{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox album | name = Hobo Rocket | type = Studio | artist = Pond | cover = Hobo_Rocket.jpg | alt = | released = {{Start date|2013|08|02|df=yes}} (AUS) | recorded = July 2012 | venue = | studio = {{hlist|Dirt Diamond|Poached Egg}} (Perth, Western Australia) | genre = {{hlist|Psychedelic rock|neo-psychedelia}} | length = 34:00 | label = Modular | producer = {{hlist|Kevin Parker|Pond}} | prev_title = Beard, Wives, Denim | prev_year = 2012 | next_title = Man It Feels Like Space Again | next_year = 2015 | misc = {{Singles | name = Hobo Rocket | type = Studio | single1 = Giant Tortoise | single1date = 1 February 2013<ref name=GiantTortoise>{{cite web|url=http://www.modularpeople.com/news/pond-unveil-new-track-giant-tortoise/21977.html|title=Pond unveil new track 'Giant Tortoise'|website=Modular People|date=1 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208004428/http://www.modularpeople.com/news/pond-unveil-new-track-giant-tortoise/21977.html|archive-date=8 February 2013|url-status=usurped}}</ref> | single2 = Xanman | single2date = 18 June 2013<ref name=Xanman>{{cite web|url=http://modularpeople.com/news/watch-pond-xanman/24246.html|title=Pond – Xanman|website=Modular People|date=18 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806111442/http://modularpeople.com/news/watch-pond-xanman/24246.html|archive-date=6 August 2013|url-status=usurped}}</ref> }} }}
'''''Hobo Rocket''''' is the fifth studio album by Australian psychedelic rock band Pond, released in Australia on 2 August 2013, through Modular Recordings.
''Hobo Rocket'' appeared at 37th on the ARIA Charts two weeks after release.<ref name=chart>{{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Pond&titel=Hobo+Rocket&cat=a|title=Pond - Hobo Rocket|website=australian-charts.com}}</ref>
==Recording== ''Hobo Rocket'' is Pond's shortest album by runtime, clocking in at exactly 34 minutes. The album was recorded in July 2012, five months after the release of their previous album, ''Beard, Wives, Denim''. Five of the seven songs were recorded at Dirt Diamond Studios, "Midnight Mass (At the Market Street Payphone)" and "Hobo Rocket" were recorded at Poached Egg Studios. The album was engineered by Clint Oliver, mastered by Rob Grant at Poon's Head Studio, and was co-produced by Kevin Parker and Pond.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes|title=Hobo Rocket|type=Liner notes|date=2013|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/4872297-Pond-Hobo-Rocket/image/SW1hZ2U6ODU0MTE4MjY=|publisher=Modular Recordings}}</ref>
==Release== Two singles were released as free digital downloads to promote the album. The first, "Giant Tortoise", was released on 15 May 2013 alongside the announcement of the new album.<ref name=GiantTortoise/> The second single, "Xanman", was released on 18 June 2013.<ref name=Xanman/>
''Hobo Rocket'' was released in Australia on 2 August 2013, in the United Kingdom and Europe on 5 August 2012, and in the United States and day later.<ref name=HoboRocket>{{cite web|url=http://modularpeople.com/news/album-stream-pond-hobo-rocket/24942.html|title=Pond - Hobo Rocket|date=2 August 2013|website=Modular People|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805101251/http://modularpeople.com/news/album-stream-pond-hobo-rocket/24942.html|archive-date=5 August 2013|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
==Critical reception== {{Album ratings | ADM = 6.9/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/5715/Pond-Hobo-Rocket.aspx|title=Hobo Rocket by Pond reviews|website=AnyDecentMusic?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412181646/http://www.anydecentmusic.com:80/review/5715/Pond-Hobo-Rocket.aspx|archive-date=12 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | MC = 71/100<ref name=Metacritic>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/hobo-rocket/pond/critic-reviews|title=Critic reviews for Hobo Rocket|website=Metacritic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622015640/https://www.metacritic.com/music/hobo-rocket/pond/critic-reviews|archive-date=22 June 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev1 = ''AllMusic'' | rev1score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/hobo-rocket-mw0002550757|title=Hobo Rocket - Pond|website=AllMusic|first=Jason|last=Lymangrover|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916005143/http://www.allmusic.com:80/album/hobo-rocket-mw0002550757|archive-date=16 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Consequence'' | rev2score = C+<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2013/07/album-review-pond-hobo-rocket/|title=Pond - Hobo Rocket|website=Consequence|date=31 July 2013|first=Paula|last=Mejia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813062720/http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/07/album-review-pond-hobo-rocket/|archive-date=13 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev3 = ''DIY'' | rev3score = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/albums/pond-hobo-rocket/|title=Pond - Hobo Rocket|website=DIY|first=El|last=Hunt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808135054/http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/albums/pond-hobo-rocket/|archive-date=8 August 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Exclaim!'' | rev4score = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/PopAndRock/pond-hobo_rocket|title=Pond - Hobo Rocket|website=Exclaim!|first=Ian|last=Gormely|date=2 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806035945/http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/PopAndRock/pond-hobo_rocket|archive-date=6 August 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Guardian Australia'' | rev5score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/aug/01/pond-hobo-rocket-review|title=Pond: Hobo Rocket|website=Guardian Australia|date=2 August 2013|first=Dave|last=Simpson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903232447/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/aug/01/pond-hobo-rocket-review|archive-date=3 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev6 = ''The Independent'' | rev6score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-review-pond-hobo-rocket-modular-recordings-8742564.html|title=Pond, Hobo Rocket (Modular Recordings)|website=The Independent|first=Andy|last=Gill|date=2 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813213609/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-review-pond-hobo-rocket-modular-recordings-8742564.html|archive-date=13 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev7 = ''The Line of Best Fit'' | rev7score = 7/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/pond-hobo-rocket-132263|title=Pond - Hobo Rocket|website=The Line of Best Fit|date=1 August 2013|first=Kelly|last=Griffin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806114254/http://thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/pond-hobo-rocket-132263|archive-date=6 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev8 = ''MusicOMH'' | rev8score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/pond-hobo-rocket|title=Pond - Hobo Rocket|website=MusicOMH|first=Graeme|last=Marsh|date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803211033/http://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/pond-hobo-rocket|archive-date=3 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev9 = ''NME'' | rev9score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-pond-14642-324857|title=Pond - Hobo Rocket|website=NME|date=2 August 2013|first=Kevin|last=Perry|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816115628/http://www.nme.com/reviews/pond/14642|archive-date=16 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev10 = ''Now'' | rev10score = 3/5<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=193876|title=Pond|website=Now|date=8–15 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813130010/http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=193876|archive-date=13 August 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev11 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev11score = 5.9/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18361-pond-hobo-rocket/|title=Pond: Hobo Rocket|website=Pitchfork|first=Ian|last=Cohen|date=7 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810002604/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18361-pond-hobo-rocket|archive-date=10 August 2013}}</ref> | rev12 = Sputnikmusic | rev12score = 3.9/5<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/58389/Pond-%28AU%29-Hobo-Rocket/|title=Pond (AUS) - Hobo Rocket|website=Sputnikmusic|author=SgtPeppers|date=11 August 2013}}</ref> | rev13 = ''Tiny Mix Tapes'' | rev13score = {{rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/pond-hobo-rocket|title=Pond - Hobo Rocket|website=Tiny Mix Tapes|first=Alex|last=Griffin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828225215/http://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/pond-hobo-rocket|archive-date=28 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> }} ''Hobo Rocket'' received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the release received an average score of 71, based on 22 reviews, indicating "generally favourable reviews".<ref name=Metacritic/>
==Live performances== Following the release of ''Hobo Rocket'', Pond toured Australia in December 2013, performing in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney across nine days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modularpeople.com/artists/pond/2593.html|title=Pond|website=Modular People|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907224555/http://www.modularpeople.com/artists/pond/2593.html|archive-date=7 September 2013|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The band performed numerous shows across Australia in February and April 2014, and supported Arctic Monkeys during their tour of Australia and New Zealand. In May, they performed at Primavera in Barcelona, and in June, they performed at Field Day in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modularpeople.com/news/pond-news-rage-spicks-and-specks-arctic-monkeys/27736.html|title=Pond news - Rage, Spicks & Specks, Arctic Monkeys|website=Modular People|date=12 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306092221/http://www.modularpeople.com/news/pond-news-rage-spicks-and-specks-arctic-monkeys/27736.html|archive-date=6 March 2014|url-status=usurped}}</ref> According to Setlist.fm, "Giant Tortoise" is one of the band's most played songs live.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/pond-3bd22cc8.html|title=Pond - Songs played total|website=Setlist.fm}}</ref> The rest of the songs are fairly uncommon; "Aloneaflameaflower" was played during their 2024 tour, appearing for the first time since 2019, "Whatever Happened to the Million Head Collide?" was last played in 2020, "Midnight Mass (At the Market Street Payphone)" in 2018, and "Xanman" and "O Dharma" in 2014. The titular track, "Hobo Rocket", has never been played live.{{refn|Live performances of songs from ''Hobo Rocket'': {{blist|"Whatever Happened to the Million Head Collide?":<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/pond-3bd22cc8.html?songid=4bc25f0e|title=Whatever Happened to the Million Head Collide? performed by Pond|website=Setlist.fm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/pond-3bd22cc8.html?songid=23f0c453|title=Whatever Happened to the Million Head Collide /Alpha Beta Gaga performed by Pond|website=Setlist.fm}}</ref>|"Xanman": <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/pond-3bd22cc8.html?songid=43c61b5b|title=Xanman performed by Pond|website=Setlist.fm}}</ref>|"O Dharma":<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/pond-3bd22cc8.html?songid=1bf6291c|title=O Dharma performed by Pond|website=Setlist.fm}}</ref>|"Aloneaflameaflower":<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/pond-3bd22cc8.html?songid=53c61b59|title=Aloneaflameaflower performed by Pond|website=Setlist.fm}}</ref>|"Giant Tortoise":<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/pond-3bd22cc8.html?songid=73db16d9|title=Giant Tortoise performed by Pond|website=Setlist.fm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/pond-3bd22cc8.html?songid=5bf0ef64|title=Giant Tortoise / Eye Pattern Blindness performed by Pond|website=Setlist.fm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/pond-3bd22cc8.html?songid=6b96e22e|title=Giant Tortoise / Torn Asunder performed by Pond|website=Setlist.fm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/pond-3bd22cc8.html?songid=2be2b4fe|title=Moth Wings / Giant Tortoise performed by Pond|website=Setlist.fm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/pond-3bd22cc8.html?songid=63e262a7|title=Moth Wings / Giant Tortoise / Eye Pattern Blindness performed by Pond|website=Setlist.fm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/pond-3bd22cc8.html?songid=53c25f0d|title=Giant Tortoise / Pond in a Park performed by Pond|website=Setlist.fm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/pond-3bd22cc8.html?songid=43c12b7b|title=Jam / Giant Tortoise / Pond in a Park performed by Pond|website=Setlist.fm}}</ref>|"Midnight Mass (At the Market Street Payphone)":<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/pond-3bd22cc8.html?songid=6bc7fe42|title=Midnight Mass (At the Market St. Payphone) performed by Pond|website=Setlist.fm}}</ref>}}}}
==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''Hobo Rocket'' | total_length = {{tltl|4:42|5:50|4:56|4:32|4:12|3:35|6:13}} | title1 = Whatever Happened to the Million Head Collide? | writer1 = {{hlist|Nick Allbrook|Jay Watson}} | length1 = 4:42 | title2 = Xanman | writer2 = {{hlist|Allbrook|Watson}} | length2 = 5:50 | title3 = O Dharma | writer3 = {{hlist|Joe Ryan|Watson|Allbrook}} | length3 = 4:56 | title4 = Aloneaflameaflower | writer4 = Allbrook | length4 = 4:32 | title5 = Giant Tortoise | writer5 = {{hlist|Watson|Allbrook|Ryan}} | length5 = 4:12 | title6 = Hobo Rocket | writer6 = {{hlist|Ryan|Cowboy John}} | length6 = 3:35 | title7 = Midnight Mass (At the Market Street Payphone) | writer7 = {{hlist|Allbrook|Watson}} | length7 = 6:13 }}
==Personnel== '''Pond''' *Nick Allbrook – vocals (tracks 1–5, 7), guitars (tracks 1–2, 4, 7), synthesiser (tracks 1, 3–4, 7), bass (tracks 3, 5–7), lead guitar (track 6) *Jay Watson – guitars (tracks 1–2, 5, 7), piano (tracks 1, 3), keys (tracks 2, 6), vocals (tracks 3, 5), backing vocals (track 3), electric guitar (track 3), synthesiser (tracks 3–7), drums (tracks 3, 7), zither (track 5), tambourine (track 7) *Joe Ryan – bass (tracks 1, 4), guitars (track 2), vocals (track 3), backing vocals (track 3), acoustic guitar (track 3), synthesiser (track 3), sitar (tracks 3, 6), rhythm guitar (track 6), drums (track 6), tambourine (track 6) *Cam Avery – drums (tracks 1–2, 4–5), slide guitar (track 3) *Pond – backing vocals (track 2)
'''Additional''' *Dave Parkin – saxophone (track 1) *Cowboy John – vocals (track 6)
'''Technical personnel''' * Kevin Parker – production and mixing * Rob Grant – mastering * Clint Oliver – engineering * Amber Bateup – photography
==Charts== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! Chart (2013) ! Peak<br/>position |- !scope="row"|Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref name=chart/><ref name=aria1224>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue1224.pdf|title=ARIA Report 1224|website=ARIA|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20130819233959/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20130819-0001/Issue1224.pdf|archive-date=19 August 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |align=center|37 |- !scope="row"|Australian Physical Albums (ARIA)<ref name=aria1224/> |align=center|33 |- !scope="row"|Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)<ref name=aria1224/> |align=center|41 |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kOesUVB80aVOO2UxQLb5BCHKQlnxv9nNk ''Hobo Rocket''] at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed) *[https://www.discogs.com/release/4870655-Pond-Hobo-Rocket ''Hobo Rocket''] at Discogs
{{Pond (Australian band)}}
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Category:2013 albums Category:Pond (Australian band) albums Category:Modular Recordings albums Category:Albums produced by Kevin Parker Category:Alternative rock albums by Australian artists