Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros are the proverbial good-time band with substance. Led by the charismatic Alex Ebert (charismatic in a cult leader kinda way, which is exactly what Ebert’s after, adopting the messianic alter-ego of Edward Sharpe), the Magnetic Zeros are a constantly mutating band of a dozen or so musicians, who trade on a joyous brand of psych-folk. So far they’ve released two albums: 2009’s Up From Below, and 2012’s Here. On record the material has always been lively, but it’s on stage that the songs have morphed into the rapturous bursts of almost evangelical fervour that you always sensed they could be. Until now.
ESATMZ’s third, self-titled album is a far more raucous beast than its predecessors. While on Here, Ebert played the cruisy folk troubadour, the latest album finds him transformed into the soul-rattling man of fire. The jangly pop of lead single Better Days opens the set, with its nostalgic yearning for a time when love was supposedly freer and easier (the mythic late ‘60s, let’s presume). Then, after a short pause, Ebert bellows: “Let’s get high!” and it’s into the irrepressible, hip-shaking groove of Let’s Get High. You can just sense the mixing board peaking out (now there’s an apt term for this band) as Ebert’s distorted voice thunders: “Don’t you know it makes no difference to Christ / We’re all Jesus in disguise / When we’re high, on love”. Life Is Hard, despite its murky title, is a similar – and absolutely stunning – affirmation of love and positivity, with Ebert unleashing some incredible falsetto vocals. Actually, the whole album is pretty much a blissed-out love-fest.
The one, striking exception is They Were Wrong. It’s the moment of the party when shit turns sour. To the foreboding pulse of the bass drum, Ebert steers his voice way down low, echoing the dark baritone of the original Man In Black. It’s a breathtaking moment of darkness in an album otherwise bathed in the brightest of bright lights.
These songs are sure going to be an experience live.
WAYNE MARSHALL
Best track: Let’s Get High
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In A Word: Loveapalooza
