Up From Below

I spotted this on Amazon.com and saw the positive reviews here and decided I would give it a go. That was the best thing I did that day, I am new to the glorious sounds of 'Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros', but I intend to become fully acquainted after hearing this.

They have been compared to the hippy culture of the late sixties and I don't think they would disagree. They reminded me in places of the aural joy you get in some of the songs of that time and the outpouring of love from shows like 'Hair' etc. They all have a go at singing and have a plethora of instruments including harmonica, accordion, trumpets and even a viola, but I am sure they have a few tambourines too. This is in no way cacophonous; it is a beautiful blend of nostalgia that is brought up to date exploding with the joys of life. I am a bit gushy there, but you have to hear it to get the full thing.

Opening track '40 Day dream' is all percussion, keyboards and a riff that will pull you along effortlessly, but the mood changes on every track. 'Jade' is a low key love ode to, well Jade, who sings and plays percussion with the Zeros. Track 4 'Carries On' is my current favourite, but I love all of them. What I really appreciate is the way they all burst into song at the chorus a bit like Polyphonic Spree used to do, but this is miles better.

'Kisses Over Babylon' is Spanish I think and just oozes emotion and 'Black Water' just keeps haunting me. This will not float everyone's boat, but if yours don't move then you really aint in touch with your inner child and have probably never hugged a tree let alone climbed one. I'm off to listen again and do some recreational medication (or have a cup of herbal tea - peace).

That the vinyl is better than the other formats is no big surprise since sonically those versions (CD & MP3) suck. True, this is lo-fi & an homage to the sound of 60s. This set is mastered by Doug Sax, so likely it's as good as it can get. The vinyl does still sound compressed though, I imagine because the recording is, not the mastering per se. There is some greater detail & separation thankfully. Big bottom end. The vinyl is not quiet, but I have yet to give it a thorough cleaning.

I too of course heard HOME on Serius and raced to get their CD. Was thrilled to fly from Canada to see them, Mumford and Old Crow in New Orleans together. The CD as a whole listening experience is a fantastic original masterpiece. Buy the CD just so you know the songs and can appreciate how actually good they are when you see them live.