Mumford & Sons - The Cave


No-one really could have predicted Mumford & Sons mainstream success with their debut album 'Sigh No More'. A progression up the folk ranks and underground success yes, but to see the album in the midst of the top 10 in Tesco, rubbing shoulders with Robbie Williams' latest steaming pile of rubbish alongside the absolute mockery that is the Susan Boyle frenzy, was absolutely mindblowing and put a smile on my face every time I happened to see it.

'The Cave' is the third single from Mumford & Sons astounding album and comes quick on the heels of 'Little Lion Man' and 'Winter Winds', both great songs from the album that also did considerably well in the singles chart although, perhaps not half aswell as the album has. With that in mind, I am not sure what the point of this release is. If you are a fan, chances are, you'll have the album, you'll have played it to death by now and you'll be wanting a new album already. If you aren't a fan, 'The Cave' will do nothing to persuade you otherwise, you just don't like NME endorsed folk music and you won't like this, you just wouldn't and I wouldn't expect you too. Also, lets be honest, every man and his dog has heard Mumford & Sons, unless they have literally been living in a cave, so in terms of exposure, this release comes across as irritating and unnecessary more than anything.

Labels views on single releases aside, 'The Cave' is one of my favourite songs on the album. Upbeat and anthemic, Mumfords vocals ooze passion and emotion as intruments slowly build up into a rousing country-western sound with the loud bass drum driving the song as the fast played banjos adds depth. I can remember first hearing this song and thinking that not only will this song encapsulate alot of peoples feelings and drive them to want better, it is also completely fresh musically in a folk scene that has been copying itself for far too long and that is still completely how I feel about it months on.

Not heard Mumford & Sons?

Then firstly, where the bloody hell have you been?!?!

Secondly, listen to 'The Cave', it will show you what Mumford & Sons are about and its an amazing track.

4 / 5