Stop what you’re doing. The award for the most joyous album of the month goes to this 11-piece barefooted hippie-folk outfit from LA.
Up from Below is a classic analogue-sounding album which sounds like it was recorded somewhere in the 60s by a cohort of close-knit kindred spirits intent on bringing some love to the world. It’s got that mystic, feel-good singalong vibe and an undeniable link to the counter-culture of the past. The band even tour in a big yellow school bus for jaysus sake.
There’s a psychedelia-influence and although it’s hard to pinpoint exact influences there are echoes of, as many have pointed out – Johnny Cash and June Carter, The Mamas and Papas, Dusty Springfield, Motown, Roy Orbison, a tinge of Arcade Fire bombastics and Ennio Morricone yet it still feels entirely fresh. It might be down to the exuberance of the band, particularly the vocalists Alex Ebert (formerly of Ima Robot) and Jade Castrinos’ boisterous timbre.
Huge props to Cougar Microbes for recommending these guys on the recent blogger trip to Paris. He’s so infatuated he went to all three of their London gigs recently.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – 40 Day Dream
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – Home
[Buy from Rough Trade | eMusic | iTunes | Amazon UK | US ]
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
Tsk tsk Nialler – if only you had listened to me back in March and came along to see them at SXSW instead of going for a freaking chicken taco….
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2009/03/20/sxsw-music-2009-were-jamming/
See u @ the various HWCH sessions over the weekend
jim
Still not enough people talking about them though, hence the aul blog post.
And actually, I don’t remember eating ANY tacos there. (Hides)
I’ve been listening to this record for a few weeks now (ever since a friend traveled 250 miles alone on a bus just to see their August New York show) and it’s a goddamn fresh joy.
The kind of record you feel good about recommending.
The kind of record you want to be friends with.
If I could sum it up in one word, you said it yourself, Niall – Exuberance!
they make the polyphonic spree sound EMO, love it
And actually, I don’t remember eating ANY tacos there. (Hides)
🙂 heh, heh, that must have been me then
A great, great band who can turn any audience into fans. Hopefully their eco-friendly old school bus will get them to Ireland soon
Awesome Niall. Live show soon hopefully!