Collegiettes, it is my humble opinion that the first week of classes should not have homework. But, unfortunately, they do. Personally, I do my homework while listening to music, and I would be lying if I said I have not been listening to this band on repeat for the past 72 hours as a result. I am actually listening to them right now and waiting for one of my neighbors to ask me to put on a new playlist.
Unlike my YouTube finds, Mumford & Sons isn’t as less well known. However, Mumford & Sons is worth the combo break.
Sigh No More (2010)
One day at the library I picked this CD up and did not listen past the first song for a while. Wandering around my parents’ house, I didn’t pay that much attention. Their sound blended into The Decemberists. Thankfully, I stopped, listened, and fell in love. Sigh No More isn’t the happiest of albums (“Little Lion Man” and “I Gave You All”), but it takes you through a journey, and it ends with hope (“Thistle and Weeds” and “After the Storm”).
Babel (2012)
If I loved Sigh No More, words cannot describe my addiction to Babel. I am not sure Mumford & Sons will ever be an outright happy band in the way Grouplove or a top-40 chart make you want to flail around your room. But if sitting, pondering, drinking tea and listening to Sigh No More isn’t as much your thing, then try Babel. If you listen out of order, or only choose one or two songs, try “I Will Wait.” It will be stuck in your head for a week. If a week is too long, try “Babel.” It will be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Or, try “Broken Crown.”
At times, the amount of banjo can be a bit overwhelming, if not off-putting if the instrument is uncommon in the music you listen to. But keep listening. I am sure that if you are not immediately pulled in, then you will gradually fall in love.
In the meantime, I will wait (im)patiently for their third album.