Type and hit ENTER

Commonly used tags...

Brighton Festival Brighton Fringe Brighton Pride British Sea Power Cinecity Lewes Psychedelic Festival Locally Sourced Lost & Found Love Supreme Festival Mutations Festival Nick Cave Poets Vs MCs Politics Rag'n'Bone Man Record Store Day Save Our Venues Six Of The Best Source Virgins Streets Of Brighton Street Source Tattoos The Great Escape Tru Thoughts Unsung Heroes
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
Reviews

Ducktails Review

Mar 6, 2013
-
Posted by Stuart Huggett

As his many grateful thank-yous suggest, Ducktails leader Matthew Mondanile loves Brighton. “Last time we were here we played across the street at The Prince Albert”, he reminds tonight’s busy crowd, to a slight lack of recognition. Back in 2010, you see, Ducktails were an underground outfit, concentrated on Mondanile’s solo instrumental music (“maybe one of the best things you’ve never heard” reckoned SOURCE) whereas the Ducktails of 2013 are a bigger, brighter and all-round better beast.

It helps that guitarist Mondanile’s other group, fellow New Jersey outfit Real Estate, crossed over with last year’s glowing album ‘Days’, and Ducktails are following suit. ‘The Flower Lane’, their new LP for Domino, is a colourful collection of light psychedelic dabbling and 80s inspired pop, with a full band and impressive guest cast.

“Well hello, it’s me again” runs the opening line tonight, as Ducktails ease into the gentle ‘Ivy Covered House’. They’re a five-piece now, Mondaline accompanied by Slumberland-signed Big Troubles, but as following oldie ‘The Mall’ proves, they’ve assimilated the early Ducktails sound into this expanded, multiple guitar and keyboard line-up.

After a hazy start, the Prefab Sprout shimmer of ‘Under Cover’ is where tonight pulls into focus, the record’s soft sax replaced by yet more liquid guitar. Similarly, the album’s female duets (Cults’ Madeline Follin on ‘Sedan Magic’ and Future Shuttle’s Jesse Farkas on single ‘Letter Of Intent’) are re-versioned for Mondaline and keyboardist Ian Drennan’s voices without losing too much emotional punch.

Mondaline hurries it up for a final ‘Killin The Vibe’ (“We really don’t have any more songs…”) before rushing offstage to man his merch table single-handed. As one of only two British dates this was a fleeting visit worth catching and credit to promoters Be Nothing for landing it. Hopefully it won’t be too long a wait next time for their return.

Green Door Store, Sunday 24th February 2013
Words by Stuart Huggett
Photos by Michail Rumbest

Mar 6, 2013
Email
Stuart Huggett
Stuart Huggett grew up in Hastings, writing fanzines and blogs about the town’s underground music scene. He has been a regular contributor to SOURCE, NME, The Quietus and Bowlegs. His huge archive of magazines, flyers and vinyl is either an invaluable research tool or a bloody pain. He occasionally runs tinpot record label Dizzy Tiger, DJs sporadically and plays live even less.
← PREVIOUS POST
Don Broco Review
NEXT POST →
Rizzle Kicks Headline Shakedown
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • Brighton Psych Fest 2025 Review
    Sep 26, 2025

    The second Brighton Psych Fest was a beauty as we got down with Getdown Services as the evening sunlight glowed through the Concorde Stained Glass.

  • David Devant & His Spirit Wife, Friday 12th December
    Sep 23, 2025

    One of Brighton's greatest live bands returns for a pre-Xmas homecoming party.

  • Nick Cave To Play Exclusive Brighton Show Next Summer
    Sep 15, 2025

    Nick Cave returns to Brighton next Summer for an exclusive show with The Bad Seeds in Preston Park.

  • Death Comes to Pemberley Review
    Sep 3, 2025

    Set six years after the marriage of Elizabeth to Mr Darcy, a murder on their estate takes this story into thriller territory.

  • The Lightning Thief Review
    Sep 1, 2025

    A high octane modern musical coming of age adventure about demi-god teens, complete with committed performances, stunning voices, and brilliantly inventive staging.

  • Betty Boo, Sunday 23rd November
    Sep 1, 2025

    The legendary Betty Boo is going on her first ever solo UK tour and you can catch her at The Green Door Store in November.

  • Mutations Festival 2025 Line Up Announcement
    Aug 28, 2025

    FORM are treating us to a Bonfire Weekend full of warm goodness, bangers and fireworks!

  • Pride And Prejudice Review
    Aug 27, 2025

    A beautifully realised adaptation of one of Jane Austen’s best loved books: giving us a grounded, real and hilarious retelling in perfect balance.

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2023
Ducktails Review - Brighton Source