by David Greening
Local Natives' debut album, Gorilla Manor, bursts open with wide-eyed optimism couched in earnest and youthful exuberance. Here is a young rock band reaching back in time while remaining forward thinking. So how do they achieve this? A decidedly current tone of tribalistic drumming, driving bass, keyboard breakdowns and folky, jangly guitar lines balanced by genuine and infectious three-part harmonies.
Part of the current revival of harmony based bands, Local Natives execute it flawlessly, dispensing with a definitive frontman to create a more collective feel--further evidenced by their switching of instruments during live shows. Often compared to Grizzly Bear and Fleet Foxes, the Silver Lake based group goes beyond the quirky East Coast worldliness of the former and folksy whimsy of the later, splicing in metal riffs, dance grooves, piano rock, and electronic experimentation.
The overriding theme of the record seems to be self discovery and the onset of awareness--that is, a realization that you are not the center of the world. Opener "Wide Eyes" kicks this off with an expression of desire to experience the world first hand while lead single "Airplanes" is a paean to one members' grandfather that reminds us we can't forget where we came from and who influences our identities. "Sun Hands" yearns for love and a "promise of life" in wanting what one can't have. "Shape Shifter" and "Cubism Dream" explore the more surrealistic and allusive natures of everyday interactions and experiences while "Camera Talk" self-referentially alludes to the overwhelming nature of vying for success and all that comes with it.
It is a sweet record but never precious. Instead it feels ambitious and honest, the music staying true to the band's identity while constantly reaching out for more. "Gorilla Manor" is out now from Frenchkiss Records and Local Natives are currently touring the world and blogging about it. All you folks going to SXSW and Coachella should make a point to catch them if you haven't.
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