Sometimes quirky just ain't enough to get by. Especially when that quirkiness sounds prefabricated by a Central European-based timber construction company*. Alas, the previous statement applies all too much to "40 Day Dream" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, who fail in emulating a sect of indie-folk long past. Here's the story; in old London town, a fellow named Edward Larrikin made an album with some of his chums; Larrikin Love's Freedom Spark was released in 2006 - part of the "Thamesbeat" genre, an offshoot of indie/bluegrass/reggae/irish folk/rock. The band didn't last long, and neither did the genre. But that one album is a fantastical, roving adventure in sound, delving into pseudo-politics, dream states and kaleidoscope visions. Put simply, it's brilliant.
Admittedly, Edward Sharpe and his band of Laurel Canyon rogues, sound more alike to Official Secrets Act or Wave Machines, but that balance of synergeticism so charicterised by Larrikin Love sneaks into the aforementioned artist's sound so much that I can't ignore how much this song reminds me of Well, Love Does Furnish A Life or Happy As Annie. Back to the matter at hand - "40 Day Dream" basically, doesen't cut the mustard. It's not sweet, it's not fun or post-modern or illusionary. It's normal, with some good post-production effects on top. It is a McDonald's song - the sort of thing given to you with your Happy Meal. If you grew up listening to this sort of pulp-music, you'd have a brain much like Morgan Spurlock's liver in Super Size Me.
*I saw that in an episode of Grand Designs once.
Genius reccomends: I'm From Barcelona, The Youngbloods, The Doors, The Grateful Dead, Plants and Animals.
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