I try not to gush when I write a review. It’s not what a reviewer does. Professionalism and all.
I’ll try to dial it back, but no promises.
Let’s start at the beginning. I’m not sure how Rocket initially caught my attention. Probably the algorithm gods; they get it right occasionally. Most likely a live set on KEXP.
Rocket is the real deal. An organic band, this is a group of childhood friends who started playing together during the pandemic in a backyard shed. The shed couldn’t contain that sound though. The rest of us are better off because of it.
Their story is compelling, but the music matters more. Rocket’s strength comes from the connection between its members and the sound they’ve built together.
From Backyard Shed to Breakout Debut
Rocket is made up of vocalist and bassist Alithea Tuttle, guitarists Desi Scaglione and Baron Rinzler, and drummer Cooper Ladomade.
Their sound resists easy description, but not for lack of identity. The guitars dive into chaos, but Tuttle’s voice grounds everything and restores order. Her vocals sit clearly above the mix, giving the songs an emotional center. Even at their loudest and fuzziest, a strong melody always cuts through.
Their sound pulls from a familiar palette. Layers of distorted guitars recall ’90s alt-rock and shoegaze, but “R is For Rocket” pushes that sound forward and makes it their own.
R is For Rocket
As soon as I heard that KEXP show, I went straight to Bandcamp and picked up a copy of “R is For Rocket.” The day it arrived I rushed it to my turntable, dropped the needle and settled into my chair.
As the opening track, “The Choice” kicks in, we’re hit with a few seconds of what sounds like chaos (a perfect foreshadowing), until a steady drumbeat brings structure. Then Alithea’s supernal vocals come in, and everything locks into place.
The song keeps building until it suddenly doesn’t, and before you realize it, you’re into the second track, “Act Like Your Title,” driven by a deep, fuzzy bassline that keeps things moving at a brisk pace. The Nirvana-esque crunch of “Crossing Fingers” certainly keeps the momentum rolling.
Working through side A feels like a journey, each song a smaller arc within the whole. After “One Million” I was ready to call it my favorite on the album. I would find out it’s way too early in the record to make that call. Drummer Cooper Ladomade adds gorgeous harmonies beneath Alithea’s lead, and paired with strong guitar work and introspective lyrics, it lands as one of the album’s standout moments.
“Another Second Chance” closes out side A. As I stood up to flip the record, I caught myself thinking, “no, you can’t just hear that once,” and dropped the needle back at the song’s start. At 5:05, it’s the second longest track on the album, but one pass still isn’t enough.
It opens with vocals and guitar, immediately familiar, like you already know where it’s headed. Then, around the halfway mark, it shifts. The guitars hit harder, the drums push forward, and somehow Tuttle’s voice becomes even more ethereal.
The song closes on shimmering guitar tones, fading into a wash of reverb that feels like wind. Only then does side A finally let you go.
Side B Doesn’t Ease Up
“Pretending” drops you right back into the album’s momentum, a hard-driving track built on the guitar interplay between Scaglione and Rinzler, full of sharp, memorable riffs.
Side A felt like a journey. In hindsight, it was the setup. Side B is the release.
“Crazy” continues that energy with another riff-driven push before ending abruptly and giving way to the acoustic opening of “Number One Fan.” The transition feels intentional, almost jarring by design.
R is For Rocket is dedicated to Alithea’s father, who passed away unexpectedly during the making of the album. Sean Tuttle is described as “Our number one fan” on the album insert.
From the opening line of “Don’t ya know that I’ve been doing just fine” you can feel the shift. The energy softens, and the emotional weight settles in. With Tuttle’s vocal delivery, the track plays like a dream.
They don’t leave you there for long.
“Wide Awake” lives up to its name. There’s no gentle return. The album snaps back to life with urgency and energy, and suddenly you’re right back in it. This is where those “this might be my favorite track” thoughts start creeping in again.
The title track, “R is For Rocket,” closes the album by pulling everything together and pushing it further. Heavy, soaring guitars, driving basslines, and tight, in-the-pocket drumming create a finish that feels both explosive and controlled. Hard, but melodic. Chaotic, but precise. Maybe this one is the favorite?
Everything About Rocket feels Intentional
The album flows as a complete experience, meant to be heard from beginning to end, not broken apart into individual tracks. Listening any other way feels like missing the point.
Their wall of sound, whether live or recorded, never collapses under its own weight. The chaos always resolves. The melodies always land.
There’s no nostalgia play here. Rocket isn’t trying to bring anything back. This sound belongs to them, shaped and refined on the road, sharpened through constant playing.
Rocket is the real deal. That was worth repeating.
