sheer force and absolute passion, playing music that exists in a world without rules, without boundaries. Pave The Rocket is that band. From the opening chords of Taken In you just know you're listening to something very special and very unique. The reason we all started listening in the first place.
As a band, Pave The Rocket haven't been around all that long, only a few years. Taken In is their debut release for New York City independent label Deep Elm Records. Despite their relative inexperience, however, the St. Louis based foursome have managed to put together an album laced with a maturity and emotional dissonance some bands never seem to find.
Musically, Pave The Rocket's sound seems most influenced by Sunny Day Real Estate and Pond, bands with a unique ability to combine force driven guitars with atmospheric and soft melodies and vocals. The songs on Taken In are raw and powerful, intense and all too moving. Highlights include the album's first two songs, "Drool" and "Remora", perfect examples of what can be accomplished with a low budget and a who cares attitude. On the beautiful ballad, "Little One", the band showcases their ability to write poignant, heartfelt lyrics while still maintaining that raw, unfiltered sound. Reminiscent of early Smashing Pumpkins, it bleeds intensity and shows a versatility most bands often lack.
With its mature and emotional lyrics, and a sound which is both blistering and brave, Taken In is easily the best independent release in quite some time.
