Mumford and Sons: The Art of Folklore and Crosses

Soul is something that you can’t produce in any artist. Authenticity mixed with talent is what draws people in and keeps them coming back for more. The need for real music in the industry is more evident than ever. Auto-tuned club music with no foreseeable plan or intention other than to make the droves of over-sexed twenty somethings and people with no compass on actual talent purchase more and more until the next one comes along seems to be the overall plan at this point. Thankfully, there are still musical purists out there that explore the soul and not the sound of the ATM.

Mumford and Sons started their journey into the folk rock genre back in 2007. The West London band consists of Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett,Winston Marshall and Ted Dwane. M&S has an introspective style with religious and literary undertones that can suck into a world of self -realization after just a few tracks. Song’s like Lover’s Eyes, Thistle and Weeds, and my favorite, Broken Crown, all provide vivid imagery, great composition and more importantly a strong message left to be interpreted by the end-user.

In the song Lover’s Eyes, the line “Do not ask the price I paid, I must live with my quiet rage. Tame the ghosts in my head that run wild and wish me dead” speaks volumes. As we walk around in this world, looking at what everyone is doing and wondering why we don’t have what they have, you have to ask the hard question that no one wants the answer to, What did it cost and how did you get it? The price we pay is dear for everything we have in this world.

The song Broken Crown, is one of Mumford & Sons most poignant titles. Most think the tone overtly religious and believe that Marcus Mumford’s  heavy background growing up in the church played into lyrics like “I took the road, and I fucked it all the way”. interpreted that he took his own path and still screwed it up. The song is brilliant, starting out with a haunting melody, then bringing it home with a strong orchestra like concerto.

Since 2010 Mumford & Sons has skyrocketed in popularity. Their sophomore album, Babel, was the UK’s fastest selling album of 2012 and the second best album in the US. They’re a true mega band that has not lost their roots or sound. Other bands like Kings of Leon have come under fire for changing their sound after they reached baller status. Fortunately, Mumford & Sons pure style and delivery is why they’re such a musical heavyweight in the industry.

They’re also just as good, if not better live.