Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

On paper, Alex Ebert (a.k.a. Edward Sharpe) and the 11-12 musicians comprising the Magnetic Zeros sound a lot like those obnoxious dudes down the street who think it's 1969, especially if your street is located in Williamsburg, Echo Park, or some other hip crossroads of irony and earnestness. Ebert ties his hair into a makeshift crown while performing. The band drives around in a converted school bus. Said bus is driven by a guy named "Cornfed." The whole operation sounds like an exercise in empty nostalgia, but as "40 Day Dream" indicates, there's nothing affected about Ebert's songwriting chops. Like its obvious Motown antecedents, "40 Day Dream"'s keening strings and Ebert's theatrical delivery make the song sound like a man at the end of his tether, when in fact he's just really happy to be in love-- "the magical mystery kind," lest you think the Magnetic Zeros are all honesty and no postmodernity. Punchy percussion is "40 Days"' most captivating and crucial feature; it helps the song maintain buoyance through two lengthy breakdowns, and neutralizes some of the melodrama endemic to lyrics concerning new love. Ultimately, the song unfolds and evolves beautifully, letting the listener bask in layers of ebullient analog sound, handclaps, and an infectious chorus. These techniques might smack of hollow revivalism, but the overall effect is utterly sincere. - Pitchfork

RIYL: Devotchka, Yeasayer, Here We Go Magic
TRY: #1, 3, 4, 8

Full Album Available Here:
https://www.piratepirate.com/downloads/

http://www.myspace.com/edwardsharpe