This album starts off with "My Stride", and this one doesn't waste a second in easily being more anthemic and grand than it's predecessor. Instantly, I feel like this is everything I wanted to hear from their debut a few years back. I love Zach Stephenson's very scratchy but still inviting vocals. This track is just so sunny and enjoyable. In a way, Hockey Dad is really making up for lost time with this one. It's incredible just how much a little flashy production can help out a band. "My Stride" is a clean, sort of Poppy, completely instantaneous Surf Rock tune with some Garage Rock thrown in as well. I couldn't be happier with this intro honestly. It also has this sense of positive vibes that I really don't feel like we get enough of in Garage Rock. Nothing bad going on here. Then we have "Homely Feeling", which to an extent sounds like an early 90's relic. It's certainly heavier than what I've come to expect from Hockey Dad, and it seriously has a great Punk edge to it. I love the winding chorus and the brooding, intense verses. All around, "Homely Feeling" is just so intense. It's a big gamble for Hockey Dad, but I'm glad they're able to show a little attitude. This is a great sound for them, and once again is just so instantaneous. So far, this is all gravy. Then we have "I Wanna Be Everybody", which continues on with this very grandiose, sunny feel to it. Also, if you're a 90's nostalgia enthusiast, I would say this is going to be an album you want to check out. It's just so positive and cheery sounding, which may to some get a little annoying, but I think it's refreshing in these genres. I don't even mind that this one isn't nearly as punchy or upbeat. Also, Hockey Dad has such a knack for writing these Pop infused Rock tunes. I literally couldn't be happier with tracks like "I Wanna Be Everybody". This is the summation of everything I heard from these guys on their debut EP. "Danny" On the other hand loses some of the flashy production we've heard so far in exchange for some incredibly spacey sounds. Honestly, though, it's a welcomed change. I love Zach's very passionate and endearing performance on this one. It's got such a sense of longing in its bars that give this such a timeless feel, hell it almost comes off like a cover. These more low key tracks are just as warm and inviting, and there's still a sunny layer surrounding this all.
"Join The Club" acts as a return to the more upbeat sounds we heard earlier. And to be honest, this is one of the more underwhelming tunes I've heard here so far. This one sounds a little bit too much like a cover for my liking. While the earlier tracks seemed like this duo were effortlessly coming off with these nostalgia packed tunes, "Join The Club" is such a reach. Their performances are alright, but not nearly as memorable. It's still catchy as hell, but a little too much of this one is just not as instantaneous. Then we have "Whatever", which once again brings in that very hazy aesthetic from earlier. But this one doesn't come off nearly as interesting or tasteful sadly. This one just comes off half-baked and way too dreamy. Not to mention, severely underwritten. I haven't given up hope on these guys completely, but the early tunes on this album just seemed to be so simple and straightforward. "Whatever" to me seems like a track the duo very hastily recorded to add some last minute haziness to this album. Thankfully, I find that dedication and energy I've been looking for with "Disappoint Me". The simplicity is back in a big way. I love just how driving this riff is, and once again just how sunny this comes off. I mean, I'm a chubby dude who wears flannel year round, but tunes like this make me want to hit the beach. Once again, it just seems like tracks like this come to Hockey Dad so easily. "Disappoint Me" is so catchy and determined, but incredibly well written. And yes, there's a huge retro aspect to this that I'd be lying if I said didn't do anything for me. "Running Out" on the other hand, brings back the more Punk and aggressive side of Hockey Dad once again, there really is a ton of range on this album. I love Zach's more mysterious and aggressive performance here, and just how much attitude there is all around. The winding choruses are great, and while I would say this one of the less memorable upbeat tracks here, it's still very good and gives me a great feeling for the future of Hockey Dad.
Up next is "Stalked", and on the other hand, this is just as upbeat but a whole lot more focused sounding. And while I wish Zach's vocals reflected this more mysterious atmosphere a little more, this is a really great track. I love just how chaotic everything comes off, and this is easily the catchiest and most memorable we've heard so far. "Stalker" is so short and straightforward, and I just wanna keep listening to it over and over. Hockey Dad has one hell of a future in front of them. On the other hand, "Where I Came From" is much on the slower side. Now, I have a few issues here though. I do once again really love the very mysterious atmosphere and just how hazy this is, without really giving up any of the band's Punky aesthetic. But this track just doesn't register with me. As catchy as "Where I Came From" is, I feel like Hockey Dad are reaching so hard. The verses don't pack nearly the punch I was hoping they would, and outside of the chorus, Zach's performance is one of his most tame here. This track is just too safe. But obviously, Hockey Dad is far from dishing out catchy Rock tunes, apparently, they're just getting started. I just love "Sweet Release" with all of its little details like the coughing to the out of breath vocals. There are some serious Power pop elements to this one that I can't deny at all as well. It's moments like this that more than anything come off like some seriously exciting live show. In a lot of ways I do have to say, this album comes off like a compilation, but I wouldn't say that's a bad thing. This album finishes off with "Eggshells", one of the hardest to place tunes here. It's more low-key sounding and I do enjoy some of the grooves, and as far as a more laid back and spacey tune goes this is actually really pretty. It's just not the grandiose finish I was hoping for It's not that bad though and there are a lot of moments here that are stunning. I just sort of wish Zach's vocals were a little more pronounced. In the end, "Eggshells" is charming and all, I just wish this was a little more impactful.
Rating: 7.8/10
Give A Listen To: “My Stride”, “Homely Feeling”, “Danny”, “Stalker”
Genre: Surf Rock / Garage Rock / Garage Punk
Overall Thoughts: Hockey Dad comes through on "Blend Inn" with the album that I was hoping to hear from their 2016 album "Boronia". This album is packed with Punchy, instantaneously catchy Surf Rock infused Garage tunes. There are some Punk and Power Pop elements on display as well, and for the most p, rt this album is incredibly enjoyable. There are a few spacey tunes that I wish the duo steered clear from, and there are maybe a few moments where this comes off a little too much like a compilation or covers album. But I'm enjoying so much of this album, and Hockey Dad continue to bring a sunny nostalgia that's been missing in Garage Rock
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