And you ask, just why are Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (see previous post) so good? Well, there's a catchy joyousness in the tracks. And there's a relaxed funkiness in the recording. And there's some kind of infectious wackiness in the arrangements and the background vocals.
It sounds like a group of folks who had a hell of a good time making a record. There are strange turns and mad flights and there's soulfulness, and wisdom and a sense of falling and rising.
"Up from Below."
It seems like it's about a journey to some kind of bottom and then there's a redemption, an uplift!
And just what does this band sound like? Well, they sound like themselves. I mean, they bring something of their own to the project, but yes, I can play that silly "what do they sound like game."
I mean, everyone has their precursors.
I hear a little Arcade Fire, Harry Nilsson, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Ennio Morricone, Connor Oberst/Bright Eyes, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Neil Diamond, Harry Chapin, and Burt Bacharach?!? There's a sunny Sixties-ness that kind of hovers over the whole thing. Yes, it's that wacky Hippie Spirit-Shit! And I love it!
It works. Completely!