Local Natives

Local Natives - Gorilla Manor

Gorilla Manor is the debut album from new indie buzz band, Local Natives. Bringing in a blend of Jump Little Children and Fleet Foxes, this LA band can really, really sing and harmonize well. With the 1-2-3 punch of opening tracks "Wide Eyes", "Airplanes", and "Sun Hands", these guys had me completely hooked, which made for what happened next very disappointing. Like most albums released today it is very top-heavy, and sadly the album quickly peetered out and started slogging along with forgetable and completely interchangable songs. Not until the final two tracks, "Stranger Things" and "Sticky Thread" do Local Natives get back to some of the magic they created with the opening tracks. Gorilla Manor (ridiculous name, by the way) is a decent enough album and Local Natives do show a lot of potential. Once these guys find their sound, they will produce some great songs.

Grade: B-