Matthew Mondanile has been creating utopias for people's ears for about a year or so now, and he has recently released a new LP entitled Landscapes. His music can be best compared to the music of The Skaters member James Ferraro. If you don't know what either Ducktails or James Ferraro's music is like, then you're lost. James Ferraro (or Lamborghini Crystal for that matter) creates this sort of 70's/80's throwback music that sounds often like elevator music or a soundtrack to a really underground action movie circa '85. Ducktails' music is a lot like that, but not entirely so. Ducktails is a little more user-friendly, unlike James Ferraro who is known for making drone music. Mondanile doesn't sound like he's very fond of drone. His sound is more laidback and dancey.
Ducktails has always stuck to its signature sound but it's been changing more and more, and Landscapes currently documents the highest peak of that change. Don't get me wrong, it's easy to tell that this is a traditional Ducktails album. But rather than just having the 80's film soundtrack sound, it also has a slight folk tinge to it. I know folk is overused but, it's folk. Not average folk though, think Ganglians Monster Head Room-era but still incorporating the wah wah guitars and reverberation that Ducktails has always had. It's an odd sound, and I'm not sure if it fits in this album. I'm pretty sure that people won't mind it though. In fact, they'll probably like it.
Ducktails' sound is becoming even more mellow at the moment, minus the prog-rock quickie "Landrunner". Some of the songs have no drums and are just guitar ambiences. It's a good sound, but it's surprising to a Ducktails fan. This entire album is pretty much a surprise. Just be prepared to hear a different side of Ducktails when you put this on your turntable.
absolutely the best ducktails i've heard yet, very beautiful and serene.
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