Local Natives' Gorilla Manor Reviewed
May 18th 2010 13:22
LOCAL NATIVES: Matt, Kelcey, Andy, Taylor, and Ryan
Local Natives (formerly known as Cavil At Rest) are an LA band formed out of high school by Taylor Rice (vocals/guitar), Kelcey Ayer (vocals/keys/percussion), and Ryan Hahn (guitar/vocals), who then added Andy Hamm on bass and Matt Frazier on drums. Their debut, Gorilla Manor, named after the house in which they lived together, was released in late 2009/early 2010 (depending on where you live.) Interestingly, Local Natives were signed by a UK label before a US label, but have made up for it in the States this year, the highlight coming at SXSW in Austin, Texas through March where they played a whopping 9 shows in 3 days.
Gorilla Manor: Rating.....9/10
Tracklist
1. Wide Eyes
2. Airplanes
3. Sun Hands
4. World News
5. Shape Shifter
6. Camera Talk
7. Cards & Quarters
8. Warning Sign
9. Who Knows, Who Cares
10. Cubism Dream
11. Stranger Things
12. Sticky Thread
1. Wide Eyes
2. Airplanes
3. Sun Hands
4. World News
5. Shape Shifter
6. Camera Talk
7. Cards & Quarters
8. Warning Sign
9. Who Knows, Who Cares
10. Cubism Dream
11. Stranger Things
12. Sticky Thread
From the first notes struck in opener, Wide Eyes, I knew that this debut would be something pretty special. The rest of the album didn't disappoint: Airplanes, Shape Shifter, and a cover of the Talking Heads song, Warning Sign, demonstrate a clear understanding of today's modern indie music, and a direction not dissimilar to the lovechild of Vampire Weekend and Grizzly Bear. The two, three, and four-part harmonies (a real soft spot of mine in modern music) sung throughout the album are really quite outstanding, both strong and sweet. A lot of songs have that mountainous Fleet Foxes sound, a comparison only strengthened by the soaring harmonies. Acoustic guitars feature prominently, maybe even more so than electrics, making this a really natural-sounding record, and dual percussion adds an energetic vibe. The band know when to crank up the sound and tone it back down, as shown in Sun Hands. Simply put, this is really quite a special debut, and is particularly refreshing given the low profile of the band here in Australia.
I highly recommend a listen.
Bren.
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