Well, it’s seems pointless to say it’s been an exciting year in music. Band after band have stepped up to the plate and delivered some truly brilliant and refreshing stuff. Adding to this tremendous list of stunning debuts is Mumford & Sons. Bursting onto the scene with invigorated folk-rock charm, Londoner Marcus Mumford and his band of three have shaken indie-kids off the stage with debut album Sigh No More.

Kicking things off with the album’s namesake, “Sigh No More” is an understated journey, building in sections with rich vocals and lush instrumentation. “The Cave” is a more upbeat number, galloping along with horns and Winston Marshall’s banjo in tow, creating an inspiring climax. There is something about the way Marcus Mumford delivers his image-driven lyrics; the subtle inflections and pure interpretation is so real and joyous. “Winter Winds” winds its way in a minstrel-like fashion, with “Roll Away Your Stone” following in its footsteps with more sparse instrumentation, clearing a path for Mumford’s commanding voice.

The acoustic noodling recedes slightly on “White Blank Page” and showcases the boys’ knack for harmonic heart-pulling, swelling in parts to bursting point, making it the album winner for this scribe; the combination of strings and banjo against layered percussion and thick chords is like honey in the veins. “Little Lion Man” has been given the ultimate in radio airplay and not without reason. Again, the combination of harmonic vocals and chords on top of building instrumentation sends ripples through the soul. What this song will inspire in a live setting one can only imagine. “Timshel” is an engaging tune, but its inclusion seems, only slightly, to be a bit mindless for the simple reason that the same use of instrumentation and thoughtfulness has not been applied to it as in previous tracks and suffers in comparison. “Thistle & Weeds” seems to secure the darkest tone, with lyrics like Look over your hills and be still/ The sky above us shoots to kill/ Rain down rain down on me, and “Dust Bowl Dance” moves away from sweet folk and into downright blues rock territory, letting Mumford wail on some skins. Album closer “After The Storm” rounds out the proceedings with a stripped down guitar underpinning meandering vocals and rising to a gentle climax.

It becomes quite clear early on that Sigh No More is only the tip of the iceberg for Mumford & Co. They just have an incredible ability to engage all parts of the pysche and senses. Feelings are stirred, visions are created, and an affinity with the band is inevitable. Markus Dravs (Bjork, Arcade Fire) has done a stunning job of nurturing the gentle blue-grass nuances of these very talented boys into an instantly likable long-player. Mumford & Sons have delivered a solid album and breathed even more fresh life into the ever-reviving folk-rock scene.

- Carley Hall