The Rocketboys and 20,000 Ghosts Stuns

Composed of six guys who met in college, The Rocketboys formed in late 2005 and over the next three years found time to record two EP's and two live DVD's, set out on their own and toured around the country as well as their native state and then managed to all get their degrees. Having pretty much exhausted every opportunity in their native Abilene and holding degrees in hand they packed up and moved to an even bigger college town: Austin. Once in Austin the band settled in and began working their new hometown for everything it was worth. With all this experience and education the band eventually found the time to finally record their debut full length album, 20,000 Ghosts, and it's a doozy.

Sounding something like the missing link between The Doves and Coldplay, The Rocketboys clearly know how to write the big rock song and do it so well there's not a single bad track on 20,000 Ghosts. Whether it's because they're all college educated or simply because they have the knack for songwriting, these guys piece together absolutely massive songs with riffs that soar towards the heavens and lyrics that could even warm the heart of Scrooge. 20,000 Ghostssimply put is stupendously superior stuff that's grand on any scale imaginable. It's hard to describe just how surprisingly good this record is, but if you've ever thought that Coldplay knew how to write a big melodic pop song, you haven't heard anything yet. Let's just say this, 20,000 Ghosts is the sort of thing that would make Chris Martin blush and make Gwyneth get all swoony!

With their music in the heavens and the expansive soundscapes they create seeming to go on forever, The Rocketboys have done a fantastic job at writing an album that fills every possible expanse of your heart, ears, and mind. From the airy, "Like Ice in Water," to the far reaching vocals of, "We Are A Lighthouse," 20,000 Ghosts is a brilliant record that sounds far more mature then it's debut status would let on. The Rocketboys are truly awesome songwriters and musicians and anyone that says soaring pop songs have lost their relevance clearly has not heard 20,000 Ghosts.This record is just about essential, especially in todays trying times.