Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review




My Rocket Heart
Hang Ups and Let Downs



Album length: 11 tracks: 40 minutes, 31 seconds
Street Date: November, 2005


When it comes to unsigned bands, making a gusty move in recording or producing an album can either bring forth a surprisingly professional-sounding album, or it can spell disaster.

Stemming from the state of Florida, indie rock band My Rocket Heart pulled a feat that few bands would even dare cross because of its risk factor, they recorded an entire project in just a day's time. Their primary purpose in doing this was to create an album that reflected the intensity of their live performances. An imposing question could be "does this cause any damaging effects to the band as a whole?"

The band's latest release Hang Ups and Let Downs begins with an acoustic, pop/rock number entitled "All the Same," which is about the unchanging patterns and motions of this world. A few songs focus on the issue of relationships, as expressed in the ballad "Chelsea Jane" and the slight Bleach-esque "She," which appear to be love songs to a significant other, but without clarifying whether or not they pertain to any of the members in the band. Songs like "Jesus" and "Broken Again" fortunately contain spiritually-based lyrics that are layered over a combination of synth pop guitars and melodic drum rhythms. The majority of Hang Ups and Let Downs contains a lot of the same (and sometimes repetitive) musical elements along with occasional memorable lyrical content. As already mentioned, the fact that the majority of this album was recorded in one day causes it to suffer greatly in overall production value and unfortunately falls short of capturing the intensity of a live performance.

Overall, it's very difficult to compare My Rocket Heart to bands that perform music of their same genre. Though they're a few steps behind bands like One Minute Halo and TomorrowToday (whose EP was produced by Pillar producer Travis Wyrick), MRH should be given credit for what they tried to accomplish, even though their project should have been given a longer time to develop and complete. However, if indie pop/rock is a genre that easily piques your interest and you tend to enjoy a raw and sometimes under-polished effort, then Hang Ups and Let Downs might be the album for you.

- Review date: 12/26/05, written by Paul Portell



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 


. Record Label: None
. Album length: 11 tracks: 40 minutes, 31 seconds
. Street Date: November, 2005
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. All the Same
  2. Save Me
  3. She
  4. 42nd Street
  5. Chelsea Jane
  6. Jesus
  7. Girl Sittin' Next to Me
  8. Cold December Day
  9. Broken Again
  10. Your Ears, My Diary
  11. Move On

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Tuesday, September 9, 2025
DC3 Bake Off - A COLORS SHOW - Single (independent)
Former Ruins In Your Field - Single (independent)
John Van Deusen Hallelujah Story - Single [Anotherland]

This Friday, September 12, 2025
ALBUMS
Jervis Campbell Good Grief! (independent)
Demon Hunter There Was A Light Here [Weapons MFG]
Roxanne Grace Try Again [DREAM]
The Heritage Home (Acoustic Sessions) - EP [Capitol CMG]
Ellie Holcomb Far Country [Capitol CMG]
Malcom Christopher II Purpose and Plan (independent)
Q-Flo & IAMOPB The Flo Pack II [Syntax]
Sower Contemporary Christian Machine - EP (independent)
twenty one pilots Breach [Fueled By Ramen]
tylerhateslife MENTAL HEALTH [Syntax]
Phil Wickham Song of the Saints [Fair Trade]
Matthew West Don't Stop Praying (Deluxe Edition) [Story House]

SINGLES
Pat Barrett Hard Part Of A Dream - Single [Capitol CMG]
BASECAMP Under the Blood (feat. Knaladeus) - Single [Polished Arrow Music]
Bethel Music, Jenn Johnson & Christine D'Clario No One Like The Lord [Nadie Como El Seņor] (Live) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Dan Bremnes Find Yourself - Single [Curb]
Vince Gill Go Rest High On That Mountain (Extended Version) - Single [UMG]
Matt Hammitt Days God Gave - Single (independent)
I.A.N., Jordy Sam & OnBeatMusic GOD DID IT - Single [Syntax]
Amy Jay Margins - Single (independent)
Jeff Deyo & Lisa Nicole I Could Sing of Your Love Forever - Single [NWN]
Jesus Culture My Vision (feat. Lindsey Arcaro) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Jordan L'Oreal Wildflowers - Single [Capitol CMG]
Perry LaHaie Thy Kingdom Come - Single [Frontiers]
Myles Maestro Time Bomb (Until I'm Gone) - Single [Syntax]
Tommee Profitt A Hero's Return (Instrumental) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Matt Redman Praise To The Most High (feat. Joe L Barnes) - Single [Integrity]
Lexly Nirvana Mood ft. Michael Luis - Single [Syntax]
Solachi Voz Test of Time - Single [Syntax]
The Undertaking! Forever Remember - Single (independent)
VOTA Magical - Single (independent)
Josh Wright Nobody Loves Like You - Single (independent)

Next Friday, September 19, 2025
ALBUMS
Sho Baraka Midnight of a Good Culture (independent)
Dave Barnes The Songs That Got Away (independent)
Influence Music One True God (independent)
LO Worship Songs For the Anxious Heart [Integrity]
Mainstream Worship Dwelling Place [DREAM Worship]
Lauren Mann Heaven - EP (independent)
Mat & Savanna Just How Strong You Are (independent)
Joel Vaughn TBA [DREAM]
Zane Walls Dry Bones - EP [DREAM]
Zach Williams Jesus Loves [Provident]
Paul Wright GOD SONGS (independent)

SINGLES
Frankie Orella Like This - Single (independent)
John Waller & WallerCo & Eric Lee Brumley Surprise Me - Single [DREAM]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images