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Mumford and Sons

Date: Mar 28 2011

Themes: Music

Grammar: Passive Voice

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Intro

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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Most people would probably agree that a lot of popular music today is overproduced. So it’s surprising to see a band like Mumford and Sons topping the charts and winning big awards.

Mumford and Sons has an old-timey sound. The band is inspired by early American folk music, and its four members use traditional instruments like the banjo and the mandolin.

In today’s high-tech world, many people find it refreshing to see a band like this, that’s going back to the basics. Find out what Marni and Mason think about Mumford and Sons.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Mason

Marni: Mason, have you checked out that band Mumford and Sons at all?

Mason: I have not.

Marni: Yeah, they were nominated for a bunch of Grammys and whatnot. I think it’s kinda interesting ‘cause they’re like this indie, folkish band that’s trying to do old-time music. But they’re also from England, so then I’m a little skeptical. You know, ‘cause they’re not from the South. But then again, who am I to judge? I mean, I play in a band that’s kinda similar, and I don’t have any of those ties.

Mason: It’s what you feel in your soul, Marni. It’s not where you’re from.

Marni: So true, so true. But I have a question for you. Do you think it’s cool to play acoustic music that’s sorta traditional?

Mason: Absolutely!

Marni: Yeah?

Mason: You gotta get in touch with your roots, you know.

Marni: I mean, I don’t think people go into it to be cool. I mean, I certainly didn’t. But I think it’s just…Yeah, I think you’re right. I think it’s about what you feel.

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Discussion

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Marni is a fan of the new band Mumford and Sons. She likes their traditional, old-time sound. But she’s also a little skeptical about them, because they play music that is traditional to the southern part of the US, even though they are from England.

Mason thinks bands should play whatever kind of music they love. They shouldn’t feel like they can only play music that is traditional to their own country. He loves acoustic folk music like the kind Mumford and Sons plays.

Do you like traditional, acoustic music? Can you describe what the traditional music is like in your country?

Comments

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ola33

Japan

You know it’s really would be a bizzare thing if I take my accordion now, dust it off and start playing old-timey, traditional folk music that I had always liked. They really has got a soul in it. And it’s missing that screeching, sharp electronics, but just a calmed down mellow sort of ballad. Well, I think very few people now would really favor it, because the world is really escalating in its highteck going away from basics. So sad. I think if we don’t stop to take a breath and listen the real sound of music, we won’t be able to find ourselves in a mirror.

Ali Imran

Pakistan

Well this is quiet new to me as I almost always listen to alternative rock. But I think its a good band, maybe I'll put some of their songs in my travelling playlist..;)

natamooi

Colombia

I believe people from England have a folkish style in general. South and Scotish people too, I like a song called Float, and has that kind of style made by Floggin Molly ;)

serentipitty

Turkey

while reading comments javier arm ando's comment took my interest. ıI tried "Musica Criolla". ı liked this style. thanks for sharing this information

Joy900

Japan

very nice …thank you

Kattie4x

Russian Federation

I like folk music, classical also

javier armando

Peru

I really like the traditional music of my country,specially the style called "Musica Criolla" it´s completly played by guitars ,sounds so cool that you feel like dancing.

The subjects about this songs are speacially love or friendship,for a former love or any heart breaking,which makes some old people cry when they listen it.

It´s mostly our grandparent´s music when they were young.

aniv

India

I like FOlk music.And also like acoustic music

serentipitty

Turkey

I love traditional music day by day. Every part of my country has different kinds of tradional music with different instruments. ı like listening Aegean folk music.

abosalahaddine

Algeria

we have a special music from the desert

i like it too much

it has agreat impact on our feeling

we have a famous music starof this kind named ALLA

aminian

Australia

I have same feeling as Mason. Each time I listen to our traditional music, it takes me back to the old times. I believe that traditional music convey the history of our generations and that has very powerful and magical tone in its sound. I just love to listen

aiwaliu

China

I like traditional music …

sj1

Pakistan

sofree

China

Yes, definitely. I just found their video in Youtube, I like it, "Little Lion Man".

Chinese traditional music is very different from westerns, I love both.

rickymathew

India

nice pic of work …...............

trailo_hathanh

Viet Nam

Yes certainly, my country is very famous with traditional music instruments. Bottom line is mono-chord. This is completely acoustic. But it is hardly overproduce in my country. It can only live in the conversing of government project.

I am skeptical about what is happening in country.

Zeerak

Australia

I love traditional music, but it depends when and where about I am listening. The traditional music of my country is also acoustic type, which is usualy played by a drum and a guitar type instrument "Damboraa" but it has only two stings.