On
Hefner's last record, Dead Media, the band had already begun eschewing guitars for synthesizers. That may have caused the band to split, but it also produced the pleasant electronic indie pop of the French. On their debut full-length,
Hefner's
John Morrison and
Darren Hayman maintain that Brit-pop group's vocals and lyrical commentary. But the music here is essentially synths. And
Local Information is much friendlier than the last few
Hefner efforts, as they certainly don't have issues with England like they did on We Love the City. It may put off fans of their cynical rock, but it will also win over fans of electronic indie pop artists like
the Postal Service or
Joy Electric. The French are even rather sweet on such tunes as "The Stars, the Moon, the Sun and the Clouds" and the melancholy "When She Leaves Me." Peculiar songs regarding
the Wu-Tang Clan and
Peter Gabriel show that
Hayman hasn't lost his eccentricity. ~ Kenyon Hopkin