Pro: I like these two songs. I don't think they are the best work of the band, but as far as the drastic change in sound, it's hardly the worst thing in the world.
Con: If this is how they sounded from the start, I never would have noticed them in a million years. Because it's Mumford and Sons, I enjoy these two songs. But without the sound of Babel and Sigh No More, I would likely hear the songs but would never have cared to find out about the band.
_________________ Ecks Factor: Cancelled too soon
Fri Apr 10, 2015 2:53 pm
Algren
now we know
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:31 pm Posts: 67043
Re: Mumford & Sons: yay or nay?
I prefer their old sound. Now they just sound like all the boring pop-rock bands out there; the ones that I have no interest in whatsoever.
_________________
STOP UIGHUR GENOCIDE IN XINJIANG FIGHT FOR TAIWAN INDEPENDENCE FREE TIBET LIBERATE HONG KONG BOYCOTT MADE IN CHINA
Having now listened to all of Wilder Mind, I can say it's not a lackluster effort at all, but I definitely miss the old sounds. At least half of the tracks are standouts, particularly on the second half. And I'm not one who's against an artist changing their sound. One of their biggest influences is surely Bruce Springsteen, who's made a career out of rarely doing more than two albums in a row that sound similar, but he has conquered any genre of music that he's tackled.
On the reverse of that, Sigh No More is a solid effort, but the heart and soul of that sound is fully realized with Babel. Perhaps Wilder Mind is just a valiant effort that will lead to a stellar 4th album.
With one full listen so far, I can say that, like Taylor Swift, they have abandoned the sound that got them here. And, like Taylor Swift, it is a very good album with some great tracks. Unlike Taylor Swift, they aren't going to have a lot of goodwill from diehard fans who aren't open to a new sound. They're leaving behind fans of the folk-tinged first two CDs but it's not strong enough to attract non-fans. And now they compete with the likes of Coldplay and Kings of Leon for the genre, whereas before, they pretty much stood atop their field.
Anyway, long story short, I do like it a lot. May end up loving it. But I miss the old Sons.
So I've been listening to many of the tracks quite a bit since buying it last week. Aside from The Wolf (which suffers from being forgettable and an awful choice for a single) and Snake Eyes (probably my least favorite of the three albums), there's way too much that's really, really good to disregard the whole thing as an unwelcome diversion into electric guitars and the like. Some of the songs are vintage Mumford and Sons, especially Tompkins Square Park, Cold Arms, Broad-Shouldered Beasts.
I may have turned my opinion around a bit, from a passive OK to hesitant enthusiasm. Their sound is there. It's just buried underneath some new toys.
_________________ Ecks Factor: Cancelled too soon
Tue May 19, 2015 3:46 pm
Alex Y.
Top Poster
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2004 4:47 pm Posts: 5705
Re: Mumford & Sons: yay or nay?
gave it a couple listens but it's not grabbing me, need them to return to banjos
I'm not the whole way through it, but they sure didn't see any criticisms of Wilder Mind and go back to their "roots". If anything, they've moved further away. I don't hate the album. But it makes me appreciate Wilder Mind more.
Something I said in this thread still rings true: if I heard Wilder Mind or Delta first, I never would have started listening to Mumford & Sons.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 85 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum