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Quick background: Mumford & Sons is an English folk rock quartet featuring Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall and Ted Dawne. They formed in 2007 and played intimate venues in what is referred to as the "West London Folk Scene," building anticipation to their 2009 album Sigh No More (also available on Spotify, iTunes and at www.mumfordandsons.com.) Sigh No More exploded over Europe and the UK, and was a smash in the US, peaking at number two on the Billboard charts.
Listening to Sigh No More and Babel back to back is an inspirational experience. First off, the band is technically magnificent. By that I mean that their musicianship is stellar. The harmonies on vocals send shivers up your spine and release magic music endorphins in your brain.The instrumental work and technique is astounding, but not distracting. I've listened to so many albums where the vocals clearly outshine the instrumentation, and vice versa. With Mumford and Sons the music comes from a place of such honesty and unity that each element complements the whole, which is just completely lovely. While each album is a stunning example of the incredible musical talent and genius (yeah, I said it) that the members of this group posses, the albums are able to stand as individual bodies of work, which is just a strong of a testament to the work these guys produce.
Sigh No More features "Little Lion Man," "The Cave," "White Blank Page," and (my personal favorite) "After the Storm." The whole album is picturesque in it's creation, and each song creates vivid images that stick with you. When listening to "Awake My Soul," you can see every image suggested in this vivid color (think the painted flower scenes in What Dreams May Come). It's also a brilliant narrative when listened from beginning to end. The repeated lick "Love, it will not betray you, dismay or enslave you, it will set you free," from the title track sets the theme of the album, and each track takes a different look at emotions, relationships (romantic and otherwise) and life as we grow and change. Culminating in "After the Storm" there's a powerful release that comes with the end of the album: "There will come a time, you'll see, with no more tears. And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears, with grace in your heart and flowers in your hair."
Babel doesn't disappoint when it comes to narrative. This album is a perfect choice of a second work because there is no attempt made at re-creating the first work, which is important for more than one reason. We all know those bands that have a smash hit first album and either coast on that success or put so much effort into re-creating what gave them such a hit that they lose sight of the genuine nature of their music. Praise the Lord, Mumford and Sons did not fall into either of these pitfalls. They have created a work that compliments Sigh No More in that it is easy to see how this second album evolved from the first. As the band has grown in experience (although they were far from inexperienced to begin with) they have delved deeper into their craft and really challenged themselves on these pieces to produce a work that tells a story; their story.
Babel opens with the title track which sets the biblical and spiritual tone of the album. Unlike some artists who want to incorporate their faith into their work, Mumford and Sons do a great job of creating music that celebrates faith rather than preaches or tries to glorify it. These songs show the relation of faith in life. In "Babel" there is a great lyric that goes like this: "And I know perhaps my heart is vast, but I'll be born without a mask." While this can be taken as a devotion to be true to yourself, it is also a statement of being true to faith, which really sets the tone for the rest of the album. The first single on the album, "I Will Wait" (recently performed on Saturday Night Live) is just a full out jam session, and is filled with so much joy that the first time you hear it (or watch it, cause watching these guys perform is just magical) you can't help but smile and, if you're me, jump around your apartment while your fish stares at you like you're crazy. Listening to it again (over and over and over: I've had this album on repeat since it's release) I am just constantly in awe of the use of music to celebrate life. This song, as well as the album, is so full of joy and honesty, and so much beauty.
It seems my favorite things on this album are constantly changing, but as of now my favorite tracks (besides those mentioned) are "Holland Road," "Whispers in the Dark," "Broken Crown," and "Below My Feet." The rest of the album is gorgeous too, and I know that if you were to ask me tomorrow I would probably provide you with a different answer. But go listen and form your own opinions! Music is meant to be shared and this album should be shared throughout all the world, because it truly is a work of not just "good music," but well-honed musicianship and instrumentation, and a sense of pride that this music speaks for itself, the band, and the honesty and truth that music (and art in general) should have. I apologize if this post seems like a gush session, but that's really what this album deserves!
In my theatre history course we've recently learned about Eastern theatre cultures, particularly Sanskrit drama. In this culture there was a huge focus on presenting life in the most beautiful way possible. That doesn't mean they focused on only the beautiful aspects of life; they simply focused on making every aspect of life beautiful. And that is what Mumford and Sons have done with Babel. They've taken life's greatest joys, highest highs, deepest pains, and lowest lows, transcribed them to music, and made each moment beautiful. HAPPY LISTENING, WORLD!
And STAY TUNED: Next week, I discuss my feelings on the film Lawless.
