Hummingbird - Local Natives
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 37
  3. Negative: 1 out of 37

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. carlitoburrito
    Feb 3, 2013
    9
    If you're looking for another Gorilla Manor, it's likely you will be disappointed. While Gorilla Manor can be argued to be a bit top heavy as an album, Hummingbird offers a consistency of songs that exuberate chemistry, and together stand tall. Local Natives do not offer any immediate crowd pleasers like "Airplanes" or "World News" here, but rather slow down the tempo and percussive clatter to create a much more expansive and thoughtful sound. Opener, "You I" makes this evident as the laid back wobbly surf guitar strums are interrupted by Kelcey belting out the song's title, letting the listener know that he can't fake a smile anymore and he has some serious thoughts to get off his chest. Darkness shades the edges of this album as a result of Kelcey's mother passing away, and his loss fuels his best performances on the album both lyrically and vocally. Here, he sounds wounded, heartbroken, and lonely. Particularly on his solo take "Three Months", he croons, "I have to go on now, having thought this wasn't your last year." Anxiety haunts each song, especially on "Breakers" where Taylor nervously sings "Breathing out, hoping to breath in, I know nothings wrong, but I'm not convinced...Just let it happen, I can't let it happen. Just don't think so much." Trust has been damaged on "Black Balloons": "Swear you're who you say you are." Those of us who suffer from anxiety or depression can completely understand those unsteady feelings. However, for all the tension, the Local Natives still let cracks of light shine through. but in only in a few subtle ways. The soaring harmonies we have all grown to love are very much in tact, for all the sadness on the chilling rhythm of "Heavy Feet" you can still feel warmth inside. Arena- rocker "Wooly Mammoth" is riddled combatant array of percussion, but then magnificently opens wide to its brilliantly expansive chorus filled with harmony that give a fleeting sense of clarity, but like "Black Spot" there are hints of an imminent collapse.The calm of "Mt. Washington" is disquieting with Taylor singing "I don't have to see you right now" as if he is fighting back tears. All the emotional build leads to the achingly honest words of Hummingbird's calling card, "Colombia": "Every night I ask myself, am I giving enough?/ am I loving enough?" Questions impossible to answer, yet inevitable to ask given such a loss. Overall, the Local Natives show growth on a heavy album that aims to find emotional healing after loss. Their acceptance of life's capacity to cause pain is made explicit with Hummingbird's final words on closer "Bowery": "The fall is so much faster, then You and I can ever climb...." This is as cathartic as it gets.… Expand
  2. Shazalia
    Feb 12, 2013
    9
    Heard them on Fallon and picked up their album the next day. Incredibly deep and soothing, Hummingbird manages to satisfy on all levels. If you're a fan of MUSIC, there should be something worth your while on this sophomore effort.
  3. JonnyBoy9
    Feb 8, 2013
    9
    After an unexpected yet brilliant debut album, Local Natives deliver another great album. I would label this one on the "beautiful" column, because it seems to contain deeper more intimate moments, especially when you sit down and try to break down the lyrics... Even though this takes a different path than Gorilla Manor, the rewards are still there. On this album the band tries to reach a high euphoric point on almost every song (perhaps due to The National's Aaron Dessner) which can be bothersome for some but not to me. Some standouts of the album are You and I, Breakers and Columbia. Although this is not a perfect album, I believe this album solidifies their stance near the top of the indie rock world. On a side note, if you guys really want to get a sense of the band and the album you should catch them live. I did that a few weeks ago and it was hands down the best show I have ever been to. They only played about half of the songs on the new album, but they all sounded better than the studio version. They delivered such an intimate performance even though the venue was fairly large. It was the very first show on their tour and you could sense the nervousness, but as soon as the crowd responded to 'Breakers' they put on an amazing act.… Collapse
  4. DOMlNlC
    Apr 25, 2013
    10
    While Gorilla Manor was focused mainly on live performance and texture, Hummingbird shows what happens when the Local Natives let their emotions override. With the passing of one of lead singers mothers passing away, there are many heartfelt sentiments expressed throughout this record. The most prime example is "Columbia", which is this moving, heartbreaking anthem from a son to his parted mother. rewinding a bit, the album kicks off with Ayer's adventurous vocals on "You & I" which discusses the efforts of a lover within a relationship. While every song is beautiful and composed to near perfection, the subtle yet powerful "Mt.Washington" remains my personal favorite. Although there will most likely never be a way to top Gorilla Manor, the Natives present their sophomore effort with grace and it has been well received. You're missing out if you let this album pass you by.… Expand
  5. Eclectic_Listen
    May 5, 2013
    9
    While it's not the juggernaut its predecesor was, Hummingbird holds with the unique charm that Local Natives continue to find in raw emotion and devastatingly powerful vocals. Expect an album that finds its way into your favor after a second or third active listen. There are less stand-out tracks, but the overall essence of the album is made more succinct and cohesive in the consistency of the tone.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Boston Globe
    May 17, 2013
    80
    Produced by Aaron Dessner of the National, the Brooklyn, N.Y., indie rockers who once took Local Natives on the road as the opening act, the album feels like a pronouncement, as if to highlight how much the quartet has grown since its last outing.
    Read full review
  2. Drowned In Sound
    May 17, 2013
    80
    Hummingbird feels wiser, grander, and more knowing.
    Read full review
  3. Austin Chronicle
    Mar 13, 2013
    78
    Hummingbird's layers complement its psychic search.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »