PersonA [LP]

by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

Overview

For their fourth LP, PersonA, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros changed up their process, gathering the whole band into a single room to write and record as a group for the first time. The all-for-one concept is illustrated with cover art that redacts "Edward Sharpe and" with red lines. If alter ego Edward Sharpe is gone, the soulful quiver of bandleader Alex Ebert remains, as does the occasionally foot-stomping psychedelia of the now ten-piece ensemble (with the departure of co-singer Jade Castrinos). Here, however, the attack is more refined, with most songs showcasing musicianship and expression over ramshackle celebration. This quality shines on a track like "Hot Coals." A jazz-infused, meter-shifting lament, it mostly rides along on piano and drums but picks up and drops off instruments along the way, eventually concluding with a trippy jam that integrates brass, organ, and spooky effects. It's one of a diverse set of songs that also includes the scat-charged "Wake Up the Sun," which nearly ends in a "Give Peace a Chance"-like singalong until it morphs into a choral-instrumental jam. As is usual for the group, the album holds other echoes of the Beatles, such as the tender "Somewhere," a part-Harrison, part-McCartney songwriting etude. Meanwhile, "Uncomfortable" is an improvised-sounding spiritual, and "Perfect Time" evokes a Frank Sinatra Vegas showpiece, albeit with blunter lyrics. A warmer standout is "No Love Like Yours," which boasts the album's catchiest melody alongside a playful groove. On the whole, though, PersonA finds the group still offering music-festival-friendly fare, but of a nature that's more jammy than jamboree. ~ Marcy Donelson

Product Details

Release Date:	04/15/2016
Label:	Community Music / Universal / Universal Music
UPC:	0743724219890
Rank:	111035

Tracks

1. Hot Coals
2. Uncomfortable
3. Somewhere
4. No Love Like Yours
5. Wake Up the Sun
6. Free Stuff
7. Let It Down
8. Perfect Time
9. Lullaby
10. The Ballad of Yaya

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros   Primary Artist
Josh Collazo   Drums,Vocals
Justin Meldal-Johnsen   Bass
Stewart Cole   Organ,Vocals,Trumpet,Prophet 5,Pump Organ,Horn (Baritone)
Orpheo McCord   Drums,Vocals,Marimba,Timpani,Percussion
Christopher "Crash" Richard   Vocals,Percussion
Mark Noseworthy   Vocals,Baritone,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String Electric)
Seth Ford-Young   Vocals,Double Bass,Bass (Electric)
Mitchell Yoshida   Piano,Vocals,Korg M1,Percussion,Horn (Baritone)
Christian Letts   Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Alex Ebert   Piano,Chroma,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Nicolo Aglietti   Bass,Vocals,Korg M1,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)

Technical Credits

Matt Linesch   Engineer
Jay Wesley   Assistant Engineer
Josh Collazo   Group Member
Patrick Warren   String Arrangements
Scott Moore   Assistant Engineer
Tucker Martine   Mixing
Tao Ruspoli   Photography
Stewart Cole   Photography,Group Member
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros   Arranger,Composer
Adam Ayan   Mastering
Orpheo McCord   Group Member
Christopher "Crash" Richard   Group Member
Wes Fontenot   Engineer
Mark Noseworthy   Group Member
Seth Ford-Young   Group Member
Mitchell Yoshida   Group Member
Christian Letts   Paintings
Alex Ebert   Mixing,Composer,Producer,Photography,Group Member
Nicolo Aglietti   Mixing,Producer,Group Member