With
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros,
Alex Ebert made the dramatic 180 from sleazy electroclash-leaning punk singer in his former band
Ima Robot to grizzly bearded bandleader in an 11-piece down-home freak folk revue, bright psychedelic colors and farmhouse harmonies replacing his not too distant past of black leather and smirky sneers. The band's debut album,
Up from Below, had some bright moments when the strength of the songwriting cut through the affectation. A few years later,
Here is much the same. The album opens strongly, with the undeniably catchy pair of tunes "Man on Fire" and "That's What's Up," both rising to handclapping summits of old-fashioned Southern revival and jug band jubilation. Lead vocalist
Jade Castrinos reprises her role trading verses with
Ebert on these songs and later takes center stage on the electrified "Fiya Wata."
Castrinos' contributions feel spirited and from the gut. Later on in the album, many nods are made to various influences from different sects of hippie culture, including
Bob Marley and
Jerry Garcia. ~ Fred Thomas