By Alex Brenner
This L.A. band caught my ear last week. I was a little hesitant because I heard they all sing together in three part harmonies (Oh no, not another Grizzly Bear). Honestly, they sound pretty good. I hear a bit of The Dodos and Fleet Foxes in there but it’s not as rustic and hippie sounding. They even do a cool cover of Talking Heads “Warning Sign”; a weird choice but nonetheless impressive.
So where do I begin? This is a very complex record, like Paul Simon Rhythm of the Saints kind of dense. It’s got tons of frantic drumming and floating vocals throughout and obviously amazing harmonies as well. The songs are fairly catchy too. Much more so than the bands mentioned earlier, and while they may get compared to Grizzly Bear, the big difference is Local Natives are not boring and pretentious. They can certainly rock at times and when they need to keep it quiet they can do that too.
It took a few listens to get into it, but this band really knows their craft and I’m confident it translates well live. The slow build of “Shape Shifter” is exciting and the slightly fuzzy “Camera Talk” will certainly keep your feet moving. Some other songs worth mentioning are “Airplanes”, “World News” and the opener “Wide Eyes”.
On paper Local Natives look like an indie rock “get rich quick” scheme but I think they do it better than the bands they are compared to and they play from the heart. While I’m not super into this kind of music it does have its rewards. If you like Vampire Weekend, Grizzly Bear or Fleet Foxes, then you may really enjoy this record. The difference I found is that Gorilla Manor is actually enjoyable to listen to right away, and I don’t need time to “get it”. Melodies are instant and easily accessible along with big gang choruses, what else could you possibly need?
Local Natives will be at the Masquerade on May 1.
Listen: Local Native – Sun Hands (from the free French Kiss Amazon Sampler)
On their third record Swedish imports Shout Out Louds strip it down a bit as compared to 2007′s Our Ill Wills. Singer Adam Olenius still sounds like Robert Smith but that’s not really a bad thing. At the helm. Mr. Phil Ek (Band of Horses) has given them a tighter, more focused sound. I guess third time is a charm. Gone are the emo-esque depressing lyrics and in come the catchy choruses and optimism with lines like “Because if you think I’m slowing down / No, I’m not slowing down.”
Not a bad song on here. The album starts really strong with “1999″ and “Fall Hard”. With a less orchestrated sound, there is a fragility and honesty that shines through. The songs are catchy, sad and very smart for pop music. The single “Walls” is easily the stand out of the ten tracks. “To get to know yourself/you have to run away” Olenius repeats throughout.
The great thing about this band is there is not much to “get” – as opposed to Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors or [insert any other P4k band here] with their “concepts” and oblique lyrics. Work is flawless pop made right. Shout Out Louds have definitely matured, as they say, but in a good way. This is the sound of a band hitting their stride and coming into their own. It’s melancholy pop akin to the Shins or Death Cab for Cutie and it’s well worth a listen.
Listen: Shout Out Loads – Fall Hard (Passion Pit Remix)
There is plenty to hate about this band – a too-cool-to-care garage band with style over substance (as per usual) and oh, they used to be called the Muslims! Big friggin’ deal. They are also the zillionth band to write a three chord garage rocker called “C’mon”. Musically, what you get is 60′s style garage pop; they sound a lot like Iggy Pop fronting a skiffle group.
However, to the band’s credit they play very up-tempo, accessible pop rock that’s cool if you like this sort of thing. They’re not breaking any new ground here [how often has he said that lately? - Rube]. The Strokes and bands of the like have been doing this for awhile and to their credit they have moments when they sound like early R.E.M. or The Replacements so that’s not a bad thing. They do have some catchy tunes too, “Answer to Yourself” and “Down on Loving” will keep your feet busy for sure.
I have no idea how these bands get so hyped these days, but The Soft Pack are on their way for sure. This record sounds like it was released a little early – like maybe they could have spent another month getting it together. It’s so short but maybe that’s like symbolism man, like how quickly summer fun comes and goes. Heavy dude, heavy. Well, either way, if you are looking for a fun 30 minute garage pop record check this out.
The Soft Pack will be at the EARL on March 25 and you can hear them here.
nice post. thanks.
Great cover art on that Gorilla Manor album.