Native - Wrestling Moves [2010]

Wrestling Moves was something of a sleeper hit for me. I had listened to Native's EP We Delete; Erase a little bit, but not enough to really know their songs all that sell. So when Sargent House (who is far and away my favorite record label) released this album I didn't really jump on board. I downloaded it but didn't play it too much. Eventually I started digging the songs when they came on shuffle and found later Ponyboy to actually be one of my favorite songs of the year. This record really came out of nowhere and now I'm in love with it. The group's style is fast and aggressive at times and more atmospheric at others. Musically, the band is incredibly proficient. The duel guitarists are able to work together really well and make the lines interweave and cross over each other while the bass pulls a lot of it together without being notice. The drumming is excellent as well, the beats are never standard and are able to mesh perfectly with the music despite how crazy it can be. Even in Pitchfork's horrible review of the album (they gave it a 3.7 because Pitchfork likes shit music) they remarked on how Nick's drumming was the saving grace of the record. But one of the main things people notice about Native is singer/bassist Bobby's vocal work. It's harsh, sparse, and a lyrically intriguing. The sound is somewhere between singing and a Keith Buckley-esque yell, almost a Bear Vs. Shark sound but less melodic. The only downside to this album is it feels rather samey, a lot of the songs are difficult to distinguish from each other but I still consider it one of the best releases of 2010.

Genre: Indie Math-Rock
For Fans Of: These Arms Are Snakes, This Town Needs Guns, Circus Circus
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Backseat Crew
2. Legoland
3. Mason Jars
4. Ponyboy
5. Five Year Payoff
6. Shirts And Skins
7. Pocket Jingle
8. Members List
9. Marco Polo
10. Wrestling Moves


- A