Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons, an English folk band (betcha never heard of English folk before, huh) comprised of Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett (hate it) and other tinklers. Their music is a pastiche of frenzied banjo, dobro, bass, drums and vocals, all aspiring to some vague purpose. The singer has an uptight, angry, condescending voice from which he spurts his judgmental, self righteous pap -- check out Little Lion Man and the unfortunately titled Sigh No More. They stumbled into the spotlight in 2007 thanks to England's neufolk scene. (the Brits have nothing better to do these days.) As time goes on and more and more people say, What the Folk, the interest will wane and hopefully Mumford will keep mum.

Interesting sidenote: When Mumford & Bums -- er, Sons -- were rehearsing, an irritated Mark E. Smith heard them. Annoyed, he marched over to them and told them to shut the fuck up.

I was watching Later With Jools Holland the other night and 2 of the acts appearing were Mumford & Sons and Hole (I think the rest were Anjelique Kidjo, Crowded House and Ian Hunter).
Jools had a chat with Ms Love and she said the next song had a lot of "Fucks!" in it and that they would substitute it with the word "Suck!"

But before they played, the very wholesome Mumford & Sons played a touching ballad with about 50 "Fucks" in it. So Hole were outfucked by Mumford & Sons of all people.

For the record, the next week's show had a much better line-up.
The National, LCD Soundsystem, Kelis, Tracey Thorn.

They seem mostly harmless to me, but I'll admit I've not heard anything much by them, except that one video that's been played on MTV or VH1 or whatever the hell every morning this week when I woke up at 6 a.m.

That one about "and I will hold on hope and I will la la lope or some other word that rhymes with hope." Nothing I wanted to rush out and buy, but nothing that made me want to fly into a rage and throttle the drunken hooker lying next to me, either.

they remind me of the early ninties alt stuff like Spin Doctors and Blues Travelers. Music for girls in Birkenstocks, hippy skirts and Guatemaulan pullovers.

They're basically the British equivalent of the Avett Brothers. Take that as you will.

I don't think they're the bees' knees, but I don't mind 'em. The big hit's damn catchy.

The Avett Brothers are absolutely wonderful, in my opinion. I would be interested to hear the British equivalent.

I'm basing that on hearing the record a few times (my sister and niece are fans). I haven't seen them (the Mumfords) play, though they've been through Austin a couple of times this year (and sold out both gigs, one of which was at a pretty big place).

I have seen the Avetts, and they're a lot of fun live, so I'm assuming the Mumfords have a similar sensibility onstage. But I could be wrong. Temper your expectations accordingly.

"Little Lion Man" does incite a small rage ball in my gut. Kind of like a more intense, British Rusted Root.

I loved the theme song to that show. I believe it was composed by Quincy Jones, but am not certain. I especially liked when he called his son a big dummy.

I really find that Mumford single to be annoying, and, before hearing the most recent Avett Bros single, would have found that comparison to be completely offbase. But that Avett song kinda sucks too, so maybe you're on to something.

If–like me–you've yet to hear the album in question, it's streaming here:

[www.spinner.com]

In case you're interested.

And I'm certainly not an authority on the subject, but I believe Ewan MacColl (father of Kirsty), Fairport Convention and Kate Rusby are all purveyors of what can best be described as British Folk music ("It's all folk music. Music for folks"–Dan Zanes on behalf of the Miller Brewing Co.).

Edited in an attempt to get the link thing (<mumford, etc.>) to work. Didn't work.



Post Edited (12-22-10 15:58)

The singer sounds quite a bit like Glen Hansard (The Frames, The Swell Season, star of stage and screen).

I get the Avett Bros. comparison. This crew comes off as less sincere, though.

I suspect most of us don't fall in their target demographic.