Owl and Bear’s Best Albums of 2009
Owl and Bear writers’ favorite albums of 2009. (more…)
Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros – ‘Kisses Over Babylon’ (Video)
As if being one of 2009’s breakout bands—thanks to their incredible Merge release Up From Below—wasn’t enough, it appears that Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros also have some cinematic ambitions. They’ve just released “Kisses Over Babylon,” the second installment in a 12-part video series entitled SALVO! The videos depict a Mad Max-style post-apocalyptic wasteland where water is in short supply and Edward Sharpe is a wanted man. The clip costars character actor-extraordinaire David Strathairn, best known for his riveting performance as Edward R. Murrow in Good Night and Good Luck.
And, since no indie rock video these days is complete without some gratuitous nudity, you should be warned that the video is slightly NSFW. Finally, in case you missed it, we’ve also got the first part of the epic series, “Desert Song”, after the jump. (more…)
Get Three Avett Brothers Albums for Five Bucks Each
Okay, so this is the part where I talk about how much we at Owl&Bear love the Avett Brothers and you, unimpressed by the witty and/or articulate manner in which we’ve elected to express our ardor this time around, roll your eyes and think something like, “Oh come on, you guys always write about how much you love the Avett Brothers and not only is it getting old but, quite frankly, I’m starting to question your sexuality.” So, rather than beat you over the proverbial head with declarations about how great the Avetts are, we’ll just cut to the chase. This time.
Starting today, you can download three Avett Brothers albums—Emotionalism, Four Thieves Gone, and Mignonette—on Amazon for the trifling pittance of five dollars apiece. While Four Thieves Gone and Mignonette are no slouches, the crown jewel of the bunch is surely 2007’s Emotionalism, which shines as a terrific introduction to the band and their greatest achievement to date.
The albums are on sale until Friday as part of Amazon’s Black Friday Deals Week, as are works by artists like Andrew Bird, Bon Iver, Matt & Kim, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Radiohead, Califone, Built to Spill, Okkervil River, the Decemberists, Islands, and Neko Case. And if you already own all those albums, then congratulations: you’re almost as cool as us, but still only half as cool as the Avett Brothers.
Review: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros; November 3, 2009; Belly Up Tavern, San Diego
Alex Ebert sure does like to reinvent himself. First a rapper, then the flamboyant front man for the goofy post-glam Ima Robot, Ebert has reformed himself once again—this time as the messianic mastermind behind Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. In the persona of Edward Sharpe, he presides over a dedicated troupe of musicians/followers who create alternately sentimental and moody rock reminiscent of 60s hippie-folk and Ennio Morricone film scores. (more…)
Win Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros’ ‘Up From Below’ on Vinyl (Contest)
Last month we described Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros as sounding like Arcade Fire minus the glum pretentiousness. And while that was meant as a compliment to Sharpe and Co. at the time, things have changed since then.
In the past few weeks we’ve given the band’s debut album, Up From Below, dozens of listens, and it turns out that the Los Angeles collective is much more than a pleasant reminder of another band’s glory days. Fronted by Ima Robot’s Alex Ebert, the eleven-piece band mixes rustic 60s pop with infectious melodies and childlike innocence to create songs that stay in your head—and, dare we say, your heart—for days on end. And, since the only thing we at Owl&Bear like better than good music is good music on vinyl, we’re happy to report that the album has just been released in the wondrously waxy format, and we’re giving it to one of you for free.
For a chance to win the LP, simply comment on this post and include your email address in the form (your email won’t be visible to the public). The winner will be chosen at random on November 15, 2009.
Also, be sure to listen to their exuberant ballad “Home”, which is easily one of the year’s best songs. We recently featured it on Podcast vol. 126, and it’s also available for download here.
Finally, the band is touring the States right now, so be sure to catch them. Dates are below. (more…)
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros on Letterman (Video)
Remember that band Ima Robot, who had that catchy song “Dynomite” way back in 2003? Yeah, me neither. However, I won’t be forgetting former Ima singer Alex Ebert and his new band Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros. Talk about a 180: he’s gone from an indie/punk/dance band to a down-home folk collective that makes songs so endearing that they might just bring a tear to your eye. If Arcade Fire decided to move to a log cabin in Alabama, drink whiskey, and drop the pretentiousness, From Below would be the result. It’s knee-slappin’ fun for all ages. Check out their appearance on Letterman, performing my new favorite song “Home”.
