Music I love at the moment...

I think the title probably says it all...

1) Mumford and Sons
Definately my favourite band of the moment, they're folk rock, with a hint of bluegrass thrown in. I have no idea how I first came across them, but they ended up on my list of "bands to check out", and I just fell in love with them. I caught them at Dot to Dot festival this year, and they were without a shadow of a doubt the highlight of the day for me (apparently I just grinned solidly for the half hour set). Guitar, banjo, double bass and keyboards, combined with four part vocal harmonies and lashings of energy and passion in their performance. Their songs are distinctive and varied, from the melodic ballad of "White Blank Page" to the beautiful opening refrain of "Roll Away Your Stone" that builds into a fast paced folk tune. As I have no internet access outside work, I can't nicely embed videos, so you'll have to settle for watching this. Not much more to say other than I frikkin love them.

2) Newton Faulkner
Now this is a bit of a random one. I like Newton Faulkner, but in all honesty, I don't really listen to his music much. However, I had tickets to go and see him a few weeks ago (postponed from January, when I'd bought them during a quiet gig patch), and I was so glad I did. He was just... phenomenal. Firstly he played for over two hours - I think that's even longer than the Foo Fighters played for when I went to see them. There was an interval and everything. Secondly, the man is sickeningly talented - I didn't know it was possible to make a guitar produce sounds like that... The seamless combination of guitar playing, tapping, playing pedals with his feet and singing meant that your forgot it was just a single person on stage because the sound produced was so rich. Thirdly, the music was interspersed with amusing annecdotes, random "oooh I wonder if I can do this" type musical moments, and a healthy sprinkling of crowd participation. It's definately the first time I've been encouraged to act as a rabid pirate, approaching shore, where there are barbarians who just kissed my mother...

3) Dispatch
An introduction from one of my friends, they're a bizarre hybrid of reggae, ska, folk, funk, rock and probably some other things. They are also awesome. Their songs are catchy, largely upbeat and diverse, whilst also containing lyrics that delve into wider issues than most modern day artists. Sadly they've now gone their seperate ways, but each member has gone on to form a new project, demonstrating the level of talent that the band possessed. From the simple acoustic "Carry You" to the funky and toe tapping "Bats in the Belfry", they execute it all brilliantly and adding a little sunshine to your day in the process.

4) Slow Club
One guitar, two vocalists (one male, one female) and an assortment of additional random instruments = folk music that will make you smile and is the perfect soundtrack to your summer. They somehow manage to stand out from the crowd of generic boy/girl duos and succeed in staying the right side of the twee line. They made it onto this list purely on the back of the fact that they managed to make a Christmas song ("Christmas TV") that I genuinely really like (a feat only equalled by Frightened Rabbit and Sufjan Stevens at the time of writing) - a harmonius and uncomplicated tune that showcases their vocals beautifully. The rest of their music is equally as lovely, especially "Summer Shakedown" and "Let's fall back in Love".

5) Bon Iver
I had an odd experience with this album (For Emma, Forever Ago). My mp3 player broke last year, and in the following months (until my insurance company finally replaced it), the only way I could listen to portable music was using my phone. Turns out it takes a paaainfully long time to get any music copied onto my phone, therefore meaning I only ended up having half a dozen albums on there, one of which was Bon Iver. I confess that the first 3 or 4 times I listened to the album (usually my limit - if I don't like it by then, I tend to give up) I wasn't that taken with it. And then it clicked. I remember the moment - I was walking along the edge of the Downs on a sunny winter day, phone tucked in the pocket of my scarf (yes, I have a scarf with pockets, and yes, I know that's awesome), and I was suddenly filled with joy for this honest, small, captivating album. The pure rawness of the music adds to the beauty and intimacy of it. The opening "Flume" and "Skinny Love" are the two standout songs for me - with the latter as a definite to make it onto my best of cd this year.