Mumford & Sons: Absolutely Brilliant!

Mumford & Sons @ the 9:30 Club, Washington, DC

May 20

A year ago, in my friend Jo’s flat in Leeds, UK, Jo played a couple of songs from her IPod of this new band I “had to hear.” The last time I saw Jo this excited about a band was in 1995 when she played me the new debut Oasis album in her dorm room. I trust Jo’s music taste implicitly so I listened to this new London band, Mumford & Sons.

Kept them in mind. Recently heard a couple songs I really liked on XM’s “The Spectrum.” But seeing them at the 9:30 Club last night, I got a whole new appreciation for these blokes. Mumford & Sons is undeniably lovable.

There’s banjo; it rocks, there are gorgeous vocal harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. It’s rich; it's deep. The Celtic influence is ever present. At times, it’s got the energy of Gogol Bordello, without the gypsy-punk, and…without the Ukrainians.

The sold-out 9:30 Club gave the band such an enthusiastic reception, the blokes seemed in awe, repeatedly thanking the crowd who, in turn, were equally in awe of them. While the band said they heard great things about this club, the fans’ fervor exceeded their expectations. “And we’re so far from London!” exclaimed a band member [could not see who, as I was standing behind a few goliaths].

Much of the crowd sang along to “The Cave” and “Blank White Page,” the two Mumford songs getting airplay on satellite radio. And, for those unfamiliar, the chorus of “Little Lion Man” is so catchy, the whole crowd picked it up after one round and then sang every refrain loudly and proudly.

Mumford ended their set with “Dust Bowl Dance,” a ballad that transitions into an all-out rock jam. The profound chorus goes:

“Seal my heart and break my pride
I've nowhere to stand, now nowhere to hide
Align my heart, my body, my mind
To face what I've done and do my time”

The album is Sigh No More. It's filled with songs you can listen to again and again, songs of which you may never tire.