Driving > Disco

The most anticpated #MusicMonday post for D > D of March, 2010...

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is an ensemble band with Alex Ebert front and center. I was just as unfamiliar with Mr. Ebert's former act (Ima Robot) as I was with ESatMZ, but, in the case of the latter, that quickly changed (I do plan on checking out Ima Robot, just haven't had much time, as of late).

NPR's Song of the Day feature (quickly becoming one of my favorites) had a piece about the Magnetic Zeros by Stephen Thompson which elaborates a little on the group. An eclectic group, Thompson describes them as "a hippie version of Arcade Fire with 10 members and a dreadlocked, frequently shirtless frontman." This description conjures up images of the Polyphonic Spree, at least one of their low head count days, but take a listen to any of the three songs below and you'll quickly forget any visual comparisons you could make to them. All of the tracks are from their first, full length release "Up From Below." Needless to say, these are not the "official" video releases from the band.

With only one album released to date, and a touring scheduled composed of LA (or at least all CA), there is not a lot of material for me to expound upon. It should say something that I've included three tracks below, when I only know of fifteen(-ish) that they have recorded period. My interest in this group reminds me of the time I was obsessed with Widespread Panic. I had to know what they were doing at all times: when the next album was coming out, what last night's set list was, what was that new song they covered, etc. I think I'll be yearning for new music from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros for some time to come. Enjoy and happy Monday!

Home - one of (if not) the best track on the album. At times, a little hokey, but still a great song through and through.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjFaenf1T-Y


40 Day Dream



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0RQnGhxZzg


Om Nashi Me - the first song I ever heard by the group and still my favorite.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGBu_VoHMrk