Play-Off Fever!

AMG Review of Play-Off Fever!

Jeremy Salmon
All Music Guide

This short EP is a fine example of everything the Zambonis are. The mix of elements of a punky indie rock sound, plenty of grungy guitars and Moog organ, and a general silly, earnest songwriting that makes them not unlike future labelmate James Kochalka Superstar. In fact, a key song is their cover of "Hockey Song," which increases in tempo, intensity, and outright fury with each verse. The humor of the band is present in such tracks as "C.C.M. P.S.A. (The Helmet Song)," a song dedicated to the always helmet-less Craig McTavish. "Lost My Teeth" is pure hockey hardcore, on the level of the Hanson Brothers. The liner notes state that tracks two through five would appear on a later album, More Songs About Hockey, but that would not be released for another two years.