No second album worries for Local Natives following their popular (amongst those in the know) debut, from 2009, Gorilla Manor.
Hummingbird is infectious from it’s ‘You & I’ West Coast Soul opener. You only have to get as far as the second track, ‘Heavy Feet’ for the rhythms to seep into your brain and that is just on the first listen. There is a ‘lot of music’ in these tunes and percussion plays a big part. The songs are joyous and reflective in equal measure.
Co-produced and engineered by Aaron Dessner of the National, this is music that is alive and on some songs with that signature ‘National’ beat. Aaron’s brother and band mate, Bryce, contributes horn arrangements to several songs, as well.
Bassist Andy Hamm left Local Natives in 2011 hence perhaps the helping hands this time around for the four piece of Taylor Rice - guitar, vocals, bass, Kelcey Ayer - vocals, keyboards, percussion, guitar, Ryan Hahn - guitar, keyboards, mandolin, vocals and Matt Frazier – drums.
This is an album of great sensitivity, quality musicianship and plenty of changes in pace to keep the listeners on their toes. Quite why this band are not filling larger venues remains a mystery, let hope it’s an upward rise from here on in.
Pete
10/11
1. You & I
2. Heavy Feet
3. Ceilings
4. Black Spot
5. Breakers
6. Three Months
7. Black Balloons
8. Wooly Mammoth
9.
10.
11. Bowery
Band Website HERE
