The disc starts off with "You & I", a mellow, rapturing number featuring the lead vocals of Taylor Rice that instantly puts things in perspective for the listener tuning in just now. "Heavy Feet" picks up the ambient instrumentation a notch with some light percussion arrangements that give the band a hint of diversity and showcase their amazing talents and how they first came together due to their love of music. "Black Spot" starts out as an eerie, menacing tune before slight guitar licks chime in gently and lend in a sense of calm and relaxation that continues to bring it on a fascinating musical journey thus far. "Breakers" is an upbeat, bombastic piece that shows off the band's versatility and their ability to keep the audience's attention all the way throughout, something that is very difficult for some bands to accomplish these days.
The second half of the disc gets into gear with my favorite track off the album, "Black Balloons". This upbeat, enthusiastic number evokes the band's free wheeling spirit and their innate ability to weave beautiful, majestic melodies into their music that makes this track one of the main selling points of the album alone. "Mt. Washington" features a terrific acoustic guitar bit that features great transitions in between Taylor's introspective vocals that offer us a glimpse inside the working prowess of the band and how they're able to craft these sonic delights to offer to the musical audience as a treat. We begin to get ready to close out the album with "Colombia" a somber, toned out number that features a brisk piano solo that conjures up images of finality and conclusion as we enter the album's last gasp. The song immediately segues way into the closing track "Bowery", a grandiose, terrific number that does a great job of closing out the album on point and on cue, ensuring that the album comes to a proper end and that all members of the group have an opportunity to let their talents shine in the limelight. I was impressed with Local Natives when I first heard the track "Airplanes" off their debut release and I was amazed with the band's ability to craft an entirely different genre of music that is all their own and has the originality and authenticity to truly go places with this unique sound. I was even more blown away with the group when I saw a YouTube video of them covering Simon & Garfunkel's "Cecilia", in which one member of the group plays the percussion using a tree that made my heart grow fonder of the band and it showed me how much the band truly enjoys being around each other and how they became friends due to their love of playing music.
In summary, a well rehearsed and orchestrated effort from Local Natives, who are making their presence known even greater this time around with an assortment of versatile and cohesive jams that will make you appreciate the talent that emanates from California that much more.
Album Score: 4/5
Track Listing:
- You & I
- Heavy Feet
- Ceilings
- Black Spot
- Breakers
- Three Months
- Black Balloons
- Wooly Mammoth
- Mt. Washington
- Colombia
- Bowery
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