Here’s to hoping that we see more tech death players branch out to other genres.
Funky Duck’s latest offering is five songs of funk rock with clear nods to some of the greats. This Maryland quartet’s new EP includes mastermind Josh Rosen singing, playing keys, and playing horns, Michael Esposito grooving on guitar, Basil Chiasson (of Wormhole fame) holding down the low end, and Matt Hallwig on drums providing the palette for it all to go down.
These songs carry tons of the band’s influences, ranging from Zappa to Latin jazz to classics like P-Funk, yet they come out sounding unique and fresh. Rosen’s singing sits in the same frenetic realm as David Byrne of the Talking Heads, with an urgency that could be accompanied by a bombing siren. Lyrically, this album is right in the band’s wheelhouse – ranging from a story about an alien bass coming into Chiasson’s possession (Slapaholic), to a video game battle pass-inspired riff on The Cask Of Amontillado (Loot Box Of Amontillado).
All things considered, this EP is an excellent addition to this year of incredible music. Chiasson showing off his playing (even more so than the Wormhole record he also played on this year, in my opinion), letting Esposito’s guitar work out a squiggly set of melodies, Rosen’s near-prophetic band leading, and Hallwig’s bouncy grooves all join together for Funky Duck’s tightest offering yet. I can’t wait to see what these dudes do next.
Listen and support Funky Duck:
https://funkyduck.bandcamp.com/album/get-ducked
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