Ducks Ltd Albums

2024

Harm’s Way - 89%

Ducks Ltd is a band that plays very well one song at a time. One randomizer, when the singles are given to us as make believe hit singles, its really some genius jangle pop with throwbacks on purpose to the prime era of the early 80s neo-psych revival form Robyn Hitchcock, REM, DBs, you name it. But it funny when listening to the album all at once, something strange happens and the songs blur together wildly forming a sort of blissful happiness or a soundtrack to a land where songs like "Hollowed Out" and "Deleted Scenes" are national anthems.

We have heard of too much of a good thing, but I actually wish this rejuvenating record was about twice as long. The killer songs are present for sure- "A Girl Running" portrays that feeling of innocence like no other, "Train Full of Gas” gives a nice base bluesy structure like a well crafted machine full of pop songs, and title track “Harm’s Way” tops all that came before in terms of pure bliss in guitar lines learned form Ira Kapaln and Peter Buck. There is even an attempt to change the pace with longer closer “Heavy Bag” that serves as an epic closer….well epic by this band’s standards. Much like the carefree band’s of the 80’s before them but maybe lacking a tiny spark that made bands like The Feelies craft some perfect records, Duck’s :td are on the precipice of making a masterwork. Let’s have some more soon!

Best Songs: A Girl Running, Deleted Scenes, Harm’s Way