LOCAL NATIVES - GORILLA MANOR
I had heard the name Local Natives ever since there was some buzz following them from this Aprils SXSW. There wasn't much material on the internet however, so apart from the 'Sun Hands EP', I had to wait till the album, 'Gorilla Manor' came out this autumn. It was definitely worth the wait. Most reviews of the album will at some point mention a comparison to Fleet Foxes. Whilst I do think they have similarities, and that no band can really touch Fleet Foxes at what they do at the moment, Local Natives have many strengths on their own.
The LA quintet have the open-throat harmonies and air of wide-eyed wonderment, but they also have a more up-tempo, celebratory element to their indie-folk. Songs such as 'Camera Talk' and 'Sun Hands' would enthral anyone, and I dare anybody to listen to just one song and not want to listen to the whole album. An unexpected joy.
