And I Will Hold on Hope: A Music Review
Posted on September 23, 2010 by Lisahgolden in Media
Hi, I’m Lisa and I blog at That’s Why. When Britt put out the call for contributors, I jumped at the chance to write about two of my favorite things – music and books. I can attribute my love of both books and music to my older sister. Not only did she teach me to read before I went to school, she also turned me on to a wide variety of music and only about half of it sucked. Kidding, Denise. Queen is still cool in my book.
I believe I just dated myself. So here’s the rest of what you might want to know about me before you take my word for it on important decisions like what kind of music to listen to or what books to read. I’m mid-forties, unemployed and currently working on my first novel, married forever and have three kids spanning the ages of 19 – 11. Girl, boy, girl. I’m smack in the middle of the Adult Album Rock music demographic and, as such, I do a lot of listening to XM Satellite Radio’s The Spectrum, Coffeehouse, The Loft and First Wave (80s channel – Can I get a shout out for The Smiths?). We live in the Middle of Nowhere, Georgia and our radio reception is limited to local AM. Not a hotbed of musical variety there among the Swap Shop and Angry Talk Radio. Hence, the satellite radio.
Since I spend a lot of time driving my kids around, I also listen to a variety of their music including Top 40 Pop, Hip Hop and Rap.
I listen to Death Metal, Argentinian Tangos, Classical and Bluegrass while I clean. The music choice depends on the amount of elbow grease it’s going to take to get something clean. For example – the kids’ bathroom = Death Metal.
I thought I’d kick off my first review with a relatively new band. I first heard Mumford and Sons last spring. Their first major label cd Sigh No More was released in February 2010. I remember the first time I heard them because the song was White Blank Page and the lyrics hit me right in the heart. Bam! I was a fan.
Their breakthrough song is Little Lion Man. I hear it now on XM’s Twenty on 20 channel which means it’s in rotation with Lady Gaga, and the Disney Channel Crossover Singer of the Week. Please note, however, that unlike Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place), Mumford and Sons occasionally uses un-Disneylike lyrics. Just so you know.
The music on this cd (must resist the urge to call it an album) features rich vocal harmonies, well-honed lyrics and an ass-kicking banjo. Seriously. The lyrics are of love and loss and friendship and pride. Who can’t relate to that? Here’s a list of the songs with my quick assessment:
1. Sigh No More (title track) – Old timey harmonies
2. The Cave – The banjo rocks this song! Banjo, banjo, banjo.
3. Winter Winds – Has a sweeping chorus that I love
4. Roll Away Your Stone – Lyrics are divine
5. White Blank Page – Bang! Immediate fan. Words hold special meaning for me.
6. I Gave You All – Quieter, great lyrics, poetic
7. Little Lion Man – Getting broad play, very memorable, sticks in my head in a good way
8. Timshel – A bit sexist with all that talk of brothers, but I can get over it.
9. Thistle &Weeds – The legal weed. Like what’s taken over my garden. Plus kind of sad, good for brooding.
10. Awake My Soul – Must sing along with this song. Sorry in advance.
11. Dust Bowl Dance – Great lyrics. Feels just right for our times.
12. After the Storm – Just like it says. Quiet, calm….
While I’ve been resting on my laurels since my prediction that Loverboy would make a comeback, I’ve decided it’s time to make another prediction. Mumford and Sons. You haven’t heard the last of them.
Momford & Sons’ Sigh No More is available on Amazon and iTunes.
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Posted on September 23, 2010 by Lisahgolden in Media
LOVE IT!! I just went and downloaded it! FABULOUS suggestion!
@PaintingChef, Thanks, I’m glad you like them. I hope we’ll hear more from them.
thanks for sharing that! i had heard about mumford & sons through a friend, but had not been interested enough to check them out. watched the clip you posted, they are great! think i might just check their cd out now.
@Liza, Excellent! I’m glad I chose them to post about first.
Never heard of these people, but I like that song! I’ve made a note; thanks for the suggestion. I can’t wait to see what else you come up with!
@Finn, Thanks! I’ve got a list of new music to review and I’m adding to it all the time. Suggestions are always welcome, too!
It’s great to find an expret who can explain things so well
MODEST MOUSE MEETS DECEMBERISTS!
I love banjo. I’ve had a few friends SWEAR this album was amazing but they didn’t articulate enough why and I guess I caught the wrong 10 seconds of a different song. THIS song, Little Lion Man, is amazing. Thank you for giving me another angle to these guys so I’ll actually buy their stuff!
@Poppy Cede, Poppy – that’s it! Perfect description. Yeah, Little Lion Man and White Blank Page (the song I bet you heard first) are very different. I’m glad you like them.
Wham bam thank you, ma’am, my quseintos are answered!
Awesome stuff. Thanks Lisa.
@MommyLisa, Thanks back to you!
Cool Lisa! I love the song. I was going to share this link on facebook but facebook is down. I’ll try later.
I’m eventually going to catch up on my music library following your suggestions. I was doing pretty well till the Eagles then got lost in parenthood and my corporate job. Re-emerging at 52 but have no idea what bands were/are cool from 1983 onward. Lots to discover!
@Susan Tiner, Oh, boy, have I got suggestions for you, Susan!
Sounded like Avett Bothers or even Dawes…. Great sound! It is on my I-pod wishlist…..
@elise, Yep, and I know you and I have very similar tastes in music. I’m glad you like them.
Excellent intro to your approach to music (we share a lot there) and great review!
Lisa, I like them, and will keep my eyes open for them.
I still prefer songs in languages I don’t understand but this is nice.
Loved it, Lisa – Modern Americana kicks my (easy) ass.
Please, Ma’am, cam I have another…?
Thanks to a couple of cross readers of mine that are here, too, I had no idea this post existed until now. I just posted a new post over on my blog about this band/album.
http://www.banalleakage.com/2010/10/04/music-monday-mumford-sons/
I’m now a fan of M&S, too.
I have mad crazy love for them. LOVE. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a band that I end up playing on headphones in my bed at night. I SWOON.