Alexander - Million Years

A Million Years from Alexander

Alexander, he of Edward Sharpe fame has just released his own album and the stand out track for me is A Million Years plus the video is pretty good too. If you enjoyed the Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros album then check this out. They seem to a have spent a bob or two on the video...

MP3: A Million Years - Alexander

Thank you to his label Vagrant for letting me post this, you can buy the album at iTunes now.

Before Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros there was...

Ima Robot and the band are back with a new album. Alex Ebert, lead singer of ESATMZ, fronts Ima Robot and, as you've heard his voice before, it gives Ima Robot a familiar feel. I think I stated at the time that the ESATMZ had created an album with variety across it and this track just adds to that mix.

I was given a link to the video below and it's a great watch, skateboarding and pyrotechnics set to music by Ima Robot. The film is great in itself but keep watching as there is a "making of" section at the end which is nearly as good as the main film itself.



MP3: Ruthless - Ima Robot

Home

I've just arrived home from a white Christmas up north and so I'm hoping to catch up on some blogging over the next few days.

At the album release party for their debut "Up From Below" at LA's Roosevelt Hotel in July, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros raised money for the Gulu Widows Group of Uganda. The women used the band's donation to start a farm to sustain their community. They recently had their first harvest; to celebrate and show the band their appreciation they made this video in which they sing the band's song "Home."

"Home" in Gulu from The Voice Project on Vimeo.

MP3: Home - Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes - Daytrotter Sessions

I have another treat from Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes. They have recorded a session with Daytrotter.com and you can download five tracks for free from the web site. Here's a taster...

MP3: Up From Below - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes (Daytrotter Session)

Mini Album Review Week - Quick Round Up

A quick round up on the other albums I've not had chance to post about.

The Maccabees - Wall of Arms

With the help of Arcade Fire's producer clear from the very start of the album you start to forget that they actually need the talent behind them to produce that sound. A quality addition to my CD collection, with Can You Give It? as my personal favourite. They're touring all over the UK and Europe from now until Christmas.

Red Light Company - Fine Fascination

Catchy pop songs in the form of Meccano and Scheme Eugene are accompanied by middle of the road music. Sometimes you can stand in the middle of the road and nothing hits you...

MP3: Scheme Eugene (James Yuill remix) - Red Light Company

Cloud Cult - Meaning of 8

Not a new album but after playing Feel Good Ghosts to death I bought my wife (read me) their previous album, Meaning of 8. If you like Feel Good Ghosts then this is another one for your collection with highlights including Chain Reaction, Pretty Voice, Take Your Medicine and Chemicals Collide.

MP3: Pretty Voice - Cloud Cult

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below

I only received this the other day so perhaps I've not given it the listens it deserves yet. It's hippy rock, great for a road trip in the sun. They have managed something quite difficult, creating an album with a variety of songs yet not losing their overall sound.

MP3: 40 Day Dream - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

40 Day Dream - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

I don't know whether it's just because there's a load of people in the band but I can't help but compare Edward et al to The Polyphonic Spree. It's that hippy sound, everyone sat around a camp fire with the bus they arrived on in the background kind of feel. They made the cut for last month's playlist and since then someone associated with the band got in touch and has kindly allowed me to post this track, 40 Day Dream, which was their first single. I also now have the album so once I've had chance to listen to it more I'll hopefully give you a further run down. Judging by the tracks I've heard so far it's going to be a great summer album.

MP3: 40 Day Dream - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Note: Link now hosted somewhere else after box.net said it infringed copyright despite getting the OK from the record company...

Carries On - Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros

It's that time of the month again, we get paid, we pay off tickets we've bought on our credit card and look forward to the next pay day. I'm not sure whether there will be a playlist next month as our baby's due any moment and I don't know if I'll have time next month to listen to much music never mind put the posts together. However if you fancy emailing your suggestions for next month I might scrape one together. Let's get this one started...

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros are a ten piece group from LA. Seemingly '60s influenced and offering rousing choruses this track reminds me of something Richard Hawley and Jarvis Cocker might have had their hand in. An anthemic summer song for a sunny day's drive. Check out their MySpace for more tracks, their album is out now in the UK and US.

MP3: Carries On - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros