Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

Fun Fun Fun Fest Sunday Reviews

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

Here (Vagrant)

With 2009 debut Up From Below, Edward Sharpe tapped an uncanny vein of folky sing-a-long and charismatic weirdness. Here settles in perfectly as a follow-up, leading with the downbeat whoop and harmony of "Man on Fire" and cloyingly catchy "That's What's Up." Frontman Alex Ebert shoots more sincerity with the sophomore effort, which paradoxically results in a set that feels about as authentic as his previous Ima Robot persona. Jade Castrinos reprises her role as daydreaming foil to Ebert's shaman, humming harmony on the circle-chant of "Mayla" and taking a gospel soul turn on "Fiya Wata," but the L.A. outfit's watered-down Cat Stevens imitation on "Dear Believer," and repetitive Devendra Banhart warble of "Child" both lack any substance, for all their faux-religious pretensions. As if to cap off the imitative façade of the entire production, closer "All Wash Out" riffs rhythm from Dylan's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue." (Sun., Orange stage, 8:50pm)

**

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

Support the Chronicle  

READ MORE
More Music Reviews
Paper Cuts: No Desire's Agile Debut and Five More Songs
Paper Cuts
New Austin music picks from francene rouelle, variety

Carys Anderson, Jan. 26, 2024

A Saucy, Seven-Course Musical at Boggy Creek Farm
A Saucy, Seven-Course Musical at Boggy Creek Farm
Jade Fusco’s activist interactive recruited members of Ley Line, BluMoon, and more

Carys Anderson, Nov. 24, 2023

More by Doug Freeman
Book Review: <i>Truckload of Art: The Life and Work of Terry Allen</i>
Book Review: Truckload of Art: The Life and Work of Terry Allen
New authorized biography vividly exhumes the artist’s West Texas world

April 19, 2024

Geto Gala, Two Step Inn, and a 420 Smokeout Headline Our Crucial Concerts
Geto Gala, Two Step Inn, and a 420 Smokeout Headline Our Crucial Concerts
From country to hip-hop to sludge metal, get some ideas for your week in live music

April 19, 2024

MORE IN THE ARCHIVES
One click gets you all the newsletters listed below

Breaking news, arts coverage, and daily events

Keep up with happenings around town

Kevin Curtin's bimonthly cannabis musings

Austin's queerest news and events

Eric Goodman's Austin FC column, other soccer news

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle