It should be noted, ironically enough, that most of my problems with vinyl playback stem from issues with my Mumford and Sons' albums, from having skips to misshapen disks. I guess it is fitting that such imperfections should arise in albums as earthy and real as Sigh No More and Babel. To invoke the hipster in me I like to imagine a 1930s farming couple huddled by an old radio set in their living room while listening to these tunes after a hard day's work, and so as inconvenient as the playback issues might be, it seems quite fitting, a humble reminder that nothing in this life is perfect, yet where joy can still be found daily.
1. The Presentation.
Sigh No More is really nothing special in ways of appearance. It is a humble album sleeve, holding a simple and plain record sleeve with the lyrics of the album while protecting a basic 120 gram black vinyl disk. That is it, no digital download, no picture page, nothing. Again, I find this natural for this album, and the lower cost of the album ( Second Prints are being sold for about $13 on average) make this a fair deal, but a shame that you must also get a disk or mp3 if you want to listen to the album on the go.
The disk is of the cheapest weight one can get vinyl in, and that is why there are so many with mistakes. That being said, on two different copies of these I had only a couple issues on one, while the other has thus far played without anything except a small skip on the second side. Overall disappointed in the presentation, but the album can be had for pretty cheaply so it kind of balances out.
2. The Tracks.
If you like to listen to your music with a contemplative mind and a watchful ear, then this is a fantastic album to meditate on. If you enjoy American folk music with an ever so slight British twist, then this album should certainly be on your shortlist. Sigh No More is an album to interpret either by oneself or with friends.
Though they hail from the United Kingdom, you wouldn't know it by their style, pure American Folk, mostly keeping things light and easy to listen to, all while coupled with such cosmopolitan lyrics that keep the music seemingly relevant for any occasion. Mumford commonly cites Shakespeare and the Bible in their lyrics, with a veiled sense of importance and thought. This makes them worth listening to more than just a few plays because different parts will seem to shine through brighter than others with each listen, almost always finding relevance to my personal life at the time.
"Winter Winds" was their first song that I really got into. It has a familiar warmth about it, and all the while warning of love without the hearts consent. "The Cave" is usually what people first heard from them, that or "Little Lion Man," both of which have a memorable guitar play with their famous lyrical depth.
The album flows well, each track giving another opportunity of reflection and enjoyment without overplaying a certain sound. The most distinct track in my opinion must be the driving and heavy "Dust Bowl Dance", while the previous song, "Awake My Soul" takes a very light and easy listening vibe. All in all, a fantastic selection of diverse, thoughtful and enjoyable tracks in a somewhat random, though not unenjoyed order.
3. Sound Quality.
This is where all but one of my Mumford & Sons albums get low marks, though I can honestly say I do not mind as much as I would another genre or artist. These tracks are robust enough to endure through the small pops and static of what almost feels like a worn out record, when really it is just shoddy quality. It gives the album a different feel, distinct to the vinyl medium where it is warm and yet distant, evoking feelings of a simpler, harsher past with all of the same emotions and lessons learned and felt now.
It is what most people with no vinyl experience think all turntables must sound like, and for many that is not a problem. The issue, however is when the poor vinyl quality that creates the nostalgic sounds also creates skips, and in some drastic cases even endless loops. This is where I have been plagued with my Mumford albums, with even purchasing a second Sigh No More after finding my first one had two endless loops, and both were in some of my favorite tracks. If this album had cost me what most other albums go for, it would be a complete ripoff.
If you want to enjoy this album as sonically pure as possible, this is certainly not the medium I would recommend, despite my love for the music. If you want a subtly different listening experience that might take you back to an older time, then this is a perfect album to drop your needle to.
Final Impressions.
Sigh No More is an album for the ages, a piece of art that I am positive will stand the test of time. The vinyl offering may well be a glimpse of how future generations might hear the album, with a yearning of simpler, and more robust times. That being said, I don't think the album offers any real value beyond the average $13 price. This is by no means an album any audiophile would like to listen to unless they were feeling nostalgic.
That all said, this is one of my favorite albums to throw onto my turntable, and one that I would buy again if I had any further issues with playback, but those are just my personal feelings about it.
