Ducks Ltd. - Modern Fiction

RELIVING MEMORIES OF JOY & CHARITY

We can all agree, this is cheating right? Ducks Ltd. pry on our senses, pricking our ears and warming our hearts. Modern Fiction exemplifies the purity of Jangle Pop, straightforward and nurturing, playful and nostalgic. A myriad of influences line these tracks, for the Toronto-based band's formula comes in the shape of ultimate distillation. It's the one primary criticism; the total lack of originality, swollen by modernity. But by god does it charm. There's imprints of under-appreciated acts like Polaris and Brian, along with those stirred by the same romanticism like Lloyd Cole & The Commotions and 10,000 Maniacs. These acts come from the late 80's / early 90's, but the modern day revivalists also find common ground with Ducks Ltd.. I'm talking Alvvays, with their sentimental Twee Pop, and Real Estate, with their whimsical Chamber Folk. Karrots too, on their overlooked debut.

The goal remains stalwart. Unwavering and incessantly committed, Modern Fiction proudly parleys with Jangle Pop's vital driving guitars, celebrating a boundless energy derived from helping others. Which, while Tom McGreevy's lyrics don't seem all that imperative, feels like the guiding principle on songs like 'How Lonely Are You?,' 'Always There,' and 'Sullen Leering Hope.' This benevolence helps set the innocuous mood, one seemingly derived from the dualistic guitars themselves. Though their tenors change capriciously I'm reminded of the Elephant 6 collective, with their hippie naïveté and sunbeam felicity. Especially Beulah and The Minders.

As for Modern Fiction's sound itself, it's hard to separate songs from one another. They really do all sound alike, for better or worse. If you're swooned off your feet by 'How Lonely Are You?'s' surfing rush you'll undoubtedly enjoy every other song. Favorites may vary. For me, it's the intro, along with 'Under The Rolling Moon' and its exceptionally-large hook, and 'Always There' ripe with droningly-passionate vocals. One can't go wrong with 'Old Times,' '18 Cigarettes,' and 'Fit To Burst' either. These are delectable hooks, simple and attractive melodies, and righteous energy capped by the goodness in Ducks Ltd's heart.