Mumford & Sons

It's really late at night, like 4am late.  I'm tired.  I can feel my eyes aching.  But it's also one of those nights where my mind can't shut down, when I seem to be swimming in an endless pool of self reflection.  These nights aren't uncommon, but tonight, I've had a lot of thoughts surrounding a band called Mumford & Sons.

If you're unfamiliar they are a British band that plays a very american folk/bluegrass style of music.  This past summer especially their debut album, Sigh No More, has become extremely popular.  I think they just finished up a world tour that was, for the most part, sold out.

But that's not what keeps me up at night.

Samples:
Sigh No More
Awake My Soul

Just listen.  The emotional intensity, the lyrical resonance is undeniable.

"There is a design,
An alignment to cry,
At my heart you see,
The beauty of love 
as it was made to be"


"And now my heart stumbles
on things I don't know
This weakness I feel
I must finally show"


"Awake my soul"


"You were made to meet your Maker"


There is something intensely spiritual about these songs.  If you go deeper into their catalog, you'll find that it's not just these particular songs.  It's just how they write, how they play.  It's about our brokeness, our lifelong search for purpose, our failings, our broken hearts, our desire to be redeemed.  I mean, simply, it's about life.  For this purpose, this album, this band has served as a reality check these past couple of months, reminding me of the things that bind us all.  But more than that - it's just sincere.  The album sounds like a man honestly thinking about his life.  I mean his life, not his house, not his shoes, not his job.  I mean talking about his LIFE and feeling the weight of such an undertaking.  I think we should feel that weight more often.  There is a lot here after all.

Now I know you must be asking yourself - are these guys Christians?  I personally don't know.  I haven't sought the answer.  Especially in this case, I find it to be irrelevant.  It wouldn't change their words.  It wouldn't change the simple fact that they've enriched my relationship with God.  So in that sense, I'm not interested in 'discrediting' them or running them under a banner.  I would urge you to listen first.  Approach their work with an open mind, hear what they are saying, digest it.  Then if you feel like asking that question again, by all means, find an answer.

These songs have meaning.  I pray that you'll be as moved as I've been.

Now, hopefully, to bed -