The Murmur

It’s not everyday that you find an unsigned band that get esteem from former Led Zeppelin front-man Robert Plant. After hearing them in one of his local pub-haunts, the rock-god not only raved about Murmur, but chose to have them support him for the launch of his new album. Playing together through various members and arrangements over the last 8 years, The Murmur have developed a cohesive sound that clearly draws from many influences in an almost playful and joyous tribute to their heroes.

Listening to the Murmur’s latest album Vietnam Morning, it’s not hard to see what attracted Plant to the band. All 11 tracks feature inscrutably twangy guitar and heavenly melodies paired with clear, digestible vocals that tell simple stories. Many of the tracks contain a rolling country feel to them and some contain pleasant harmonicas, all while still maintaining plenty of rock energy.

The second track, “Reasoning and Rhyme” sounds like Neil Young reincarnated and heading a British Indie band. Others songs, like “One Summer with Monica” feel as though they were pulled right out of Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited era. Many of the songs, such as the title track, draw on American culture for inspiration, and American icons from Paris Hilton to Babe Ruth pop up all over the album. This Yank influence appears equally in the actual music as well, with heavy influence from traditional folk-rock being a predominant quality of the songs.

Even amidst all the nostalgia, the Murmur never come across as stuck in the past, but tackle the inherited folklore of rock and roll with gusto and creative energy that can provide a refreshing break from the current music scene, which they clearly stand apart from. The Murmur also stand apart from others they likely to lumped in with, such as Wilco, Tom Petty, and Evan Dando. Their songs have such a reverent and conscious note about them, one might consider them a type of Ziggy Stardust of the folk-rock genre. In addition to Vietnam Morning, the Murmur have put out The Monterey Jazz Incarnation - Sundown On The Highway a six song EP of stripped down acoustic songs, which is being sold to benefit the WaterAid charity.
Go to www.themurmur.co.uk to check out the band and hear the music.