Critiques CD: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros | Here

As a follow-up to 2009’s indie smash Up From Below, for which Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros enchanted fans and critics alike with Ennio Morricone-inspired orchestral americana and unforgettable singalong “Home”, Here is neither here nor there. Opener “Man On Fire” is at times moving with its lovely, hooting call for the “whole damn world” to join frontman Alex Ebert in his stoney shuffle; and “Fiya Wata” is a reworking of a song the group has been performing live as far back as their 2010 Osheaga slot, with Jade Castrinos’ powerful vocals evocative of Grace Slick circa 1966. Elsewhere, Here forgoes the cinematic passion of their debut and instead turns too preachy-hippie-dippie pseudo-spiritual trip. What’s worse, the abuse of the love-solves-everything trope seems dubious in its over-simplicity – not to mention, blatantly opportunistic. Because what could be a better formula than combining orchestral indie rock featuring group singalongs à la Arcade Fire with the free-spirited lovefest idealism of the 60s?