Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes is an American folk rock band formed in Los Angeles, California. The group is led by lead singer Alex Ebert, formerly of art rock outfit Ima Robot. They evoke the vibes, feels, and sounds of the Hippie era in a way reminiscent of the Flaming Lips. Edward Sharpe is a Bowie-eseque alter ego for Ebert based on a messianic figure he developed in a story while in drug rehabilitation. In his words - “I don't want to put too much weight on it, because in some ways it's just a name that I came up with. But I guess if I look deeper, I do feel like I had lost my identity in general. I really didn't know what was going on or who I was anymore. Adopting another name helped me open up an avenue to get back.” He began writing and recording along, writing the horn lines with his mouth or a kazoo on the demos. He met singer Jade Castrinos outside of an LA cafe, formed a collective, which eventually spun off into the Magnetic Zeroes. Their debut album Up From Below was recorded in Laurel Canyon, and was produced by Aaron Older and Nico Aglietti. Album opener "40 Day Dream" sounds like The Arcade Fire produced by Phil Spector, "Come in Please" evokes Love’s "Forever Changes". "Home" is nearly unavoidable in popular culture, its iconic whistling being featured in dozens of films and advertisements over the years. This record is packaged in an embossed gatefold sleeve and includes a 12"x12" booklet with information about the making of the album. 

• black vinyl pressing
• embossed gatefold sleeve
• includes 12x12"16 page booklet with detailed liner notes
• limited edition
• music label: Vagrant Records 2019

reviewed by SHE WANTS REVENGE 07/2019