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Thursday, February 25, 2010

mumford & sons

The discussion from yesterday's post about tithing has got me deep in thought - so deep that I can't actually make any words come out (even though I have approximately 83 things I'd like to write about). Instead, and for now, I'll promote some music. Music and I are long time lovers; and I'm a bit of a snob about my taste in it. On occasion, I can hear the first chord of a song and know whether or not I will like it. When it comes to the music of this particular band, I decided I should buy the album in that short amount of time (one 4 count bar...no lies). I've been listening to these guys nearly non-stop for a over month now, and realized this morning that I had yet to advertise my love for them (you may have noticed that I do this from time to time).

Ladies & Gentlemen, meet Mumford & Sons.




Every now and then, a song comes along that seems to tell me what's in my soul - in this case, it's the mere sound of these 4 guys playing that moves me to understanding. Every single song I play of theirs changes something in me, or keeps it the same, or stirs it up or makes it move. So much of their music has explained the current inner complexities of my heart to my head; oddly enough, I feel like I might not have known myself as well otherwise. Basically, there have been so many moments this year that have left me without an explanation - I have found that in those moments, Mumford & Sons seems to say it for me (or, to me).


Music like this doesn't just happen to our world every day. Truly - sound this pure and gut wrenching and calming and soul-filled is rare. Their lyrics are beautiful and thought provoking, their melodies are heart piercing, and their delivery is epic. I loved what the biography on their website had to say about them:


"Since they formed in December 2007, the members of Mumford & Sons have shared a common purpose: to make music that matters, without taking themselves too seriously. Four young men from West London in their early twenties, they have fire in their bellies, romance in their hearts, and rapture in their masterful, melancholy voices. They are staunch friends - Marcus Mumford, Country Winston, Ben Lovett, and Ted Dwane - who bring their music to us with the passion and pride of an old-fashioned, much-cherished, family business. They create a gutsy, old-time sound that marries the magic of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young with the might of Kings Of Leon, and their incredible energy draws us in quickly to their circle of songs, to the warmth of their stories, and to their magical community of misty-eyed men."



Their latest album, Sigh No More, was released in the UK on Oct 5, 2009, but we've had to wait until recent weeks to download it ourselves! But finally, it is here! I bought it yesterday and agree with what I've been hearing so far - this album is the accompaniment to a journey, and should be listened to from front to back (if not always, at least initially).

To pick out one song to show you is impossible; two is just as difficult. However, I've picked the two below simply because they are two of the first ones I heard and subsequently fell in love with. Although, while each song of theirs feels like a favorite each time I listen, these two have typically been my "go to" songs - even before I had the album. Thanks Youtube!

ps - the second song, Little Lion Man, has an expletive in the chorus (the F word, to be precise). Don't listen to the song if this will offend you, because quite frankly, I won't care. Wink. Kiss. Love.


...listening to this song - "The Cave" - again (watching the vid before I posted it here) has gotten me completely giddy.
I've fallen in love all over.





okay, I admit, I might have a favorite... This song has changed my life. It's impossible to explain.

4 comments:

Rob Peacock said...

my favourite line:
"if only i had an enemy bigger than my apathy, i could have won" from i gave you all

Colin and Evelyn said...

Colin and I just listened to Little Lion Man on our patio in a thunderstorm, it will forever be a pleasant memory associated with this song. These guys are great. When I close my eyes I hear irish singers performing at a barn dance hoedown.

afterthoughtcomposer said...

Rob - ah I know I love that line! Their lyrics are stellar

C&E - Ha! Best ever!!! All I did was imagine myself there and I got goosebumps!!! amazing.

Sharelle said...

hey buddy

just heard on the peak we can go see these guys for $15 bucks a ticket - May 30th.

I can buy them today at Zulu if you want. I'll text you.