The Locals Know What's Up

We wrote a little while back about Local Natives – their tune “Sun Hands” has been playing in my iTunes a lot over the past few months. Their debut album, Gorilla Manor, is slated for release in February of 2010 (I think?) and after hearing a few more tracks off of the record I’m really excited to check out the whole thing. They’ve been on tour with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and I have the feeling this album release will be big for them.

Local Natives have a sound that’s unique without being too edgy – nothing that’s going to turn a whole bunch of people off here. The Dodos and Freelance Whales spring to mind when I’m listening to them, a sort of slick indie rock with strong vocals. I can’t get enough of “Wide Eyes,” and “Airplanes,” which dropped into my lap a week or so ago, has been quickly shooting up in playcount.

Local Natives – Wide Eyes (YSI) (filesavr)

Local Natives – Airplanes (YSI) (filesavr)

Speaking of The Dodos, I saw them play at the Middle East in Cambridge a month or so ago, and they were pretty rocking. The show was tight, and by far the best moment was when they broke out “Fools,” what I believe to be their strongest song. It’s impossible not to get hooked on this track. I dare you to try.

The Dodos – Fools (YSI) (filesavr)