So I decided to eat at a Golden Corral.

It proves I’m an idiot. The food sucks and if you eat here your a fucking simpleton, that enjoys there steak hokey pucked.

Do not eat here. Even if you are about to die.

Fuck it sucked hard.

Music.  It has defined and redefined generations, not to mention it has been around since mankind has existed.  For many it is an escape, a place to turn for emotions, a way to express.  Personally, it has been one of the most important things in my life.  Anything from heavy metal to classical, Hip-Hop to Opera; music is on my iPod and I am always on the lookout for new artists. 

Enough with the intro, time for the goods

I’m sure everyone has heard the song “Little Lion Man” which was the single that Mumford and Sons originally created on their first “album” Love Your Ground.  The funny thing about that song is it debuted on the music scene in 2009, and the Album “Sigh No More” debuted in early 2010; My question is WHY IS IT JUST NOW GETTING POPULAR?

I mean sure, it’s not exactly a “modern” album cover and honestly, the name Mumford & Sons? 

They don’t exactly have the best start at releasing a first album (which is the critical album that people will always reflect on).

But what got me about this album is that they aren’t trying to fit in to today’s lifestyle of computer generated sounds or severely altered voices to make the singer sound somewhat decent.  This group of brilliant musicians have brought something to the table which seems to be lacking in the music industry lately- talent.

In roughly over a year and a half, this once no name band has sold over 1 million copies! Which I know you are saying ‘well that’s not that much’, STOP.  You should realize that pre-2010, nobody knew about them (in the US) and now, they are one of the most popular Folk/Indie Rock bands on today’s music scene.

With all of this in mind, try and be optimistic to give these guys a shot and buy/download/share this album and I guarantee that you will not regret it.

Now, to the track by track review!

TRACK 1 - The title track, “Sigh No More”

It starts off very quietly with a subtle guitar and the four men signing some pretty heartfelt lyrics.  Then you can tell a sudden shift in the song where you feel a build up to something epic that your ears might orgasm over.  This is one of the best songs on the album because about half way through to the end of the song it takes a hold of you (and if you’re like me, my heart) and makes you want to stay for the rest of the journey.

TRACK 2 - “The Cave”

I will start by saying this: This is probably the most popular song on the album, and for a damn good reason.  It starts off with a nice acoustic guitar and the singers distinct and great voice and much like the first track, it begins to build up like the tease the song is.  Then you listen to the lyrics and feel one with the song and start to feel excited again thinking to yourself ‘hey it’s like the first one where it’s going to be awesome!’ but then it stops and takes you back to the beginning of the song leaving you puzzled.  Just as you are midway through your thought it starts right back up and carries you through the last minute or so of the song.  When this song was over I just wanted more and more of it (so I listened to it another time).

Track 3 - “Winter Winds”

This is one of the more Folk-ey sounding songs on the album, but that is definitely not a bad thing.  Unlike the previous songs which started off slowly and quietly, this begins with multiple instruments which immediately caught my ears attention.  It is also one of the more heartfelt songs with lyrics that you understand and can associate with.  Also unlike the other songs, this does not speed up and slow down, it is one constant pace throughout which is a refreshing feeling that won’t leave you wondering when it will pick up the pace again.

Track 4 - “Roll Away Your Stone”

Honestly, I feel that the first 24 seconds of this song could have been cut out.  It’s one of those things that if you hear, you want to just skip to the next.  BUT DON’T!  Because there is 4 minutes of good sounding music past this.  Much like track 4, it has the Folk vibe and takes advantage of it with banjo’s, acoustic guitars, piano, drums, and 4 guys having fun jam away at their instrument.  A fun song that is worth the listen (with an open mind).

Track 5 - “White Blank Page”

Ah, back to the sound of the first 2 tracks.. right?  For a minute you hear the lyrics and guitar and begin to wonder when the rest of the song is going to show up and then out of no-where it shows up.  I’d say the lyrics are the best part of the song because, unfortunately, it keeps starting and stopping and starting and stopping making you wonder what they were thinking.

Track 6 - “I Gave You All”

What’s this? Another track with a familiar sound!  Good voice mixed with an acoustic guitar with a subtle hint of piano, bass, and drum.  The song slowly transitions from a peaceful, mellow song to a somewhat angry tone which really makes you feel what his emotions were while writing the song.  The climax of the song abruptly stops with a slow, drawn-out ending that puts the finishing touch of how he apparently gave his all.

Track 7 - “Little Lion Man”

Here we are.. finally.. to the track that made them famous to most of the world;  Little Lion Man.  The only song to survive the transition between two albums.  This is a very fast paced song which is another refreshing change from the usual slow to fast theme that they use throughout the album.  It’s one of those songs that you sing a-long to without realizing the lyrics and what they really mean.  Personally, I have to read the lyrics along with the song to notice ‘oh man he said that?’.  Mid way through the song (like most of their songs) comes a transition which really gets you attached and then thrown right back in to the chorus.  Then, you guessed it, the song ends without a hint or warning.

Track 8 - “Timshel”

This song has nothing more than a guitar and a few guys singing some heartfelt lines and honestly it needs nothing more.  A downfall to this song is the length because just when you want more, the song slowly comes to an end. 

Track 9 - “Thistle & Weeds”

Being one of the least popular songs on the album, Thistle & Weeds is also unfortunately the longest.  In other songs where you are wishing and hoping for another minute, this song (I feel) is where I wish it would end sooner.  The beautiful yet dark lyrics are covered up by the awkward guitar and often questionable pitch of words.  I believe they were going for more of a story telling point of view, but came across short of the goal.

Track 10 - “Awake My Soul”

Back to another great song on our musical quest! Awake My Soul is one of the more emotional songs which you can just close your eyes and listen to.  The pace is pretty mellow until it picks up towards the end.  The lyrics are not complicated and since there are not many, the song is easy to remember for those of us who think we can sing.  It finishes strong and leaves you feeling satisfied and ready for the next song.

Track 11 - “Dust Bowl Dance”

Still feeling good and ready for the next song? Well, you are going to need the extra motivation to get through this one.  Another song that is mostly Folk influenced, this is the second longest song which seems to repeat itself over and over.  It starts off shaky and questionable that immediately makes you second guess finishing the track.  It progressively transforms in to an angry song with harsh tones and over done instruments to make the point come across in case you didn’t understand the first time.  About a minute of noise passes before the anger ceases and left with 30 seconds of wondering when it will end.

Track 12 - “After The Storm”

Well, the final track of Sigh No More (and such a beautiful song to end it).  The lyrics are powerful and emotional which finally pulls the rest of you that hasn’t been sucked in to this album and makes you an official fan of Mumford & Sons.  This is the perfect song that will guarantee you in the next few days a listen to this album again, as well as putting quite a few on your new playlist.  The song fades away and conveniently leads in to the 1st track in case you wanted to listen again.

As one of the best albums of 2011 to come out in 2010, this album always brings a smile to my face and leaves me wanting more.  It will be interesting to see if they continue the same tone with their next album or if they change their sound to appeal to the masses. 

Final rating: 8.5/10.

Pro: Amazing quality with heartfelt lyrics and a tone that sounds like no other in the industry today

Con: A little more mixing to make the album flow better rather than putting an upbeat song then a slow song (very repetitive).

-John

To say I like doughnuts is an understatement, cause I love ‘em. For all the donut lovers, I give you Al’s Donuts. Located on Maryland Parkway and Tropicana across the street from UNLV.                                                                   

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