Babel
by Mumford & Sons
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 32
  3. Negative: 3 out of 32
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Sep 19, 2012
    91
    The band has mastered the emotional gut-punch of quiet/loud dynamics, exploding from low-murmured harmonies into full Appalachian freak-outs.
  2. Billboard.com
    Sep 24, 2012
    85
    "Babel" reveals a band happy to remain entirely Mumford - although a larger, smoother Mumford, offering fresh nuances and textures while emboldened by the promise of the initial mission.
  3. Boston Globe
    Sep 25, 2012
    80
    The London quartet's hallmarks--plucky banjo, hard-driving acoustic guitar--are in place, but the songs are bigger and bolder, right down to Marcus Mumford's exuberant wails that now grind with more grit.
  5. Paste Magazine
    Sep 25, 2012
    80
    While the band will undoubtedly be criticized for playing it safe on the new record, there is no denying the music is solid despite its familiarity.
  6. American Songwriter
    Sep 20, 2012
    80
    It's not perfect, but it's perfectly Mumford & Sons.
  7. Clash Music
    Sep 19, 2012
    80
    It's very much a 'if it ain't broke' album and, for now, that's okay.
  8. Mojo
    Sep 19, 2012
    80
    More than just a decent nu-folk album, Babel is a great pop album. [Oct 2012, p.82]
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  9. Rolling Stone
    Sep 20, 2012
    70
    The power of the arrangements and Marcus Mumford's tortured-vicar vocals is undeniable. And if his conflation of love, lust and Christian spirituality sounds more like pre-dawn confusion than neat Bible lessons, it feels all the truer for it.
  10. The A.V. Club
    Sep 26, 2012
    67
    There are images of walls and towers in nearly every song, but they don't serve as a unifying theme--a missed opportunity for an album named after a famous tower.
  11. Magnet
    Oct 17, 2012
    65
    Babel is the more subtle and accomplished album. [No. 92, p.56]
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  12. Under The Radar
    Oct 4, 2012
    65
    It's certainly not a departure from the band's debut, but rather a continuation.

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Most Discussed Album of 2012
47
#47 Most Shared Album of 2012

User Reviews

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User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 189 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 130 out of 189
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 189
  3. Negative: 38 out of 189
  1. HarryGoLocky
    Sep 27, 2012
    9
    This is such a refreshing album! After hearing some of the complaints of this album it's like people didn't know what to expect from thisThis is such a refreshing album! After hearing some of the complaints of this album it's like people didn't know what to expect from this band! They are a folk-rock band, why are people surprised that they released an album that has drawn so much reference and style from other folk bands! It is a mixture of powerful and heavy set songs that make you want to just move, and some amazingly heartfelt ballads. It is not quite the perfect album that "Sigh No More" was but it I would happily listen to this over the mediocrity of modern music, the senseless and endless drones that you hear on the radio (Guetta, Skrillex, Rita Ora et al)

    Each song has a different meaning to the last and as a complete album the deluxe version is simply beautiful!    … Full Review »
  2. Hooky586
    Sep 25, 2012
    10
    Mumford & Sons are back and better than ever! This is an excellent sophomore album from this wonderful back band from England. It is betterMumford & Sons are back and better than ever! This is an excellent sophomore album from this wonderful back band from England. It is better than Sigh No More? Probably not better, but just as good. I am currently on my 5th listen and I absolutely love it.… Full Review »
  3. Havok
    Sep 25, 2012
    10
    They've taken what made them unique and good before, and polished it to such a fine sheen that you can hear your own soul in their music. ThisThey've taken what made them unique and good before, and polished it to such a fine sheen that you can hear your own soul in their music. This is the best thing that's happened to the modern music scene in quite a while. I wasn't a fan of their earlier music, even though I liked it somewhat, but I just can't get over this album. Lyrically profound, dynamically perfect and played with such energy and conviction you just can't help wanting to sing along.

    Best taken with long drives in the countryside, sitting at the seaside or looking out on nature.    … Full Review »
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