The Guru

Native Sun

Written by: DR on 19/07/2011 21:32:20

We're getting to that point in the year where people will no doubt be throwing together playlists weather and atmosphere appropriate for themselves and their friends, which usually means lots of pop, indie, and pop punk. And then there are The Guru, providing you with the option of something else entirely with which to soundtrack your summer.

I don't just mean in terms of summer music, either. "Native Sun" is a release that can be appreciated at any time of the year and would still be considered as 'something else entirely', but given how it treads somewhere between pop, indie, experimental and psychedelic, it is best experienced in the summer-time. A fusion of so many styles also makes for a unique listening experience, yet it still maintains an immediacy that only comes with familiarity - which, somehow, they possess!

Appropriately labelled 'disco rock' by the band themselves, "Native Sun" is among the most refreshing and creative debuts you're likely to hear. Such creativity is apparent in the eccentric twinkly-guitar opening of "Arizona", and then again when the vocals of Eddie Golden III are introduced, who is, apparently, the drummer and lead-vocalist. His style is unusual to say the least, as he spends a great deal of the album yelping manically, if you like, which may be initially off-putting for some of the more superficial listeners. However, he does so with such undeniable character and swagger that in efforts such as "Barracuda Hands" and "Pirate's Cove" he manipulates his voice to do everything/anything but actually sing, and you'll nevertheless be sold on his infectious charm. The thing is though: he can actually sing, as evidenced in the groovy "Disco Daughter" and slow-burning closer "Kodachrome Daydream".

The high-energy musicianship is nothing short of outstanding throughout, especially in an album highlight like "Ashram", and especially considering this band is comprised of teenagers! Their age applies a context as to why "Native Sun" is more than your 'promising' debut, because it seems as though most kids starting a band at that age begin by sounding like a shadow of their favourite groups, but The Guru don't; they're braver than that and are trying to achieve more than that. The potential this band possess is staggering. When was the last time you heard a group of teenagers play with this amount of imagination?

8

Download: Barracuda Hands, Disco Daughter, Ashram; free download!
For The Fans of: Algernon Cadwallader, The Speed of Sound In Seawater, Modest Mouse
Listen: Bandcamp

Release Date 11.06.2011
Sex Cave Records


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