Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (Deluxe Edition)

With their self-titled third album, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros soldier on with an earnest hippie-commune style as leader Alex Ebert seemingly wills away bad vibes by singing with a positivity that rarely flags. It sounds as if a world music carnival has hit town—and while The Magnetic Zeros don’t break out into a drum circle, they do create a festive atmosphere. That’s true even during the more desperate-sounding moments, such as the pleading yet laid-back soul of “Please!” Handclaps are as integral to the band's sound as the punchy brass section, and “Better Days,” “Let’s Get High," and “If I Were Free” are certainly inspired by the optimistic tones of the early psychedelic era (particularly The Beatles). Jade Castrinos' lead vocal on “Remember to Remember” is a welcome change of pace, offering sweetness to a fine piece of soul-pop seemingly from the mid- to late '60s on an album bearing a 2013 copyright. The deluxe edition adds three bonus tracks.