Mumford & Sons debut studio album “Sigh No More” is an indie folk rock masterpiece. The album was first released in 2009 in the UK before reaching the US in 2010. “Sigh No More” has had rising success since its release, recently acquiring Album of the Year at the 2011 BRIT Awards. The multi-talented group includes Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall and Ted Dwane. These four brits know how to have a good time and it's evident in every song. The combination of guitar, bass, drums, keys, accordion, mandolin and banjo coupled with a four-way vocal contribution gives Mumford & Son a real meaty sound.
The 12 track album begins with “Sigh No More” a creeping collective vocal intro leading into an upbeat strings shred fest. “Love it will not betray you, dismay or enslave you/ It will set you free.” Marcus sets you straight with his bold lyrics, enlightening with both whispers and vein bursting grit. There are a few standouts on the album but not one ugly bettie.
“Little Lion Man” is one of four singles from the album. An ass kicking folky track that earned a nomination for “Best Rock Song” at the 2011 Grammys. The boys go all out for this track clearly beating themselves up both with the lyrics and the instruments. “But it was not your fault but mine/ And it was your heart on the line/ I really fucked it up this time.” It’s a darker track for the album with a personal struggle most of us can relate to. Make your mistake. Throw your pity party. Judge yourself. Admit you were wrong and it wasn’t the first time. “Little Lion Man” hits home hard.
Marcus Mumford has interesting inflections in his strong voice. Early in track two “The Cave” he sings, “The harvest left no food for you to eat/ You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see.” His treatment of the lyrics is subtle and catchy. The folk instrumentals lend themselves well to the slow builds culminating with strong breakdowns. Marcus leads into track five “Thistle and Weed” with, “Spare me your judgements and spare me your dreams/ Cause recently mine have been tearing my seams.” His voice is soft and paired with an even softer guitar. As the song plays his voice grows with the lyrics. The drums join, then the keys, and before you know it Marcus is repeatedly screaming, “I will hold on” only to be interrupted by the quartets instrumental climax.
“Sigh No More” is a fresh-folk-rock twist that surely made its mark thus far. To those who don’t follow the bluegrass or folk scene there is no need to panic. They have taken beautiful rhythm and vocals and made it completely their own. Mumford and Son did everything but fuck it up this time with “Sigh No More.”
