From: Portland, U.S of A

Who: Hockey: Benjamin Grubin (Lead Vocals), Brian White (Lead Guitar), Jeremy Reynolds (Bass & artwork) and Anthony Stassi (Drums)

The Scoop: Hockey are in danger of releasing one of the more interesting albums of the year & doing it without attracting so much as a moment of attention here. This because the music fits into that odd space between our 'cool' media (for whom they a considered too mainstream) and mainstream music radio (where they are considered too cool & interesting). The irony.

So if you wanted to stick some labels on them I'd go for indie, new wave, electro soul - see it's no good. They are following in the path of some great acts of the past few years who have come from the US but it has been the UK which has really made it happen for them (Kings of Leon, Scissor Sisters, MGMT, Black Kids etc.).

There are two influences that I kept hearing in the songs - Bob Dylan & Tom Petty but they also sound like themselves. Really you just need to give them a listen. And you can do just that right here. EMI have given us the video of 'Song Away' so you can make your mind up for yourself - click here to watch it.

There have been two singles released so far ('Too Fake' & 'Song Away') but if your feeling adventurous I'd just get the album Mind Chaos where it has other tracks like 'Learn To Lose' & 'Wanna Be Black' which are equally good.

Word on the street is that may be headed our way at some point in summer. My fingers are crossed as enjoying these guys under the summer sun could be magical.

Shuffle with: The Killers, LCD Soundsystem, Bloc Party.

Play on: Saturday afternoon while the sun is shining, the BBQ is just being fired up & the first brewsky of the day is in hand.

Links: myspace, official blog, facebook, twitter