Mumford & Sons - ‘Babel’ + Bobby Burns
Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounces Scotch whisky, 1 1/2 ounces sweet vermouth, 1 1/4 teaspoon Benedictine, lemon peel twist for garnish.
Mixing Instructions: Shake the Scotch whisky, sweet vermouth and benedictine with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon peel twist and serve.
Notes: Fans of Mumford & Sons debut album, Sigh No More, will find a lot to be happy about with their latest release, Babel. The band takes the same elements that tickled the ears of millions over the past two years and magnifies them - higher highs, lower lows (both emotionally and musically), drums that sound like a small marching band stomping together in unison on an old wooden stage, blustery banjo licks and of course the powerful, nostalgic voice of Marcus Mumford.
Mumford allows himself a slightly broader emotional palette this time around with many songs riffing on themes of melancholy, regret and anger. Yet, sprouting forth through each effort is a green shoot of hope and triumph, like a preacher shifting his gaze to Heaven at the end of a tough sermon - a subtle current that likely draws many to the band. That and the fact that the music is quite simply beautiful to listen to. One can only hope they will view the success that will inevitably come from this release as currency to spend on some bold artistic exploration and risk-taking…they’ve earned it and they might just be surprised how many fans would be there to welcome it.