Marcus Mumford - (self-titled)
by Nick Dent-Robinson
published: 8 / 11 / 2022
Label:
Island Records
Format: CD
intro
Harrowing but poweful debut solo aLbum ifrom Marcus Mumford in which he reflects upon the sexual abuse he suffered as a child
‘(self-titled’) is Marcus Mumford's first solo album. He puts aside the banjos and mandolins of his regular band, swapping folk for rock and acoustic blues. At times the new album is a harrowing listen. Because the Mumford & Sons singer suffered sexual abuse as a six year-old child and he has only recently begun untangling decades of denial to finally deal with that childhood trauma. On ‘(self-titled’) Marcus has opted to sing about his grim experiences. The album may sometimes make uncomfortable listening, but it certainly shows courage - as well as great musical competence. Some of the lyric are fierce and direct. “I can still taste you and I hate it”, he sings on ‘Cannibal’ - and on ‘Grace’ he relates how hard it was to tell his mother about the abuse. More positively, on ‘Better Angels’ he acknowledges the loyal support of friends and on the final track, ‘How’, Marcus wonders if forgiving his abuser would help. Marcus Mumford is far from the first artist to sing about past trauma and the healing process - but his powerful, highly personal songs ring truer than many.
Track Listing:-
1 Cannibal2 Grace
3 Prior Warning
4 Better Off High
5 Only Child
6 Dangerous Game
7 Better Angels
8 Go In Light
9 Stonecatcher
10 How
11 Better Off High (on my phone)
12 Grace (on my phone)
Band Links:-
https://www.marcusmumford.com/https://twitter.com/marcusmumford
Label Links:-
http://www.islandrecords.co.uk/https://twitter.com/islandrecordsuk/
https://www.youtube.com/user/islandrecords/
https://www.facebook.com/IslandRecordsUK/
https://instagram.com/islandrecordsuk/
Play in YouTube:-
Have a Listen:-
soundcloud
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Banter - Heroes
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart