UP FROM BELOW

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros I "Up From Below" I 2009
Fronted by former Ima Robot member Alex Ebert, the idea for the band stemmed from a story Ebert was writing, about a mythological character named Edward Sharpe sent to spread the healing power of music across the world. Taking on the persona of this character thats exactly what Ebert set out to create. Bringing together a large group of musicians including his girlfriend at the time, singer Jade Castrinos, the band was formed in 2007 and gradually as they developed their friendships and love for making music they starting recording the songs for the debut album. The intention of the music was to create songs that focused on bringing about positive energy rather than songs that were fighting against something. 
The result is an album that will truly put you in the happiest mood you could possibly feel. Since its debut it has continued to grow into one of those albums I can't stop listening to and became a staple for road trips to the cottage this summer. I saw them live at the Phoenix at the end of July and I can't even begin to put in words what an experience it was. To feel the energy created by these guys is something fantastic. Not one person there wasn't smiling, singing, and dancing all night and to see how gracious they were to feel the energy they had created among the crowd reciprocated back to them was something very special to experience at a concert. They finished the night with Alex walking as far out into the audience as his mike would let him and got everyone to sit down on the ground around him while we sang along to"Brother" with him. 
Call them new age cult hippies, call them what you will, their is an amazing feeling that comes from this album and they have created something powerful without setting out to preach about anything other than love and music. Which when it comes down to it, is all this world really needs.
Highlights...
"40 Day Dream" - great opener to clap to and the lyrics are just priceless.
"Up From Below" - a redemption song that really expresses Ebert's past battles with drugs.
"Carries On" - never fails to make me smile through the entire day, pure joy.
"Desert Song" - possibly my favourite on the album, their is just this surreal energy in the core of the song that was phenomenal to hear live.
"Home" - the epic love song that has caused quite a sensation.