Babel is the most recent album from indie folk/folk rock band Mumford & Sons. But with rustic indie in general, and here in particular, great emotion is mostly conveyed by strumming very fast or fiddling very hard; it's the musical equivalent of shouting at foreigners and simpletons. Otherwise, the record is a bit drawn out. out 9.25. 4.0 | The Arts Desk 'Babel' is so catastrophically mistitled it could almost be a joke: rarely has an album felt so musically monolinguistic Read Review Ben Lovett’s piano adds a chordal foundation following respective verses. The vocal production is clear. “Lovers’ Eyes” is well-paced and well-conceived. MP3 | CD | Vinyl. While the resurgence of folk music isn’t new itself, Mumford & Sons have reestablished the culture and introduced it to a new audience. Not be ‘memorable’ compared to the elite, it’s solid and enjoyable. “Whispers in the Dark” does fall short of the glory of title track, failing to be as emotionally dynamic. Ultimate, it’s a fine album, though Mumford & Sons could stand to take more risks. Facebook Page - Coverkiller Nation Yes, the metal Coverkiller has opted to touch indie folk's new hero. How much diversity can you get with an alternative rock folk band? The mightiest folk crew on the planet finally unleash their second offering. Babel has an "arena-folk" type feel to it with a few very catchy tunes. Which came first, the fashion for urban 20-year-olds to wear brogues and waistcoats or the success of rustic British pop? Throughout the verses, there is constant rhythmic motion. The production, namely bowed strings, rhythm, and so on remains a selling point. Mumford & Sons: 'Babel' - Album review. Mumford And Sons have split the masses with their blend of pop folk loved by kiddies and musos alike. By Adam Silverstein. Mumford and Sons - Babel review: I'd like to tell you a story. It's hard to tell, since a general brownness has been ubiquitous for the past half-decade in a period when British fashion and music have been cross-pollinating to the gain of both. Marcus delivers emotional, sincere A touch of brass within the production provides the cherry on top. It's hard to tell, since a general brownness has been ubiquitous for the past half-decade in a period when British fashion and music have been cross-pollinating to the gain of both. 1. Mumford’s vocals are humbling, particularly as he references religion and forgiveness. Mumford & Sons are great, as is the music on Babel. Somewhat, as this album by no means the second coming. Timely addition of piano by Ben Lovett provides chordal support. Enjoyable enough, it benefits most from the chorus: “But love the one you hold / And I’ll be your goal / To have and to hold / A lover of the light.”. By the time 2012 turned around, Mumford & Sons had sold over five million copies of Sigh No More, their Brit Award-winning debut.Alongside fellow British export Adele, they’d successfully conquered international airwaves, making songs like “Little Lion Man” and “The Cave” nearly ubiquitous. It was released September 25th in the United States. Babel, an Album by Mumford & Sons. In America, roots music is a huge force that rivals the pop economy; the US clasped this wholesome foursome in a particularly enthusiastic bear-hug, out of which popped two Grammy nominations. Mumford & Sons remain on autopilot on “Holland Road.” The harmonic progression is familiar, a pro and con for the entirety of this effort. Mumford & Sons Babel (Glassnote) Buy it from Insound Three years ago, Mumford & Sons was thrust into the spotlight when their debut album, Sigh No More, began to sell millions of copies.If the concept of a multi-million selling album wasn’t odd enough, interest was furthered even more-so by the band’s revivalist Americana sound. If you found the band’s debut to be charming and fun, then Babel is absolutely worth your time and money. Does the ‘good’ of Babel outweigh the ‘bad?’ Yes, Babel a very good album overall. It has been three painstakingly long years since folk-quartet Mumford & Sons released their hugely successful debut album, Sigh No More, which earned them two Grammy nominations, sold 5m copies and went double-platinum.. Mumford’s vocals are restrained on the first verse. “I Will Wait” easily accepts the award for valedictory cut of Babel. “Below My Feet” benefits from a well-penned chorus, yet delivers nothing brand new. I was pretty excited to hear that Mumford and Sons was releasing another album. The invested fan, may find the album ‘formulaic’ as opposed to innovative. Certainly, few would have predicted back in 2006 that Mumford banjo player Winston Marshall's raggle-taggle folk night – Bosun's Locker – would give rise to a clutch of well-regarded artists like Johnny Flynn, Laura Marling and Noah and the Whale. Also, the vocals get a bit covered up when things grow incredibly dynamic and intense. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Album Reviews: Mumford & Sons - Babel. The question everyone… It made you happy and full of energy. Featured peformers: Mumford & Sons (writer, arranger, performer, string arrangements, horn arrangements), Ted Dwane (performer), Lovett (performer), Marcus Mumford (performer), Winston (performer), Markus Dravs (producer), Robin Baynton (engineer), Ruadhri … Their sound was different, they stood out. As a result, the follow-up album bears a heavy yoke of expectation, one lightened with the sure bet of M&S's constancy. VVR712815; CD). You would happily knit your own ale with them. At this point in their career, Mumford and Sons went for a crowd-pleaser rather than an innovation: a second album, still packed with good songs but ultimately indistinguishable from the first. Snow falling and crackling fires with first album Sigh No More playing in the distance. The songs range from darker biblical inspired themes to catchy and fun stomp-your-feet-to-the-beat tunes. It’s awful. Released 24 September 2012 on Island (catalog no. That’s no huge knock on the energetic “Hopeless Wanderer,” but a playful punch. M&S (and it is an unfortunate abbreviation) are not a band who might suddenly recant their acoustic ways and seek out some dubstep fettling. Posted on December 15, 2012 by Jeff. At this point, Mumford & Sons have delivered some of their best material at the front of Babel. VVR712815; CD). “Babel” bucks the trend. Still, all in all, Babel gets it done. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'iavDy-HAT0dHXXizHNxtJg',sig:'1nQTQd5vvKQp93p9K2vE3SN7ym9CFP3Sa_CAI8kFDXI=',w:'395px',h:'594px',items:'109042411,109065437,161050243,114947953,114947959',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); “Lover of the Light” takes a subtler approach before Mumford ‘lets it rip.’  With a gift for melody, he always allows the tune to be clearly discernible. Babel takes you on an emotional journey of lost love, found love, and finding who you are. The vocal harmonization is thoughtful throughout the verses. (Island) Kitty Empire. hich came first, the fashion for urban 20-year-olds to wear brogues and waistcoats or the success of rustic British pop? Babel is the second studio album by British rock band Mumford & Sons.As with Sigh No More, the album was produced by Markus Dravs.The vinyl LP version of the record was pressed by United Record Pressing in Nashville, Tennessee.It was released on 21 September 2012 in Ireland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Norway, Australia and New Zealand. The release of Babel, their second studio effort, rides on the coattails of Sigh No More. There’s little unpredictability, hurting this song’s cause. Mumford & Sons – Babel Review October 8, 2012 Nadine CD Reviews. Mumford and Sons' first album made them the unlikely leaders of the new folk revival, unleashing a cacophony of banjo and washboards on the pop charts to the tune of double-platinum sales. Never bad and sometimes exceptional, Babel does enough to give the band a huge commercial hit without necessarily moving them forward. Could Babel land multiple Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year? Predictably, the cut ends quietly as Marcus sings, “But the ghosts that we knew will flicker from you/and we’ll live a long life,” accompanied by acoustic guitar. It was energetic and in some way, heartwarming. Mumford & Sons, Delta review: ... with the acoustic instruments that dominated Sigh No More and Babel here drenched in digital effects by producer Paul Epworth (Adele, Coldplay). If your a fan of Mumford and Sons … That might help explain why Mumford & Sons have become one of the beleaguered music industry's good news stories. “Cuz I feel numb beneath your tongue / Your strength just makes me feel less strong / Do not ask the price I pay for I must live with my quiet rage / Tame the ghosts in my head that run wild and wish me dead…”. Mumford & Sons are kind of a big deal these days and ‘Babel’, their long-awaited second album, means serious business. Mumford & Sons – Babel – Review. Here's a f***ing weather report. Excellent dynamic pacing and the fruition of a gargantuan sound that evokes the best of folk sensibility makes “I Will Wait” a Grammy contender. Quite a bit, surprisingly. All in all, it’s beautiful, passionate, and exceptional. Things grow a bit predictable, which could be easily eradicated with some minor changes. Mumford is soulful here, accompanied by subtle keyboard pad and acoustic guitar. Babel is the follow up album to Mumford & Sons’ debut album, Sigh No More. It’s been two years since Mumford and Sons release of their debut album Sigh No More and now they’re back with a clear direction, a higher quality in song writing, and solid second outing. Rated #1439 in the best albums of 2012. Mumford and Sons put together twelve tracks (fifteen if you’re including the bonus tracks) that are all fantastic by themselves, but more beautiful once put together. By Elizabeth Nelson. There’s no denying that second album ‘Babel’ is a rip-roaring record packed with earworm hooks, raucous banjo, a gravelly Marcus and an obligatory swear word. @kittyempire666 Sat 22 Sep 2012 19.05 EDT First published on … It ends with an airy pad that segues into “Whispers in the Dark.”. While the quartet may be perfectly competent musicians, though, their fundamental conservatism plays against them on Babel , making for an album that’s entirely too familiar and safe. "Babel" is their sophomore album. Babel, an Album by Mumford & Sons. Find album reviews, stream songs, credits and award information for Babel - Mumford & Sons on AllMusic - 2012 - English folk revivalists Mumford & Sons' 2009… “Ghost That We Knew” opens with lovely acoustic guitar, highlighting the underlying harmonic scheme. Just in time for winter 2012, they're back with Babel - another melancholic feast for the ears.. We might have been waiting a while for album number two, but if you're a fan of their original alternative-folk style, it's certainly worth the wait. Babel, the sophomore album from Mumford & Sons, earns the distinction of being among the most anticipated efforts of 2012. Folk is a malleable resource, and here it is stripped of all politics or witness-bearing, becoming an exercise in romantic exegesis for nice men with mandolins. Mumford & Sons have rarely been off tour, a laudable dedication to the troubadour's craft which has extended to hosting their own festivals, Gentlemen of the Road. “Not with Haste” is okay – average at best. Mumford & Sons captivated the UK for the entire winter of 2010. Easily, though it’s NOT the best album of 2012. Babel. Check out our track-by-track breakdown of Mumford & Sons' sophomore album. Released 24 September 2012 on Island (catalog no. This push and pull helps to shape “Babel” into a compelling, well-rounded cut. Mumford & Sons is one of those bands that delivers what they promise. I have tried 3 different CD's of Babel, from different vendors. “Broken Crown” is the best and most distinct of the closing quartet of Babel. If you despised Sigh No More , then you will find nothing here that even attempts to change your mind. Babel – track and album – aims to rouse. SNM producer Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire, Coldplay) reprises his previous role of making the Mumfords sound like a cross between the stomp and clamour of Arcade Fire and Coldplay's brow-furrowed yearning. Reviews Mumford & Sons Babel Mr Agreeable , November 20th, 2012 05:28. Mumford sticks to the strengths that made them an international success with Sigh No More. Marcus is supplied with better vocal production compared to “Whispers in the Dark.” The songwriting here is superbly penned. That might help explain why Mumford & Sons have become one of the beleaguered music industry's good news stories. It's a sound practice that goes against the grain of most artist management nowadays, which tends to guard new intellectual property closely. Unfortunately, GlassNote Music somehow screwed the pooch when they created a batch of this CD. Rarely does a title track earn highest accolades on any album. Is it overhyped? This preempts a contrast from roots-driven, gritty vocals by Marcus Mumford, in favor of a smoother melody. Layered vocals provide a nice sheen. 17/09/2012 Given heft by Biblical references and lifts from novels, Marcus Mumford's internal weather is intriguing, given his past relationship with Marling and, now, marriage to actor Carey Mulligan, and this second album is less over-weeningly jolly than the first, with incursions of electric guitar and drums. In short, no one else sounds quite like Mumford & Sons Mumford & Sons: Babel – review 2 / 5 stars 2 out of 5 stars. 24 Reasons Not To Buy The New Album From Mumford And Sons: 1. 'Rustic': Winston Marshall, Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett and Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons. Still, this is second-tier as opposed to first. Genres: Indie Folk, Folk Pop. “Ghost That We Knew” isn’t the crème de la crème, but offers more sound songwriting, particularly the chorus: “So give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light/ Cause oh that gave me such a fright…”. Horns are added, tightening up the overall sound. Mumford & Sons are a fine modern folk band who have found ways to breathe new life into an ancient form of music. Babel steps up Mumford & Sons’ game without changing it too much. Genres: Indie Folk, Folk Pop. Babel debuted at number 1 on both the U.K. and U.S. charts, and is the biggest selling release for any U.S. album of 2012 thus far.