PersonA
by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
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  1. Monfa
    Apr 20, 2016
    8
    Just like when you travel, there are moments of joy, of emotion, of facing the adventure and there are also thoughtful moments, of longing, of peace, of reflection. To listen the album PersonA, seems to be that moment after the emotion and the sense of celebration and joy, when we need to rest a bit and "calm down", but still be themselves. We miss an extra participation in the voices, theJust like when you travel, there are moments of joy, of emotion, of facing the adventure and there are also thoughtful moments, of longing, of peace, of reflection. To listen the album PersonA, seems to be that moment after the emotion and the sense of celebration and joy, when we need to rest a bit and "calm down", but still be themselves. We miss an extra participation in the voices, the contrast of Jade and choirs could expose the group as what they are: a team of musicians who combine their talent to create a melody, however in PersonA, Alex takes more presence and the band seems to follow him, accompany him but no more than this. Very good album that allows us to appreciate other moments in this journey of The Magnetic Zeros… Expand
  2. Slowave
    Apr 21, 2016
    7
    It's a grower, and it's still growing, so I'm a bit hesitant to give it a rating yet. I feel like I need to listen with headphones, walk in the rain, and bond with it before I decide where this sits on the spectrum. I've both loved and wanted more from this band all along, and sometimes something as minor as recording quality or a "turd" lyric will just cause me to "smh" a little. ThatIt's a grower, and it's still growing, so I'm a bit hesitant to give it a rating yet. I feel like I need to listen with headphones, walk in the rain, and bond with it before I decide where this sits on the spectrum. I've both loved and wanted more from this band all along, and sometimes something as minor as recording quality or a "turd" lyric will just cause me to "smh" a little. That said, the talent and musical aptitude is consistently alluring, and this album has some great moments. Jade's absence, of course, is conspicuous, so it feels more like an Alexander album than a Magnetic Zeros album. It's hard to listen to "No Love Like Yours" without waiting for Jade to kick in. All in all.... I'm happy to give this more time, and I like it more after every listen. To be honest, the first listen felt like a downhill slope after Hot Coals.... and the sound quality felt tinny and echoed. Subsequent listens become less picky, and it's definitely a "grower," even if that's not what I want from this band. It feels a bit B-side at times, and after the long break this seems a bit tossed together. But... still worth getting to know.… Expand
  3. DasBarto
    Apr 16, 2016
    7
    I really like PersonA. I feel like it is a huge step forward for the band- I'm not saying I didn't like earlier projects, however this really feels more mature and well rounded than, say, Up From Below.

    I think PersonA is at it's best when The Magnetic Zeros venture to the blues/jazzy end of the spectrum- you can almost feel the immediate impact their new studio in New Orleans had. My    I really like PersonA. I feel like it is a huge step forward for the band- I'm not saying I didn't like earlier projects, however this really feels more mature and well rounded than, say, Up From Below.

    I think PersonA is at it's best when The Magnetic Zeros venture to the blues/jazzy end of the spectrum- you can almost feel the immediate impact their new studio in New Orleans had. My personal favorites off the PersonA were "Hot Coals", "Wake Up The Sun", and "Perfect Time".

    On the flip side, while I was really digging the darker sound of "Hot Coals" and "Uncomfortable" I was put off by the brighter sounds of "Somewhere" and "No Love Like Yours". They felt better suited for Bsides and really didn't match the record's tone.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Magnet
    Jun 1, 2016
    40
    Most disappointing about PersonA is that it oscillates between gutsy and lazy. [No. 131, p.51]
  2. PopMatters
    Apr 29, 2016
    50
    PersonA is maudlin and cold and conflicted to the bone, the high-contrast shadow vista creeping out from behind Up from Below‘s brimming effulgence. Here, there’s not a bright future, but a dystopia in which utopianism seems vital.
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  3. Rolling Stone
    Apr 22, 2016
    60
    The yaya factor is high indeed, and Ebert sings like a stoned Muppet. But his tuneful ease keeps the whimsy from dissolving into the pie-eyed ether.
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