User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros Image
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release from the band led by Alex Ebert was partially recorded at the same time as 2012's Here.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Let's Get High
Let's Get High! High on love Bounce with the bigots in the North Got me rocking back and forth And the bigots in the South Don't you know it make no... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 21
  2. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Q Magazine
    Jan 27, 2014
    80
    Nominally folk gospel, they embrace an array of styles from rock to dance, via unashamedly esoteric. [Oct 2013, p.100]
  2. 75
    The freedom of expression and thematic irregularity that we hear while listening to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is a fabulous release from the traditionally despised contract that constrained Ebert’s first and former band, Ima Robot.
  3. Jul 23, 2013
    70
    Ringleader Alex Ebert produced the album and sonically, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros feels slick and compressed.
  4. Jul 23, 2013
    60
    At their best, they conjure a California-commune Arcade Fire. But they can also verge on a hippie Hee Haw.
  5. Aug 21, 2013
    60
    Of course, as with any such unrelentingly blissful formula, if their sky-facing euphoria and sentimentality can’t be matched then the whole thing can be terribly nauseating.
  6. Jul 22, 2013
    55
    Ultimately, it's unfair and even glib to say this album doesn't hold water because it has no "Home" or "40 Day Dream," but all the same, one laments the loss of the magical, poppy Midas touch Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros once wielded with such ease.
  7. Jul 22, 2013
    40
    On record, though--and particularly this one, which presents churchy performances in mixes both realistic and surreal--these same Up With People tropes don't work as well, particularly with prolonged exposure, as inferior follow-ups to promising debuts by the Polyphonic Spree and I'm From Barcelona have proven.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Jan 12, 2014
    10
    Another amazing album from these guys. They just keep getting better. It's kind of different to their earlier stuff, it's more like 1970's TheAnother amazing album from these guys. They just keep getting better. It's kind of different to their earlier stuff, it's more like 1970's The Beatles music than the kind of Jefferson Airplane/Matthews Southern Comfort Band I get from their first two albums. But still a very good album Expand
  2. Apr 28, 2014
    10
    Raw, emotive, energetic and infectious..the album feels as though it tumbled through a time machine from the 60s. These are the hymns to lifeRaw, emotive, energetic and infectious..the album feels as though it tumbled through a time machine from the 60s. These are the hymns to life from the messianic character Edward Sharpe. In a landscape of autotune and plastic productions, this is fresh air.

    Sometimes all you need is happy music and love.
    Expand
  3. Jun 2, 2014
    10
    Bandleader-vocalist, Alex Ebert is full on love drunk in band's third LP. With a sort of psychedelic and 1970's sound, this album will leaveBandleader-vocalist, Alex Ebert is full on love drunk in band's third LP. With a sort of psychedelic and 1970's sound, this album will leave you with goose bumps and good vibes. The 10-piece band adds a rich and harmonious sound to Ebert's beautiful yet whiny voice. Seeing and hearing songs from this LP truly pull on your heartstrings and get you emotionally involved in the concert.

    Overall, an upbeat and positive album that will be sure to bring a smile to your face.
    Expand
  4. Jul 29, 2013
    10
    This band keeps getting better and better. Every song in this album is so powerful and amazing that you can't stop listening to it! A trueThis band keeps getting better and better. Every song in this album is so powerful and amazing that you can't stop listening to it! A true masterpiece. Collapse
  5. Sep 14, 2015
    10
    From the first time I heard this album could not stop more , I feel it is exactly about what artists should sing in the current worldFrom the first time I heard this album could not stop more , I feel it is exactly about what artists should sing in the current world situation , should sing about love, should sing about freedom and political consciousness , and this album is just that, they managed to make a work of art , worthy of being heard and followed by this generation

    Desde a primeira vez que ouvi esse álbum não consegui parar mais, sinto que é exatamente sobre isso que os artistas deveriam cantar na situação atual do mundo, deveriam cantar sobre amor, deveriam cantar sobre liberdade e consciência politica, e esse álbum representa exatamente isso, eles conseguiram fazer uma obra de arte, digna de ser ouvida e seguida por essa geração
    Expand
  6. Jul 23, 2013
    8
    This band keeps doing what it does, and it does it better than anyone else is doing. Good music is good music, and while some critics can'tThis band keeps doing what it does, and it does it better than anyone else is doing. Good music is good music, and while some critics can't seem to separate the music from the story behind it (Ima Robot and the question of "how can these guys be for real?"), there really is no denying that this is simply "good music." Forget about hippies, folk revival, Lennon, and hipsters. Forget about Ebert and his past, and forget that this is 2013 and not 1970. Don't read Pitchfork and don't read Spin. If you are in the mood to accept this music for what it is (creatively melodic, adventurous, convincing and well executed), then the music will speak for itself. Even the tracks that at first glance seem to be "filler" grow into favorites after a few listens. A great album from a great band that is doing something unique. Nuff said. Expand