Customer Reviews

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I heard "Home" on the radio yesterday and couldn't wipe the smile off my face. That track is an instant all time fave of mine, and the album is great.

After stumbling upon "Home" on hypem, I saw their album was just $5 on Amazon. After listening to previews of the other songs on the album, I went ahead and bought it. I don't usually listen to this genre of music but I actually am liking the CD so far. "Home" is already a favorite, as well as Jade, Janglin', and a few others. Their music is different from what I usually listen to, but the purchase was well worth it.

How to describe this sound - rich, dynamic, eclectic: mix one part Arcade Fire, one part Johnny Cash (sprinkled with a pinch of June Carter), toss in some Sgt. Peppers era Beatles, oh and don't forget the AM GOLD. I am just in love with this album.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros' vibe reminded me specifically of the 1995 album Sunday Morning Cartoons Greatest Hits. Though Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros don't have a cartoonish vibe or sound the band evokes a trippy hippy dippy serenity that you use to get from being in your P.J.'s while eating a bowl of Frankenberry in front of the boobtube watching real cartoons. I'm talking about The Banana Splits, H.R. Puff `n' Stuff, and The Bugaloos. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros' self titled album has may voices and instruments that are showcased in songs like "40 Day Dream, Janglin, and Home. This group will definitely bring a smile to people who were around in the 60's and generation X'ers who get a kick out of knowing real music. The band will also appeal to college age folks for the "Neo Hippie" go with the flow lyrics. If you catch a music video of this band on youtube then you'll notice the band members of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros have a thrift store outdoorsy look the makes you think they wouldn't mind camping outside on the ground. In the videos the bandmates also look like they're having fun and the creativity genes are thriving when they play their folk rock music. Get this album if your head is in the clouds and your feet are on the ground and you want to walk through a field of polyphonic sound saying today was a good day.

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros sure does know how to create a debut album worth a million listens, even without the help of anyone named Edward Sharpe. The debut album, titled Up from Below, was released July 2009.

Frontman Alex Ebert and singer Jade Castrinos lead this group with their carefree love for music and folk/hippie styles. Ebert is a messy-haired, barefoot hippie whose love for music easily comes across in this album. The group creates lovable, happy-go-lucky music that makes it irresistible to join in and start singing along.

The name Edward Sharp comes from a messianic figure Ebert created. Ebert - also the lead singer of Ima Robot - was trying to get his life back on track after going through some tough times. He began to write a book that included the character Edward Sharpe, who acted as Ebert's alter-ego. A little later, Ebert met fellow band member Castrinos in Los Angeles, where they then formed the group Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros. They have been touring and creating music ever since.

Their debut album truly sets the stage for other up-and-coming folk/rock artists. With a band that is genuinely happy to be playing music - an important aspect of music many bands lack today - the bar is set high. They may not have a huge fan base or an overwhelming amount of experience in today's music scene, but they sure do have talent.

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros use their large size to their advantage. A variety of instruments can be heard throughout the entire album, including a trumpet that adds a lively, up-beat sound. But don't let the collaboration of instruments fool you - the singing is by far one of the best attributes of this band. Ebert and Castrinos are a duo that could take this band far. And, there's nothing better than the entire band singing together during a chorus or contributing unique, tidbit tunes here and there throughout each song. Everything about this group just seems right.

Easily the most popular song from their album, "Home" has a very catchy tune - you may even find yourself singing (and whistling!) the tune for the next couple of weeks. "Home" is an easy-to-listen-to love song with its mellow simplicity that captures the attention of anyone even remotely interested. This song is a true foot-tapper that you can never get enough of.

"Janglin" is another standout song from this album. It starts out with a simple, acoustic sound that evolves into the group singing a silly "mmmbop" tune and transforms into Ebert singing with a classic, `old-time' sound. When the group comes together to sing the chorus, a whole new element is added. In a split second, the song goes from great to exceptionally fun and incredible.

Another fan favorite is "40 Day Dream," a song that immediately starts out with a beat worth getting into. It may be a little slower than some of their other songs, but it certainly doesn't disappoint. The stripped-down vocals near the end of the song show just how well this group can manipulate instruments and vocals to create a distinguished sound that works well for them.

If you're looking for an album that's different and refreshing, this is the one to check out. Up from Below is a mix of classic and contemporary tunes transformed into a folk-indie album. It easily contains some of the best songs released in recent years, so pick up a copy of Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros' debut album, and don't worry about wiping that ear-to-ear grin off your face after you take a listen.

I heard "Home" while in the car on the local radio station, WTTS, one day in late July. I was instantly drawn to it. Both voices in this particular track, the more and more I hear it, are so intense and melodic that I have to rank it as one of my top tracks of the year. The lyrics are even equally intense for this track, and probably tugged at my heartstrings a bit. And this bit of information is the sole reason I am giving this record 3 stars, instead of 2. I've listened to this album a few times now, and I just don't feel it. "Home," to me, is the only track I feel through my bones. Every other track, lyrically and musically, has done nothing for me. Alex Ebert's voice constantly throughout the entire record reminded me of Bob Dylan's... I just kept flashing back to that era. This is an extreme compliment, as I think Dylan owned one of the best voices in music history. Which is why with each track, I was hopeful. However, I just don't feel it. I am obviously in the minority here. I will continue to listen to this album on occasion, and hope it grows on me.

I've listened to this album about a dozen times now and cannot get over how friggin' good it is. The best five bucks I've ever spent!

I found out about these guys by luck. I noticed my friend John had the song Home in his recent plays list. Then the next morning I heard my brother Steve play the song. Listening to it half asleep, I fell in love with it. Then realizing what I had heard was the same guys John was listening to I decided to get the album and check it out. Edward Sharpe's debut album Up from Below unexpectedly became one of my favorite albums of the year. Edward Sharpe and Crew successfully brought me back to a better time, allowing me to revisit the Wild Wild West as if it were a soundtrack to a classic western film.

Let me first introduce Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. First off, what an awesome band name. The name Edward Sharpe, while only the name of the lead singer's alter ego, sounds completely believable while sounding pretty cool at the same time. The Magnetic Zeroes while on it's own sounds like a decent band, name when combined with Edward Sharpe you have something unique and truly memorable. The lead singer, Alex Ebert, aka Edward Sharpe is a very interesting man. Elbert who was also the lead singer of the rock band IMA Robot, which I am sure none of you have heard of them as I haven't either. Apparently, after years of living a rockn'rolla lifestyle of drugs and partying, Ebert decided to get his life back in line. He spent a year living in a small apartment sleeping on a mattress where he tried to distance himself from others. In an attempt to figure out his true identity Ebert came up with the messianic persona and alter ego Edward Sharpe. According to Ebert the name has no true meaning. It just sounded right. Around that time Ebert met Jade, the lead female singer of the group and that's where Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes began.


Up from Below possesses a majestic western theme. I'm not exactly sure how they did it, but if you listen you won't be able to get westerns out of your head. I think it has something to do with the whistling most of the songs. The album art also shows the 10 member band out in the desert. Even the music videos are set in the west. Let me just mention that the band made a 12 part musical made of videos of each track which tells a story. Only two parts have been released so far. Edward Sharpe really has a nice classic rock sound, while also maintaining unique contemporary style. I believe the song Home is an instant classic. It's an extremely eclectic song, with an amazing whistling melody whirling throughout. The lyrics tell a story of a man and a woman who are in love, and are only at "home" when they are with each other. I especially enjoy the spoken bridge when Edward Sharpe (Alexander) is speaking to Jade telling a story of how Jade fell out of his window and almost died. And as he drove her to the hospital he told her that he was in love with her, but had never told her until just now (then). Just give the song a listen and you'll be as impressed as me.


Other standouts of the album are 40 Day Dream which I was shocked when I just recently heard it play on the radio. Also notable are Black Water and Janglin. Some of you might recognize Janglin from the Ford commercial. One of my other favorites of the album is Kisses over Babylon which is mostly sung in Spanish. Kisses over Babylon truly elicits the feeling of being in the Wild West riding a horse and gunning down bad guys in the middle of town. I highly suggest checking out the music video for the song which is part 2 of the series. Both the music and visuals are extraordinary.

Up from Below might be my favorite album of the year. The catch is that the album came out in July 2009. Don't ask me why I only found out about it now, and why they are just now playing their songs on the radio. That just shows you how messed up the system is. Anyway, definitely check out this album. I'm also waiting for Alex Ebert's solo album which comes out soon. You can listen to his single below. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes might be a little to indie for many of you out there, but take a leap of faith and give it a shot. It will take you to a better place.

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I don't know how to describe this CD, except that it makes me feel like I travelled back in time to an era where music was Awesome.

I just got this album and listen to it over and over again...got it because it was cheap and I liked what i heard from the little snippets....the only weak track is kisses from babylon...but that grows on you after time...would give it 5stars but only for that misstep. If you like floyd..cash...beatles...dylan..black keys...you cannot go wrong with this album...it grows on you each time you listen to it...I always think music like this is dying slowly...but each year some new young buck surprises me....but you be the judge