Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Summary: If you're a fan of the original, classic Mumford and sons sound, or even a fan of the new-agey Wilder Mind sound, don't buy this album; buy the Guiding Light single. If you just want to support the guys as they burn every diehard fan they ever created, or you really love easy listening / smooth jazz or if you just need a nap, definitely pick up the new album. Let's be fair, I am reviewing this album as a Mumford and Sons fan, not a music critic. Musically, the album is probably fine. But I am not a massive consumer of music in general, it is extremely rare that I can put an album on and listen to the whole thing straight through as I regularly do with Sigh No More and Babel. I considered myself a true Mumford and Sons fan. I fell for the guys hard, hearing their singles on the radio in Ireland before they even hit the airwaves here in the states. I've seen them in concert three times, even once post-Wilder-Mind. I stuck with the guys even after all my friends jumped ship during their "Coldplay" (Wilder Mind) phase. I was desperately hoping that Delta would at least harken back in some form to their roots. But such was not the case. They have taken the middle finger to their fans that was Wilder Mind and ramped it up to 11. People are saying that Mumford and Sons are just experimenting because they need to "find their sound". They had a sound! It was distinctive, original, honest, and authentic. It was folk music done by true rockers. I could play literally any song from their first two albums and immediately feel the need to stand up, dance, stomp my feet, pound my fist, and scream the potent lyrics along with the boys. But they have chosen to abandon that sound for one that mimics any generic dental office waiting room music soundtrack. The songs have no hook, and create no desire to sing along. If you heard Guiding Light before Delta's release, it is not exemplary of the albums content. It is by far the most energetic song on the album and you'd believe that it was created circa Babel. The title song Delta, and Rose of Sharon attempt a small level of energy and could have been B-sides circa Wilder Mind. But if you're waiting for the rest of the slow songs to turn and suddenly ramp up into foot stompers, it doesn't ever happen. There are woefully few of the quintessential soul-filled group vocal moments in the album. It might as well be Marcus's debut solo album. And if you listen to the album straight through, you wouldn't guess that Marcus is celebrating the birth of a child. You'd think he was lamenting the loss of the longtime family dog. I was left with the sincere desire to track Marcus down and give him a large cup of coffee, or maybe a hug, something. This is not the same group that was so beloved by so many for creating fun, energetic and rousing music. Bring back the kick drum, stand up bass, brass ensemble, and yes the banjo! I'm still a hardcore MaS fan, but that's not who created this album. I'll just have to pretend that the group actually broke up so that I don't keep hoping that they'll put out another of their classic folk-rock style albums. And if this is the music they're making going forward, they might as well break up because all of their worthwhile creations have already been made. If their goal was to fall into the nondescript Europop abyss, mission accomplished.