So what is it about Babel that differentiates itself from their roaring success of a debut, Sigh No More? Well the album in itself sounds BIGGER. It may sound strange, but the instruments sound louder; the emotion is heavier; the angst is fierier than before and there isn't one track on the album that sits quietly – happy to be overshadowed by the rest of the tracks on the record. The first song, Babel, is an introduction to the entire journey that you are about to embark on and it's quite like being smacked in the face with a banjo. The song has traditional folk roots, relating to folklore and flashing the themes of love and self identification. "I know my weakness, know my voice and I believe in grace and choice". The song has passion underlying throughout, evident from Marcus Mumford's vocals and you can tell he really is giving it his all.
Like most traditional folk music, a theme of love and loss runs throughout, particularly showcased by Ghosts That We Knew. I feel that this song is one that stands out most on the album, because unlike the four up tempo tracks that are laid out in front of you at the start, it allows you time to stop and think. The stripped-back texture of the song gives you a chance to really appreciate the masterpiece that this song is lyrically. The opening lines of the song "You saw my pain, washed out in the rain and the broken glass saw the blood run from my veins" cause the listener to be impacted by vision and emotion. The song goes on to relate to eternal love between two hearts; a love that cannot be destroyed by loss "And hold me still, bury my heart next to yours". It is quite possibly the saddest song I have yet to hear from Mumford & Sons, and it shows that the band are not scared to deviate from producing fist-pumping, crowd roaring tracks, to produce slower, more emotional tracks that are still just as good.
The next song however, Lover of the Light, is much more jubilant and picks up the pace! The thing is, there is not much difference in quality between Sigh No More and Babel. I'm sure we'd all agree (or all Mumford fans would agree...) that Sigh No More has to be one of the best quality debut albums that have ever been released from a band, and there was a pressure for Babel to reach, and perhaps exceed the benchmark. I really do like Babel, and think that they have taken a few more risks with the album and added a bit more gusto to the entire vibe of the album, but I personally feel it is on par with Sigh No More, for I couldn't possibly choose a favourite out of the two! Babel is brilliant because it tells a story; it leaves vivid pictures in your mind (just listen to Below My Feet!) and the emotion and angst that exude from their music seems to have stepped up a notch particularly showcased in songs such as Hopeless Wanderer and Broken Crown.
It goes without saying that Mumford & Sons have an incredible talent, not only for playing the vast array of instruments that they do but also for keeping true to traditional folk music and adding their own contemporary twists. Embracing traditional folk themes such as love, loss and triumph, their music is easy to identify with by everyone who hears it. They deserve every acclaim for their music as they have succeeded in taking tradition and bringing it to the 21st Century, something that many have tried and failed. Even if you are not a fan of this genre of music, you have to admire the band for being able to make folk music work in an industry of drum machines, auto-tune and lip-sync culture.
Babel by Mumford & Sons – Available now!
For Tom :D
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