Unlike the photograph on the front cover of the CD book there’s nothing to suggest that musically and vocally Mumford & Sons are a bunch of dummies. Comparisons to The Proclaimers and particularly ‘The Pogues’ Steve Lilliwhite produced album “If I Should Fall From Grace With God” may be well founded with horn stabs and driving banjo tracks including the rollicking waltz “Winter Winds” that’s not dissimilar in style to ‘Fairytale Of New York’…Hell, they even give a nod to the tradition with the inspired framework of a paired down “Merrily Kissed The Quaker” intro to “Roll Away Your Stone”. As there are no credits on the CD or even their website I couldn’t tell you who plays what but whatever their choice of weapon this is a group that seriously kicks ass. The band prove time and again that they’re well capable of having a party and indeed the whole album is as infectious as a dose of e-coli only a lot more audience friendly. If you’re a Terry Wogan/Alan Titchmarsh kind of listener you’ll probably wonder what all the fuss is about whilst settling into your treasured moments with a nice hot chocolate playing your favourite Spinners recording whilst snuggled under your duvet but if your willing to take a chance you could do worse than check out this album. Featuring an abundant supply of anthem-ish tracks including “Little Lion Man” and the quirkily ballsy title track I can imagine that they must go down a storm at festivals. If this is the face of nu-folk then let’s embrace it. With major label input ‘folk’ music is once again gaining credibility and while there are bands like Mumford & Sons to wave the banner high let’s all get behind them.
PETE FYFE
Artist website: www.mumfordandsons.com
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