Review: Local Natives – Hummingbird (2013)

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Review by guest writer Andy Reynolds

Local Natives are back with their much anticipated sophomore album Hummingbird. The new record, which has been in the working since 2011, comes after extensive touring on their debut LP Gorilla Manor. Gorilla Manor was released in 2009 with huge success. Their Fleet Foxes like harmonies and intense buildups became a staple for the band, making their live concerts a must see show of raw emotion. After a small lineup change with former member Andy Hamm, the group of five was left without a bassist. The remaining four (Taylor Rice, Kelcey Ayer, Ryan Han, and Matt Frazier) with Taylor picking up the bass, started doing some serious work on the record in 2012 with The National’s Aaron Dressner producing. Hummingbird shows expansion and progress in their music without losing much of the original Local Natives sound.

The opening track You and I boosts Kelcey’s high vocals above an ambient guitar, something that you will hear throughout the entire record. The drum work keeps your ears moving from track to track up to the chillingly beautiful Black Spots. Black Spots is the standout track off the first part of the record. The quiet and haunting instrumental track carries the listener from lyric to lyric. Slow moving vocals crawl to booming harmonies and amazing intensity. The buildup in this song is everything a Local Natives fan could ask for and more. The first single Breakers is both earthshaking and comforting at the same time. Taylor’s, Ryan’s, and Kelcey’s harmonies blare over Matt’s often overlooked rhythmic work and is then drenched in reverb. Breakers is a representation of where Local Natives are heading and is the defining track off the album. After hearing the first half of the album, you notice that one thing missing is the rawness you hear on Gorilla Manor. You hear the drum break into a huge guitar riff on Sun Hands, the goofy screams and laughs on the intro for Airplanes, and the delicate plucking on the opening track Wide Eyes. What the first half of the album lacks, the second half of the album makes up for it. If I could pick 5 songs to listen to on this album on repeat, I would play Black Balloons to Bowery for days. Black Balloons takes this album and turns it into a true indie/folk “rock” album. This track sheds off the almost bleak majority of the first half off the album and brings an upbeat track with a “real” riff for listeners to jam too. I think Wooly Mammoth will be one of the biggest crowd pleasers off Hummingbird.  With its pounding drums it encompasses a huge sound sure to get anybody moving. Black Balloons and Wooly Mammoth get people pumped and bring the energy to an all time high on the record. Mt. Washington and Colombia follows these upbeat, rock out tracks in the most perfect way. Mt. Washington is a darker tack, it takes a sorrowful guitar and builds up upon it until Taylor is repeating the words “I don’t have to see you right now”. The next track Colombia is such a beautiful and intense song, it takes the record to a screeching halt and leaves the listener in awe. The amazing harmonies, piano work, underlying guitar, soft rhythm… Everything about this track is chilling. The lyrics “Am I giving enough” and “Am I loving enough” are repeated though the chorus, which leaves me to answer “Yes, Local Natives, you are giving enough”. The worst part of Colombia is trying to find a song to follow it up with. Something that I noticed on Gorilla Manor is how the entire album keeps getting better and better up until the last track, Sticky Thread in my opinion kills the mood the entire album had been building upon. This is not that case with Hummingbird. Bowery finishes off the album solidly and leaves the integrity of the record in tact. It’s a feel good track that is reminiscent of everything a true Local Natives fan could ask.

Hummingbird takes Local Natives sound and expands their variety. It’s a solid follow up album that is reminiscent of most things old and new. The worst part of Hummingbird is the individuality of the tracks. Most (not all) of the songs on the record blend together too much and don’t stand out enough. Hummingbird is going to be a great addition for live shows as it adds to Local Natives catalog and keeps the audience more on their toes.

Standout tracks – Colombia, Breakers, Black Spots

Honorable Mention – Mt. Washington

Score: 3.5/5

Local Natives: iTunes | Official

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