The British folk-rock group of Mumford and Sons rose to fame amongst a vast sea of auto-tuned nonsense to deliver genuine and authentic music with their first album “Sigh No More,” released in 2010. They then followed up the amazing success with their newest album “Babel,” which was released in September 2012. The British group hit it off once again with their follow-up album.

The band, formed in 2007, was on on a creative run when recording “Babel,” which has twelve tracks and three bonus tracks, totaling over an hour of music. There is a lot of variety in the collection that is already very unique, one that mixes bluegrass instruments such as the fiddle and the banjo, to give an alternative rock feel. The group is able to cleanly mix slow and fast beats throughout the album, and sometimes even in the same song, as in the songs “Holland Road” and “Whispers in the Dark.”

While having relatively similar sounds, the songs collectively tell many different stories. Some songs such as “I Will Wait,” “Broken Crown,” “Ghosts that We Knew,” “Not With Haste,” and “Reminder” talk about both the great things about love, and also the pain of searing loss. “Hopeless Wanderer” tells a powerful story about someone mired in deep depression looking for a way out. “Whispers in the Dark” talks about religious turmoil, and trying to find one’s path. Despite having many songs with similar sounds, the different messages carried in each song make the album from start to finish.

Each song has open lyrics that allow the listener to draw their own inspiration and opinions from it, causing the songs to have varying effects. Each song on the track is very passionate allowing the listener to connect with the powerful rhythm of the music and vicious instrumentals that create a roller coaster ride of emotions.

All in all, “Babel” is great for a wide variety of audiences seeking something to break the mold of today’s popular music. Its mix of folk music and alternative rock make it an authentic and appealing mix that is alluring to many. The album gives the feeling of unrefined music at its natural base and in its most unrestricted form. The bizarre mix of sounds and lyrics give it a very unique feel.

Mumford and Sons truly struck gold with their newest album, winning the Grammy Award for the Best Album of the Year. The band is currently working on their third album which even casual music fans will wait for with baited breath.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLGMyo8wfPc&list=ALHTd1VmZQRNqphtUf7gZEFu6zUS6wzWeN