Recent Reviews

December 2024

November 2024

October 2024

September 2024

August 2024

[ More Music Reviews ]


Rockett Love: Galactic Circus
Rockett Love - Galactic Circus Album Art

Rockett Love: Galactic Circus

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR
4.5/5.0

Facebook Twitter
Pride & Joy Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 26.09.2023 | Released: 22.09.2023

Formed eight years ago, Rockett Love hails from the fertile classic rock soil of Sweden. Within two years the band dropped their self-produced debut album Grab The Rocket for AOR Heaven Records (RIP:2022). 2019 arrived with their second effort, also self-produced, Greetings From Rocketland with mixing and mastering by Eclipse's Erik Martensson. Both albums established the band in their native country, and also the European theater, thanks to their energetic live shows. Now, Rockett Love returns with their latest and third studio album Galactic Circus on the Pride & Joy Music label (successor to AOR Heaven).

Rockett Love - Click For Larger Image

Rockett Love

The Rockett Love sound could be best described as classic Eighties melodic hard rock, driven by twin guitars, and wrapped up in AOR accessibility. The arrangements turn upon strong hooks in riffs, song melody, vocal harmony, catchy refrains, and fiery guitar solos. Some listeners might find that the twin guitar gives their sound noticeable metal edge.


Giving the eleven songs a spin, you might find that sharper edge with Last Men Standing, Too Much Water Under The Bridge, or Never Look Back. Even so, those songs are tempered by song melody and vocal harmony; they just hit a little harder. Alternatively, there's a song like Fly Away, a rock anthem that turns upon the vocal arrangement and synth embellishment. Under The Gun throws a curve with it's muted start, only to rip into riffs and an initial guitar solo. Then slows the pace, becoming riff solid and big beat heavy. You return to a riff rocker with On The Radio, a signature song with solid groove and a catchy chorus.

Finally, Rockett Love offers listeners a cover of The Tubes Talk To Ya Later. It's an interesting choice in that The Tubes were/are more of a vaudevillian theatrical glam rock band (opposite and lighter side of Alice Cooper). I was never a fan, but this song I remember. Rockett Love turns the song into crisp, heavier rocker without forfeiting the song's original melody, vocal harmony, synth solo, and guitar solo. I liked it.

Most things considered, Rockett Love's Galactic Circus is a fine platter of classic melodic hard rock with strong guitar work, an attention to song melody and vocal harmony, then wrapped up in AOR accessibility. Very recommended.




CraigHartranft.net - New fiction, crime fiction by Craig Hartranft

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.


The Take Away

Rockett Love's Galactic Circus is a fine platter of classic melodic hard rock with strong guitar work, an attention to song melody and vocal harmony, then wrapped up in AOR accessibility. Very recommended.

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
New & Notable
Read the Powell-Payne: Voilá Album Review

The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]

November 2024 Stats
  • Views: 16K
  • Active Users: 4.2K
  • New Users: 3.5K
  • Event Count: 45K

    • Source: Google Analytics