Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, with their first full-length album"Up From Below" out this year, has been likened by many outlets to a “hippy-ish arcade fire”. With never less than ten performers on stage at a time, usually more, they definitely have that kind of presence. Most of them sing, most of them play multiple instruments. The hard thing to put your finger on, though, is the sound. Upon my first listen, all I could do is smile. Big sounds with intimate words, playful, well thought-out and unbelievably catchy melodies, but also something different…what was it? It finally hit me, but I gotta take you back a little bit.
I’m a child of the late 70s and 80s. I loved to listen to music on my parents “entertainment unit” which was a monstrosity that contained a record player and an 8-track player. My mother introduced me when I was about 6 years old to a record (that came with its own illustrated songbook!) called “Free to Be, You and Me”. Released in 1972 I was a little late on this one, but it didn’t matter. This record was so popular with kids, including me, that it was later created into a television special with songs and stories by a bizarre assortment of celebrities including Marlo Thomas, Roberta Flack, Michael Jackson, Kris Kristofferson, Mel Brooks and Alan Alda.
What I realized after listening to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is that they have what “Free to be You and Me” has. That 70s “kids record” sound of signing and performing with total reckless happiness and freedom. They bang on multiple instruments with laughter, hoots and hollers in the background. A track called Home is a perfect example of this style. Seemingly a simple silly love song between lead singer Edward Sharpe (a.k.a. Alex Ebert) and singer Jade Castrinos, the song ends up taking you somewhere quite personal, with a spoken word interlude in which they regale us a story of how Jade fell out a window and was “bleedin’ all over”. It ends with the group singing the chorus until it almost bursts from the speakers “Home, yes I am Home! Home is whenever I’m with you.” That sounds just about right. The album does feel like home.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are finishing up a tour now, with their next show at the Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver on Dec. 8th.
MP3: Edward Shape and the Magnetic Zeros - Home
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3 comments:
Thanks for posting this! I am mad about the song and after reading your post, I see why you and I both might like it. I also adored Free to be You and Me!
this is a really great post- I've been loving this song all week since its hit hypem. couldn't agree more with your description of the 70's/80's big sound vibe. thanks.
thanks guys! i probably listened to this album for a week straight before i wrote the review, and i am constantly finding new things that jump out at me as brilliant.
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