I’ve got Rough Trade to thank, really.  It was their Monthly Album Club that led to me receiving Local Natives’ debut in the post at the tail end of last year and being introduced to the Californian five-piece that had already become a new favourite by the time of this gig.  It seems I'm not the only one, or maybe all the others rammed into a very busy and sweaty Bar and Grill are all just more with it than myself.  Vote now, Banzai, etc.....

With a busy but clear sound (a clarity that smells of finely-tuned production) and almost constant harmonies and/or lyrical back-and-forths, a deep love for the album had the potential to be a hindrance.  Not a bit of it.  The band’s instincts for melody and clever arrangements are matched by a brilliant ability to bring it all to life – harmonies, percussion embellishments, wig-outs, they are the epitome of a team effort.  Lead vocal duties are swapped between the guitarists Ryan Hahn and Taylor Rice and keyboard/percussionist Kelcey Ayer, instruments are passed around and even bass player Andy Hamm occasionally picks up the odd maraca to bring out that album colour.  And what songs they bring this talent to bear on.  The rejoicing “World news” with its glorious vocal ending, the beautiful “Cards and Quarters” and its chiming, rising guitar figure and the boisterous, searching “Sun hands” complete with roaring vocal breakdown and mighty, power-riff section.

“The album isn’t out in the US yet”, says Ayer, “so it’s great to play to people who’ve heard it”.  The feeling’s mutual.  There will be comparisons with Fleet Foxes and Arcade Fire, bands who also have albums that inspire an obsessive love that can sometimes be slightly diminished by their live incarnations.  Local Natives are a combination of the two, the harmonies and melody of the former and the emotion of the latter, and with this sort of live energy they are a match for both.  Highly recommended.

Posted In Live Reviews, Jan 24 2010. Words - Martin