Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ second album, Here, is no sophomore slump. With just as much bluegrass-folk fun as Up From Below, you’ll be stomping your feet to the beat. This album shows a perfecting of layering of the banjo, accordion and trumpet. Jade Castrinos and Alex Ebert are as charming as ever in their vocal pairing, which you may remember from “Home” (used on pretty much every network television show). All nine songs will please fans, but look out in particular for the catchy “I Don’t Wanna Pray,” the poignant, soulful “Man on Fire” and the reggae-vibe “One Love to Another.”
This article appears in Aug 30 – Sep 5, 2012.