Mumford & Sons, the folk-rock band from the U.K., released their second album “Babel” on Sept. 24. After huge success with their first album, “Sigh No More,” fans have much to look forward to with “Babel.”
The album has many of the same elements that made the band famous but it still maintains a different sound. “Babel” has 12 tracks, not including the three bonus tracks, one of which features two famous artists.
“The Boxer,” a cover of the Simon & Garfunkel song, includes Paul Simon, from the group Simon & Garfunkel, and Jerry Douglas, guitarist and songwriter. The song seeps with vintage talent as Paul Simon sings one of his most famous songs with Mumford & Sons.
Each song on the album carries a different emotion and deeper meaning. Lyrics in the songs “Not With Haste” and “I Will Wait” bring to mind faith-inspired expressions. In “Not With Haste,” the entire song can be interpreted as a vision of God’s loving acceptance and being in his presence for eternity.
In “I Will Wait,” the words paint a picture of a repentant spirit and the forgiveness of Christ in the verse, “Now I’ll be bold, as well as strong, use my head alongside my heart. So take my flesh and fix my eyes. A tethered mind free from the lies,” as well as, “Raise my hands. Paint my spirit gold and bow my head. Keep my heart slow.”
These are just a couple of the many tracks through the album that conjure imagery of the characteristics of Christ and a relationship with Him. This falls into place well with the back-to-the-roots feeling Mumford & Sons creates with their music.
“Lord, forget all of my sins. Or let me die where I lie ‘neath the curse of my lover’s eyes,” this is the most obvious and blatant of the spiritual messages featured on the album, the lyrics come from the song “Lovers’ Eyes.”
The poetic lyrics in “Babel” are accompanied by steel-strung Martin guitar and banjo playing that set the band apart when they first stepped into the spotlight.
The unique instrumentals, grouped with the member’s raspy vocals and powerful harmonies shed a new light on rock ‘n’ roll.
The one and only disappointment to be found on the entire album is the excessive use of profanity in one of the songs, a recurring theme for both Mumford & Sons albums.
There is a track on “Babel” for everyone. Whether students want a slow and mellow tempo or an upbeat, Christ-inspired song, the new Mumford & Sons album is worth a listen.
