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The Daily Texan (University of Texas) - September 26, 1991 |
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Duckhills find new summits Austin's errant loony philosophers set acoustic gig
Daily Texan Staff Though the Duckhills do have something to say, it's how they express themselves that makes them special. Their album Remembering Spongecake breaks musical rules with a slice of wit: The group tailors a surprising range of styles on the album to fit the needs of their lyrics, and when all the songs get baked together, Spongecake becomes a quirky fruitcake of songs.
Randall Grace, the Duckhills' guitarist, describes their music as a "stew of influences" due to their short attention spans. And head Duck Benjamin McDonald says the band writes the music to fit the lyrics.
There are many notable tracks on Spongecake. The first, called Obvious, starts out with a Joplinesque introduction and then moves into a Prince-like groove. Freaky Transactions is what the band describes as "bent quirky funk," and the twangy Lil' Bit Girlish ("I'm a lil' bit girlish/I don't belch in public") shows off their loony side.
The Duckhills trace their sound and influences to a number of bands, particularly Robyn .Hitchcock, Bob Dylan and Frank Zappa, but McDonald also describes the group's music as introspective, and says the band is trying to shy away from its weird side.
On the Duckhills horizon is an acoustic show Thursday at the Cactus Cafe. In November, they'll play the New South Music Festival and then tour the west coast with Poi Dog Pondering.
Considering all the musical directions the Duckhills take, they can still tie up their montage with energy. The most pleasing thing about them is that when you hear them play, you can tell they are having a lot of fun. They refuse to be bound by any particular style or sound. If you want to hear some tunes with wit and heart served up with an alternative style, check out the Duckhills.
DUCKHILLS ACOUSTIC SHOW Where: Cactus Cafe, Texas Union Building When: Thursday |
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Shane
Elam
