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Hockey

Mind Chaos

  • AMG Review of Mind Chaos

    Amg
    Heather Phares
    All Music Guide

    Hockey's debut, Mind Chaos, was initially going to be released by Sony Records -- the band even got as far as reworking some of its demos in the studio with producer Jerry Harrison -- but the album's fate was left in limbo when the label dropped the band. Mind Chaos got a new lease on life when Hockey's songs made their way to BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe, whose championing of the strutting "Learn to Lose" helped earned the band another major-label deal. It's easy to hear why two big labels were interested in Mind Chaos; Hockey's angular basslines, chugging guitars, and washy keyboards call to mind tried and true, new wave-tinged acts like the Strokes, OK Go, and the Killers. For most of the album, they don't stray far from this style, and considering that they had been around for a while before Mind Chaos's 2009 release, they sound effective, but not especially fresh. Most of the band's character resides in Ben Grubin's raspy vocals, which lie somewhere between a young Rod Stewart and the Strokes' Julian Casablancas, and his surprisingly smart lyrics. He's nothing if not self-aware: Grubin sings about writing "a truthful song over an '80s groove" on the Cars-like "Song Away," the only Harrison-produced song that ended up on Mind Chaos' final version. Elsewhere, his hyper-literate tales of self-loathing posers and late-night intrigue give Hockey an appealingly witty personality. When they stretch out, they get intriguing, if mixed, results: "Work" reveals a slinkier, smokier side to the band, as well as a disco fetish, while "Preacher" travels from a gospel-infused ballad to blazing rock. Mind Chaos is an uneven but promising debut. Considering how much difficulty Hockey experienced in getting it out, it'll be interesting to hear what they do with a (hopefully) easier road ahead of them.

Review: Hockey - Mind Chaos (* * * *)
about 1 month ago

Portland dance-rock band Hockey may be new to the scene, but they've already covered quite a bit of ground. They've toured on either side of the Atlantic, appearing on both the Jools Holland show and Jimmy Fallon, and created all sorts of well-deserved buzz on early singles like the infectious "Too Fake." After hearing a few tunes from the band, I was excited to get my hands on a copy of their ...

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Hockey - Mind Chaos
2 months ago

Hockey have been compared to LCD Soundsystem The Strokes and Talking Heads. But they have more in common with fellow Portland residents The Dandy Warhols in that there is something about their music that does not seem authentic. Sure, there is some Strokes swagger about opening track 'Too Fake', and there are definite LCD Soundsystem influences, but it isn't convincing.The aforementioned 'Too F...

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Hockey Announce Debut Record
7 months ago

Currently making waves both in their homeland of America and over here in the UK, Hockey have finally announced details of their debut album. Entitled Mind Chaos, the record is due for release on August 25th via Capitol Records and if you're thinking "hey, wait a second, I've already bought Hockey's Mind Chaos last year.

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Hockey
3 months ago
Quick Hits: Hockey plus some swell Remixes
6 months ago

Oregon’s Hockey have their self released Mind Chaos being re-released via Capitol Records to the masses this summer on June 23rd.  The lead single from it, “Too Fake”, has just enough dance, just enough LCD Soundsystem sound, and a smidgen of Strokes to make me pump it a little louder.mp3: Hockey - Too FakeHockey has [...]

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Hockey West Coast Tour Dates
1 day ago

Portland Oregon’s Hockey return to road this month to play a series of holiday radio shows and a string of January west coast dates. The quartet who released their debut album Mind Chaos (Capitol Records) in October kicked off their current run in Kansas City, MO and play shows through ...

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Hockey - Mind Chaos
2 months ago

Hockey have been compared to LCD Soundsystem The Strokes and Talking Heads. But they have more in common with fellow Portland residents The Dandy Warhols in that there is something about their music that does not seem authentic. Sure, there is some Strokes swagger about opening track 'Too Fake', and there are definite LCD Soundsystem influences, but it isn't convincing.The aforementioned 'Too F...

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Video: Hockey - Song Away
3 months ago

Here's the official music video for Hockey's track Song Away off their upcoming debut album Mind Chaos, due on October 6th.The video features the recently dumped Charlyne Yi who used to be going out with Michael Cera … up until Michael Cera quirky ways went from odd and awkward to cute and awesome.

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New Video: Hockey - "Song Away" featuring Charlyne Yi aka Michael Cera's Ex-GF
3 months ago

The official music video just debuted for Hockey's "Song Away" taken from the inspiring debut album Mind Chaos, which comes out October 6th. The video features the accidentally adorable Charlyne Yi from the film Paper Heart. Speaking of, I think I had a friend once who had a screen name of the same phrase. So clever y'all! By the way, is that movie any good?

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Hockey’s “Song Away” Is the Free Itunes Video Download Of The Week!
2 months ago

Hockey’s “Song Away” is featured as the free video download on iTunes this week. Watch the video here and then download it for free! Don’t forget to get a copy of their album Mind Chaos now on and Amazon!Related Posts:KSM Rock Good Morning America; Offer Free Download of "Read Between The Lines"Get Shut Up [...]

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Hockey new album Mind Chaos out now, tour with Portugal The Man, on TV (Kimmel 10/15)
2 months ago

Today is HOCKEY MIND CHAOS RELEASE DAY. If we could toss in some daunting, booming voice to announce this here, we would. So Use your imagination...Hockey is a band from Portland that has toured with the aggression of a bob cat and the determination of amazon worker ant all summer. ...

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Review: Hockey - Mind Chaos (* * * *)
about 1 month ago

Portland dance-rock band Hockey may be new to the scene, but they've already covered quite a bit of ground. They've toured on either side of the Atlantic, appearing on both the Jools Holland show and Jimmy Fallon, and created all sorts of well-deserved buzz on early singles like the infectious "Too Fake." After hearing a few tunes from the band, I was excited to get my hands on a copy of their ...

More >
Hockey – Too Fake, Song Away (Music Video)
3 months ago

I am loving this fresh wave of MGMT-esque music! Hockey seem to be the front-runners, garnering some sweet publicity all year long. I even hear their song, “Too Fake” on JC Penny commercials now. And man, is that a fun song.Hockey – Too Fakefrom Mind Chaos (out October 6th)There’s a RAC remix of “Too Fake” [...]

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Hockey: Mind Chaos
5 months ago

Deleted scenes are a big deal nowadays. Apparently, the editor is increasingly viewed as an authoritarian figure who illegitimately utilises the right to control what we see. Well here are this album's deleted lines. ". . . even better if you put it on ice.

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Hockey Announce Debut Record
7 months ago

Currently making waves both in their homeland of America and over here in the UK, Hockey have finally announced details of their debut album. Entitled Mind Chaos, the record is due for release on August 25th via Capitol Records and if you're thinking "hey, wait a second, I've already bought Hockey's Mind Chaos last year.

More >
ALBUM REVIEW: Hockey - 'Mind Chaos'
about 1 month ago

Music Universe first spoke about Hockey almost a year ago, so their debut album 'Mind Chaos' has been a long time coming for us. On first listen, it's clearly a debut that announces just what Hockey...for more on all the hype, go to musicuniverse.com.au

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Hockey – Mind Chaos, Album Review
3 months ago

CD and LP giveaway, details at end of review HockeyMind ChaosCapitolout October 6th70/100[Rating Scale]7 out of 10 starsIn every single review I’ve read of Hockey’s debut full-length, Mind Chaos, countless other bands are referenced as influences. LCD Soundsystem, The Strokes, MGMT, Black Kids, Billy Joel, Vampire Weekend, Bruce Springsteen, Arcade Fire, Rod Stewart (don’t know [...]

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New Hockey video “Song Away”
3 months ago

We know you are anxiously awaiting October 6th. The day when Hockey will release their album, Mind Chaos via Capitol Records. You have been listening to their hit single, "Too Fake" on your ipod so much it is automatically stuck on the "H" artists. Your friends are tired of you ...

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