the #2 spot on my favorite songs of the year list<\/a>. The band said their new EP was more intentional after their first album was the equivalent of taking a handful of glitter and throwing it. Listen to the two songs and I think you’ll hear that difference clearly. I think I prefer the glitter approach.<\/p>\n“How Lonely Are You?” – Ducks Ltd.
\nDucks Ltd. is a strange name for a band. Stranger when you consider they used to be called Ducks Unlimited. But they make good jangle pop, so get over yourself and get past their name.<\/p>\n
“Easter” – Strand of Oaks
\nAnother stand-out track from Timothy Showalter’s latest album Heaven<\/em>.<\/p>\n“Beautiful Beaches” – James
\nI follow a baseball writer who is very into James. I don’t think I would have known they were still putting out new music if not for him. I missed this single last spring but heard it recently. It’s about the experience of friends of lead singer Tim Booth when they had to flee their California home to avoid wild fires. Booth lived in California for many years, so I assume he understands US geography. Which makes it weird that he sings “get out of Kansas.” <\/p>\n