Local Natives

Gorilla Manor (Frenchkiss)

There’s something in the floating harmonies of this incredible young L.A. band that will stop you in your tracks. Not as rustic as Band of Horses, Local Natives can’t be contained in the rubric of jam-happy beard bands. Simultaneously bristling with paranoia and basking in sunshine, the band’s Pixies-like approach to the Talking Heads’ “Warning Sign” points to an entirely different set of musical aspirations. Again and again, these five musicians resist the urge to monkey around. Three-part harmonies proudly performed by Kelcey Ayer (keyboard), Ryan Hahn (guitar), and Taylor Rice (guitar) effectively replace a conventional frontman with a trio. Pianos bounce, strings swell, and the band gets down to business on all 12 tracks. The winning she’s-gone song “Sun Hands” swaggers. Smartly observed tunes like “Camera Talk” are topical, but not political. Don’t resist this invitation to Gorilla Manor. (Thu., 11pm, Emo’s Main Room; Fri., 9pm, Galaxy Room Backyard.)

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This article appears in March 19 • 2010.

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