I find it hard to write about Ducktails. Matt Mondanile, however, is one of my heroes. He is the one man responsible for this engagingly awesome record whose album artwork you see above.
Matt is one part of the Jersey Shore triumvirate bringing us warm summery suburban vibes, hammock swinging survival tactics and aimless stoner car classics (even if they kindle memories of the beach). This triumvirate consists of the superb Real Estate (which Matt plays guitar for), the not as great Alex Bleeker and The Freaks and the absolutely amazing Ducktails.
I first heard Ducktails slightly out of context in one of their more arresting moments via an amazing compilation i received from my guitarist. Dancing With The One You Love is one of the greatest love songs i've heard in my life - such pain and anguish and fear and love spoke-screeched out of a lo-fi corner filled with slow strummed chords and bass tracked over some jittery sampled drums. Holy god. I just listened to it again. Much Love.
Anyhoo, as i said, arresting - as the rest of that album's (Ducktails - self-titled [2009]) songs are wafty, hazy, distorted, drone-y half-remembered sunshine gems recalling saturday morning cartoons - if i recall, all recorded in a basement or a shed somewhere in New Jersey - jittering from drone to hook every now and then; very background - and nonetheless more awesome because of that.
With this new record (III), Matt Mondanile stretches his legs and goes for a little bit of a walk taking the sound from less basement-seclusion to shower some sunlight on it - creating a more open, accessible sound.
Plus those fireworks on the last track (Porch Projector) are godamn amazing.
P.S. Matt, i also like to drive around in my car aimlessly, listening to records.
I'm sure some of our patrons get it too.
