By Stan Cierlitsky
The best word that I can use to describe Ducks Ltd.'s second album is Jangletastic! Tom McGreevy and Evan Lewis continue their sonic assault on the world when Harm's Way is finally released on February 9 on Carpark Records. I say "finally" because we have already heard four of the nine songs on the album. An album that was produced by Dave Vettraino and includes some of their favorite musicians including spring tourmates Ratboys' Julia Steiner and Marcus Nuccio (see them at The Ottobar in Baltimore on April 4).
The shimmery guitar assault started last year when "The Main Thing" dropped in October. At that point I knew that I could expect more of the same from this amazing band, which is a very good thing. I have to be honest: Ducks Ltd. are probably my favorite "new" band of the last couple of years. So, I am definitely biased. Somehow, they remind me of bands from early Creation Records, Sarah Records, and even Flying Nun Records. These labels put out most of my favorite music in the late Eighties and early Nineties.
The next two singles/teasers that came out were "Hollowed Out" and "Train Full of Gasoline". These are probably my two favorite songs on the album. "Hollowed Out" was first, and it was accompanied by a cool retro video which reminded me a lot of the old 8-mm-shot videos of the past. It also has some of my favorite lyrics on the album: "All we ever do is need. Eat, Fuck, and Sleep. And then repeat forever."
"Train Full of Gasoline" was also accompanied by a retro video. Pretty much a cool personalized view of moving about a city. It also has great lyrics, and it has my favorite lyric of the year (so far): "Here's me thinking that this might have been an all-time low. But you're right to point out that I've always been a dumb ass."
In my reviews I don't usually cover all of the singles/teasers, but I really want to mention "Heavy Bag" as well. This song is one of the few times Ducks Ltd. steer away from the jangle-pop assault. It's a beautiful, slow acoustic-starting number, and it makes me excited and curious about what a slow and more down-tempo album Ducks Ltd. could deliver. This track includes beautiful strings and somber tones before it picks back up. I just love the diversity within the song. It's also a great way to end the album.
The remaining five songs are all solid and good. My favorite is probably the title track, but that changes each time I listen to the record. The chanting chorus of "Harm's Way" really makes me feel nostalgic.
Again, Harm's Way by Ducks Ltd. is out February 9th on Carpark Records. Definitely check it out.
[Photo: Colin Medley]