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.
Edward Sharpe - Home by VagrantRecords
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.
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - 40 Daydream by KROQ
Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros - Janglin' (iTunes Session) by VagrantRecords
Alex Ebert - Truth by isaidahip
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