This review was written October 2009.
Mumford & Sons' debut album Sigh No More, gives you an experience of the adrenalin and passion of English folk music. Working with producer Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire, Bjork) the distinct influences of country, bluegrass and folk are used to retell and share the stories of these four men from Western London; that of love, heartache, despair and death.
The album starts off with the title track Sigh No More which could have easily been a failed attempt of an uplifting hymn. Instead, these musicians have restored courage and confidence into the composed melodies. It is a powerful introduction to the album, and has reached its purpose as the introductory song.
Thistle & Weed provides an insight to the darker passions through their use of ominous harmonies. Whilst the ballads White Blank Page, Winter Winds and Roll Away Your Stone lighten up the mood through sprightly guitar and banjo riffs which could even make an old, fragile elderly person want to get up and dance.
One of the highlights of this album is the much acclaimed single The Little Lion Man, which has been air-flogged on Australian and World-wide radio. However, it is towards the end of the album that we hear Dust Bowl Dance, a song that captures the darkest mood of minor composition. Along with an overly layered and textured instrumental section, this is definitely the most musically powerful and emotionally desperate moment of the album.
4 ½ stars out of 5
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