Review: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes- Up From Below

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is a group formed by Ima Robot frontman, Alex Ebert, and features around ten musicians. This may get you thinking of I’m From Barcelona, the Swedish band with enough members to start a small army, but don’t worry!

Ed Sharpe's debut album, Up From Below, has touches of I’m From Barcelona and The Vaselines--plus, a hint of Bowie/Damon Albarn-style vocals. It's got enough traits to be a stand out for 2009. The kaleidoscope of colorful brass instruments and soaring group vocals give the record a 1960’s pop feel, and will sound familiar to first time listeners--but in a refreshing way.

The disco-tinged string section of the opening "40 Day Dream", combined with the feel-good-time-sing-a-long vocals, are a promising start. The rest of the record follows with a blend of alternative and folk influences, making for an interesting soundscape. It goes to show the Zeros have an exciting way of making music you’ve heard before sound new.

The album slows down a little by the end, but still manages to keep the groove going with "I Come In Please", a song that could’ve been sung by Dusty Springfield. Everything closes with "Om Nashi Me": a culmination of the album's sound, and a fitting closer to a stand out album.

Up From Below is worth the time of any avid pop band. You’ll find yourself repeating it often, and finding something cool about it each time. As the album's final words say, “go ahead” and give Up From Below a spin. Just try not to get these songs stuck in your head--it won’t happen!

Check the band's performance on Letterman in Sept. over here: clickity.

For more info on Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, go to edwardsharpeandthemagneticzeroes.com.

-Article by Doug Liggins

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