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Mumford & Sons: Babel Review
Indie | Monday 1st October 2012 | Osh
The reviews of Babel had been penned long before the album was actually written. Upon release, the criticisms of a radio-friendly, one dimensional band writing catchy song after catchy song, reeling in the money from the warm comfort of the middle of the road, had inevitably come up.
Such observations seem extremely unfair, especially considering that the tweed-enshrined Londoners are one of the most original bands of the last decade. Between them, they can play more instruments than many current popular musicians have ever heard of, they manage to incorporate hints of country music without sounding utterly terrible, and have produced a spectacular follow up to Sigh No More.
Such an achievement was no easy task. Their Mercury Award nominated debut album gained widespread critical acclaim and went platinum in seven countries, and the musical elements that made it such a good LP are found in equal measure on Babel. The title track, and the opening number, demonstrates the bands continuing musical proficiency, with simple guitar riffs and toe tapping drums providing a base upon which Marcus’ raspy vocals wail biblical references. Second song, ‘Whispers In The Dark’, is an example of what the band does best, with quiet sections of Marcus and a guitar followed by loud barnstorming verses full of banjos and perfectly timed backing vocals.
‘I Will Wait’, the first single from Babel, has been around in demo form since 2010, but the current version has been supplied with layers and layers of indie folk goodness and is one of the highlights, and is bound to be popular at festivals next summer. The shouted vocals, perfectly complimented with string and brass instruments, can be seen in the official video filmed during a live performance at the stunning Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. ‘Ghosts That We Knew’ offers something altogether different, the quieter song with fewer instruments allows the listener to fully appreciate the lyrical competence of the band.
‘Lover Of The Light’ is another wonderful highlight, straight from the guidebook of how to dominate the indie folk genre. For those hoping for some variation from the band, ‘Reminder’ may offer the answer, if not a compromise. Although undeniably Mumford & Sons, the stripped back tune features little more than Marcus on guitar, and shows that the band can vary what they do without ditching the tweed and adopting leather. Babel concludes with three songs which are far more familiar, bringing to a close an album which may be similar to Sigh No More, but at the same time will appeal to a new audience and bring further success to the hard working four piece.
It is well worth getting the deluxe version of Babel, as it contains a hidden gem in the form of a beautiful cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘The Boxer’. Mumford & Sons will be touring Australia throughout October before starting on the lengthy ‘Tour of Two Halves’ jaunt around the UK in November.
By Gareth Davies
