Chicago based Hey Champ consists of two Rockford Illinois kids with a love for Cheap Trick and Peter Dougherty, a college chum, on keyboards. While this may be the bands debut album Hey Champ have been on the indie scene for quite some time. The first time I heard their track Face Control was about a year ago on an indie compilation and their work remixing other artists music probably just as far back. The band posted the video for their break out track Cold Dust Girl on you tube in 2008. Well, for those that have hung around waiting for a full on album your wait is over.

While I’ve been a fan of Hey Champ for awhile now the limited amount of music they’ve floated onto the internet hasn’t really given me perspective as far as their overall sound. Could it be MGMT heavy like Face Control or like Cold Dust Girl leaning more towards a sound like Phoenix? Interestingly enough the bands debut plays more like a diverse mix of music that includes indie, electronica, space rock, and good old fashion rock.

The albums first track, Shake, has a feel that can be found on just about any indie rock station, excluding the interesting Keyboard chorus that is reminiscent of Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade. The first real stand out track on the album is Artificial Man which is Datarock aggressive. Stand out because it sounds so unlike the rest of the album which, by this time, hasn’t done a whole lot to really distance itself from the massive amounts of indie electronic bands out there now. Seriously, the genre is quickly going the way of the over populated emo scene with too many bands using the same formula.

What’s great about Hey Champ is the use of catchy pop hooks and nostalgic synth beats combined with a crafty vocal delivery that’s focused and harmonic. Hey Champ really does make great music but they may be a little late to the game. True they have been on the scene for quite awhile but waiting so long to float their album to the general public may have some adverse effects as so many other acts out there have been recognized by their releases who carry the same style. Either their debut album will renew an interest in the band and spark a new chapter in their existence or there’s always that other route. Time will tell. As always final judgment is yours. Enjoy.