What to hear... by Ailsa Pender
Mumford & Sons: Babel
After seeing them perform works from their debut EP, Sigh No More, at T in the Park in 2010, I became a real fan of Mumford & Sons. Babel was released on 24th September in the UK, and this second album from the indie folk band was eagerly anticipated by many.
I have to say though, I was a little disappointed by a few of the tracks on this album; the first single to be released, “I Will Wait” is catchy and an easy listen but I don’t think it really matches the standard of some singles from their debut album, like “Little Lion Man” or “The Cave”. Also, the overall feel of Babel is a little more, not so much depressing, but melancholy, with songs like “Holland Road” conveying heartbreak and lost love.
I did enjoy the more folksy songs towards the end of the album; they’ve even done a bluegrass Simon & Garfunkel cover. This tone is part of why I really like Mumford & Sons. Though, I’m not convinced that their signature twanging sound really works on their cover of “The Boxer”, but I’m willing to listen more and be persuaded (this track is on the ‘Deluxe’ version of the album, I went all out).
Babel is a good album, not the best, but good. A lot of the material has been in their set list for their almost non-stop tour since their rise to fame and so songs have been adapted according to live audience reception. I would still recommend a listen and even splashing out the £8.99 iTunes are charging for it.
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