I was a huge fan of the first Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zero's debut album Up from Below, so I was super excited to hear their second album Here. It was released last Tuesday and overall, I was not disappointed by their second attempt. At first listen, the whole album sounds like it was written on a train in a completely different era.... its definitely not the most musically progressive album of the year. One thing this album does right is continue to perfect that happy, hippie, chill vibe the band is all about. I don't think they've written another epic indie hit like "Home", but there are definitely some highlights on the album. Opening track "Man on Fire" is easily my favorite on the album and is very reminiscent of an old Johnny Cash tune. The album was released with perfect timing for summer and I know I'll be listening to it for the next few months.
I didn't like it on first listen. Slowly grown on me though...While there are no stand out tunes theres still some good jams. Namely "Man on Fire" and "Dear Believer"
It definitely captures that late-model Johnny Cash style, but for the ensemble size, I'd like to hear them take a stab at the Simon & Garfunkel feel: very percussive, sweeping, and a lot less kitschy.
I feel like this group's strong suit is in its replication of a certain era of music, almost like taking a suit from the Salvation Army and trying to recreate its tattered, moth-ball fade as a new run.