Music Monday: Mumford & Sons
Bluegrass gone alternative, at least with the cool kids
I’m normally a rocker kind of guy when it comes to music. Throw in some keyboards here and there, some alternative synth sounds and I’m pretty happy. Jazz mixes are good, and I never turn away some good blues based rock n’ roll. But bluegrass has never grabbed me. It seemed too country to me, and I’ve never been much into country [with the exception of some classic Marty Robbins “El Paso”]. But that changed with Mumford & Sons.
Now of course it helps that the song “Little Lion Man” has the catchy line “I really fucked it up this time / Didn’t I, my dear?” You don’t hear that too often in bluegrass music. Pushing that envelope helped bring me around to listening to the rest of the album, which I rather enjoyed.
Songs like “The Cave”, “Roll Away Your Stone” and “Winter Winds” all have a nice flow to them. It’s that mix of banjo with the vocals of band leader Marcus Mumford [who has a similar vocal style to Michael Stipe from R.E.M.] that works for this diverse music lover.
Check out the Amazon link here. And the iTunes link here. You may just become a fan, too.
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I refer to Mumford & Sons as “Modest Mouse meets The Decemberists”. I very much enjoy this album, although the first time I heard them I hated the song I heard and wouldn’t give them another chance until someone reviewed them on Buy-Her.
OK, this is two. I read the review on Buy-Her, too. I have them on my wish list. If I hear about them again I’ll have to at least buy that song.
I love Poppy’s description of M&Sons. And you’re so right – Marcus Mumford’s style is very much like Michael Stipe.
And there is just something about that banjo.
(Thanks for your comment at Buy-Her. I’m trying to choose the next band to review.)
I love them! Little Lion Man and Awake My Soul are two of my favorites.
They’re awesome!
I like Bluegrass, though – it’s relaxing background music for me on Sunday mornings. 🙂
I have only heard that one song by them and I was surprised at how much I loved it since it isn’t my normal type of music. I think I will have to check out more of them since I know your taste in music is very similar to mine most of the time and you like them.
Hmm, interesting, yeah I’m not sure they’d really be my cup of tea but they do have an awesome band name.
Funny, my yoga instructor was just recommending them to me today. We’ll call that two positives in just a matter of hours. I’m listening to the samples in iTunes right now and really enjoying it. Damn you.
Just got to Little Lion Man and realized I’ve heard this song many times on the radio. Never knew who it was, though. I like this song a lot.
poppy – That’s a great explanation for their music. Fits it very well.
finn – Thanks for mentioning the buy-her mention of this band.
lisahgolden – You are most welcome. Glad you like this band, too.
amanda – Both great tracks from this album.
sybil – Agreed. Bluegrass is relaxing music.
tori – Funny how “not my type” music can easily grow on someone.
kevin – It’s at least worth a listen.
kapgar – Awesome. Another fan. Thought you might like them.