Mumford & Sons make old-timey instruments rock
The name “Mumford & Sons” sounds like it belongs to an accounting firm or mortuary. But there was no mistaking it for a quaint family business when the British quartet took the stage last summer at Lollapalooza in Grant Park.
The foursome of Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwayne, Ben Lovett and Country Winston played with such ferocity it looked like they were going to break their old-timey stringed instruments (banjo, upright bass, acoustic guitar) in half. All four band members harmonized with the full-throttle exuberance of a drunken sing-along at closing time. At the same time, the music had an undeniable lift, the stuff of church hymns revved up to triple speed.
That’s not coincidental. Mumford’s parents were national directors of an evangelical church in London. His lyrics don’t shy from matters of faith – the band’s debut album, “Sigh No More” (Glassnote), begins with a Shakespeare quote: “Serve God, love me and mend.” His earnestness is off-putting to some who want their music served with more subtlety, but there’s no denying Mumford and his bandmates sing like they mean every word.
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