These days, everyone knows Mumford & Sons. Their first album, Sigh No More, was exceptionally popular and garnered six Grammy Award nominations, after all.
The British band has been open about their bluegrass influences, stating that Old Crow Medicine Show had a huge impact on their sound. It’s kind of a strange twist that perhaps the most famous American bluegrass band comes from across the pond.
But the distinct sound of the band, with the roots influences of the banjo and acoustic guitar, have been dropped from their newest album, Wilder Mind. The departure from their first two albums has been described by the band as being a natural evolution, with members just picking up different instruments while toying around with the songs.
But the change hasn’t been completely welcome by fans and critics. Although some reviewers have said that the new sound was refreshing and the like, other critics have called the latest album “unremarkable.”
Myself, I’m still grappling with the change and haven’t decided if I like it or not. What drew me to Mumford & Sons originally was the unique sound they lent the airwaves. The band is, without a doubt, still writing good music lyrically, but I can’t say the same for the actual sound. The music comes across as just another pop band, with which the airwaves are full. I can’t honestly say that if I heard this or their others songs on the album in the grocery store I would think, “Who is this?”
I’m genuinely curious to hear your thoughts on the band’s change. Let me know.
Mumford and Sons ditched the banjo and acoustic guitars for a more pop sound, but is it a good thing? (Photo credit: Chad Batka/The New York Times)