TheLostSocietyMusic

Latest Local Natives Album Review:
Gorilla Manor

The album starts with the beautiful Wide Eyes, with it’s euphoric lead guitar line reminiscent of a relaxed Johnny Marr and an introduction to Taylor Rice and Kelcey Ayer’s laid back and innocent vocal tones. The track is punctuated with slick drum arrangements that perpetuate throughout the album. Second comes Airplanes, with it’s honky-tonk piano intro and rowdy crowd overdubs. A no holds-barred love song that climbs and climbs until we reach a climatic and fully uplifting conclusion accented with strings and synth organs. It’s the chorus that is the most stirring: “I Love it all, so much I call, I want you back.”
Track 3, and we return to some clean, Californian guitar riffs, reminiscent of the sounds found on Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Californication and a nod to the Doors subtle keys layering, this song truly is a slice of Los Angeles. The title Sun Hands takes us back to a more innocent theme often lacking in the mainstream music of today.
World News is the most catchy track on the album so far, with it’s Albert Hammond Jnr style opening guitar hooks and catchy country salvos. Delightful vocal harmonies again form Rice and Ayer as the song builds to the now trademark Local Natives climax.
The most surprising of the tracks on the album is Cards and Quarters, with a distinct R n’ B flavour, the song is smooth and groovy and an interesting blend of beats with the Local Natives harmonies and overall sound.