Album Review: The Hails - ‘Duckpond’

The Hails are back with their latest Duckpond this week! The record is a great bop from start to finish with dynamic indie style melodies, warm vocals, and snappy percussion. The record clocks in at 14 tracks, unheard of in a day where records, song lengths, and everything is becoming bite sized.

Duckpond tangles with some interesting thematic choices on the record. “Story of You and Me” and “Corruptor” touch on the ups and downs of life and love. “Corruptor” is one of my favorites on the record, even though it’s dealing with complex issues, it’s really a bopping vibe of a good time. “Vegas, Idaho” touches on life on the road, a prevalent issue for any band trying to make it. I loved how “Vegas, Idaho” slowed things down melodically, as it felt even-paced and allowed the vocals to shine. “Scampi” picks things back up with some snappy leads and a cool theme as the band pokes fun at armchair activists who concoct half-baked solutions to complex problems.

In their presser, the band proudly cites Talking Heads, Arctic Monkeys, and The Strokes as influences. On “Scampi” some of the backing call and response vocals immediately had me thinking of David Byrne and company. Also, the guitars throughout evoked comps to The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys. I also hear some sounds that had me thinking of indie mainstays Franz Ferdinand and Hot Hot Heat.

In short, if indie is your vibe, run, don’t walk to Duckpond, you’re sure to love it! It gets a rare score of 10, it’s some of the best indie I’ve heard in probably a

Rating - 10/10