Mumford and Sons Archives - Various Small Flames https://varioussmallflames.co.uk/tag/mumford-and-sons/ New and independent music Tue, 25 Aug 2020 14:03:56 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://i0.wp.com/varioussmallflames.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cropped-finalwhite-e1490809629909-1.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Mumford and Sons Archives - Various Small Flames https://varioussmallflames.co.uk/tag/mumford-and-sons/ 32 32 88787050 The Lumineers https://varioussmallflames.co.uk/2012/05/09/the-lumineers/ Wed, 09 May 2012 11:48:00 +0000 http://www.wakethedeaf.co.uk/?p=617 There has been an explosion of folk bands recently. The mainstream success achieved by The Head & The Heart and Mumford & Sons has (for better or for worse) put the rootsy genre into the ears of the masses and (in the way of such things) others have tried to cash in. This leads to a dichotomy of the very good and the very bad which, as a fan of folk/Americana, I am always sorting bands in to. Anyway, The […]

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]]> There has been an explosion of folk bands recently. The mainstream success achieved by The Head & The Heart and Mumford & Sons has (for better or for worse) put the rootsy genre into the ears of the masses and (in the way of such things) others have tried to cash in. This leads to a dichotomy of the very good and the very bad which, as a fan of folk/Americana, I am always sorting bands in to.

Anyway, The Lumineers are another band treading this line, touring on the success of their self-titled album (they played on Conan on Monday night) and some rather high praise. Happily, their songs possess that sense of sincerity required to fully place themselves into the very good category and you get the feeling that the songs are a product of hard-work and trials. Their sound is mostly upbeat and joyous but there are also one or two songs that hint at a more contemplative side that are very effective in amongst the rest. There is something in there that represents how moments of happiness are ever present despite the overall arc of a story or lifetime. A reminder that life should be celebrated whenever possible.

The album is available to buy here, check it out. They are touring far and wide in the next few months, from sold-out Colorado shows to UK shows with The Civil Wars. Check out all the dates here.

 

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]]> 617 Dancing Years https://varioussmallflames.co.uk/2012/04/10/dancing-years/ Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:35:00 +0000 http://www.wakethedeaf.co.uk/?p=634 I’ve given these a listen before but never really followed it through with repeated attention. It’s only now I’m hearing them again as a friend who is in the band promoted their new Facebook page. Formerly Joseph & David, the outfit have decided that a change of name is required to match their evolution as a band. I’m not entirely sure how to classify the sound – it definitely borrows a lot from folk but I wouldn’t go as far […]

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]]> I’ve given these a listen before but never really followed it through with repeated attention. It’s only now I’m hearing them again as a friend who is in the band promoted their new Facebook page. Formerly Joseph & David, the outfit have decided that a change of name is required to match their evolution as a band. I’m not entirely sure how to classify the sound – it definitely borrows a lot from folk but I wouldn’t go as far as to say that they are an outright folk band. Whatever it is, it’s an impressively accomplished sound for a relatively small band. I’m eager to stay clear of making direct comparisons because I can imagine as a band it must be disheartening to see your work labelled as a clone of some bigger, already established artist. I think fans of the ‘popular folk-rock’ scene (stupid term – you know what I mean) that has seen the rise of Mumford & Sons and Noah & the Whale will be impressed. ‘Falling Wood’ (which can be heard below) builds slowly with  gentle vocals and piano to numerous sing-a-long crescendos reminiscent of Typhoon. Similarly ‘Borderline’ meanders along before whipping up to a delightfully cathartic ending. the title track ‘Rise Up The Sun’ is a fantastic closing song that brings to mind Beirut.

I think the change of name (and the impending end of university life) indicates that Dancing Years will be stepping up a gear in the near future and I am looking forward to hear what they do next. There are a number of releases available on their Bandcamp page to keep you occupied in the meantime.

– Jon –

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