Style: Psychedelic rock with southern/soul influences; compare to The Who, The Doors, Alexander
Top tracks: “Man on Fire,” “I Don’t Wanna Pray,” “All Wash Out”
On their sophomore album, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros return to celebrate what NPR calls “the aftermath and side effects of being saved.” This southern rock, gospel, and soul-infused slate contains raucous anthems and reflective ballads, culminating in a polished, larger-than-life jam session. Whether Alex Ebert and his cohorts assume an evangelical view of salvation may be unclear, but they certainly preach the gospel of love. With lyrics like, “I’m looking to become not the pray-er but the prayer,” Here basks in a state of absolution, marked by a life saturated with love rather than just talk of it.
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