No need for skates, sticks, or a puck, but keep the helmet because every party needs a solider and Hockey’s Mind Chaos could be just the right recipe for a dance party disaster. There is no trick to this four-piece band’s (shout outs to Portland, OR) debut album title, Mind Chaos, as it is a blizzard of electro, alternative, funk, and campfire folk. The singer’s voice is breathy with a strong Bob Dylan sounding demeanor, particularly on tracks like “Four Holy Photos” (with harmonica playing just like Dylan), “Song Away,” and the ballad “Everyone’s the Same Age,” which is a song my father would romantically slow dance with my mother to in their living room.
Back to the party scene with ladies-in-their-high-heels type tracks. Start with the need to repeat “3 AM Spanish” with my favorite lyrics, “I messed up my life, cause the time was right, and it was so much fun.” Then blast the mumblingly sung single “Too Fake” with my other favorite lyrics, “Cause I can’t even talk to you (you is elongated like youuuuuuuuuuuuu) about my affect on people.” Then press play on all-over-the-map track “Curse This City” and its girl-powered lyrics “It’s all about the millionaire guy.” Singer and infamous headband wearer Ben Grubin raps, then screams back into a rock beat, and progresses into a clapping reminiscent of a church choir on this track. This is not your vanilla-flavored dance pop.
When driving and listening to music it helps one to be content. Chill, but very happy. Therefore, tracks that immediately caught my attention were “Work” and “Wanna Be Black.” The funk and the beat composition in these tracks reveal a different side to Hockey.
Get weird and feel like you are in the time zone with songs like “Learn To Lose,” “Put the Game Down,” and “Preacher.”
Hopefully these cats make it to a sophomore collection and feel there is no needed to target a style. Just niche the “chaos” approach.
For more information on guitarist Brian White, bassist Jerm Reynolds, drummer Anthony Stassi, and singer Ben Brubin visit:
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November 9, 2009 | 4:17 pm
“May the headband live on in infamy!” This is album is awesome. Fun and easy to listen to no matter what you’re into. Totally agree that they should stick with the whole “Mind Chaos” concept. Great review, eh!
November 9, 2009 | 6:18 pm
saw em at bonnaroo such a great band and the review isn’t half bad either
November 10, 2009 | 7:34 pm
Def sounds like Bob Dylan!
November 10, 2009 | 7:37 pm
I agree Nick T! Love this band! Awesome review!
November 12, 2009 | 11:34 pm
“No need for skates, sticks, or a puck, but keep the helmet because every party needs a solider and Hockey’s Mind Chaos could be just the right recipe for a dance party disaster. ”
CLASSIC!
March 10, 2010 | 3:48 pm
[...] the name fool you; Hockey isn’t playing any games on their hipster, heightened new wave album, Mind Chaos. Hockey is making shots and taking [...]
