Music Review: Mumford & Sons

By Sarah Nisbet
Ever wonder if you’re a hipster? Well for a quick self check ask yourself the question, “Do I like Mumford & Sons?” If your answer is yes, you just might be the embodiment of the increasingly vague definition of a hipster. However, the phrase is not mutually exclusive and not all who like the indie rock gods Mumford & Sons have to be a hipster, so don’t freak out. Whether hipster or not, many people can find at least one song by Mumford & Sons that they enjoy, which is why the band has gained a massive following since their debut.

From their emergence onto the musical stage in 2007, Mumford & Sons quickly became a crowd favorite through their first album Sigh No More. Two years later, the popular band recently released their second album Babel on September 24, 2012. Led by the gritty voice of frontman Marcus Mumford, the band continually perform at iconic venues to sold out crowds. Their new album was mainly recorded during short breaks of their extensive tour. Babel continues the signature Mumford & Sons sound with a slightly more rock and roll feeling. Numerous instruments such as guitar, drums, keyboard, banjo, and mandolins are utilized throughout the album to maintain the band’s grassroots background. The lead single “I Will Wait” heightened the excitement and suspense to the release of the album; although, several tracks were prematurely leaked from the album that was years in the making. Babel did not disappoint for the die hard or newly established fan as the classic Mumford & Sons style progressed in their newest tracks such as “Whispers In The Dark” and “Hopeless Wanderer.” Even more songs are available on the deluxe edition of the album including “The Boxer.”
However, like so many other groups, the style of Mumford & Sons can become heavy and overwhelming since similar beats persist throughout the album. If Babel seemed like your kind of music, you should consider checking out the Avett Brothers. They share Mumford and Son’s alternative style with a bit more bluegrass. The Avett Brothers also recently released on September 11, 2012 titled The Carpenter. Both bands continue to gain popularity, and you should watch out for them in the future.

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Buffalo Wild Wings Comes to Cookeville

By Matt Billings and Cody Thompson

America. Many people regard this great land as the home of freedom, also home of guns, baseball, and perhaps most important of all, the hot chicken wing. Of the many great restaurants parceled throughout this great land, one of the most prominent to serve the mystical hot chicken wing is the treasure that is Buffalo Wild Wings. Founded in 1981, in Minneapolis, MN, James Disbrow and Scott Lowery created this famous chain. A mere thirty-one years later it stands as the quintessential chicken Mecca of North America.

On October 1st, the chain’s location in Cookeville, TN opened its doors for the first time? Like other Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants, customers are offered boneless or traditional wings with more than thirty options for sauces and seasonings to provide the optimal flavor experience. This unique restaurant has a glorious and long-standing tradition of rewarding the first 100 people through the door with free hot chicken wings for one year. However, glorious and mighty this deal may seem, there is one disappointing catch. The hot chicken wings are limited to one order a week, which is less than one wing a day. Added up however, this is a total of 312 hot chicken wings over the course of a year.
We decided to have a chat with CHS’s own Gray Forrester, one of the lucky recipients of the 312 free hot chicken wings. Gray along with some friends camped out the Sunday before the opening day of the Mecca that is Buffalo Wild Wings. When asked about the experience in general, he replied “ The first two hours were delightful, but then a torrential downpour occurred, causing me to retreat to my tent and reflect on my life. Ultimately the experience made me more of a man.” After Mr. Forrester’s powerful account, we decided to head over to Interstate Drive to try some hot chicken wings. An entire three weeks after the grand opening, we were forced to park in the Logan’s parking lot, due to how full it was. Besides the minor set back, we made the trek inside to partake upon the hot chicken wings, rumored to be of the heavens. After being seated, we had a hard time deciding which sauces we would choose. The subsequent meal was quality and the sauces were rich and savory as well as spicy.
In all, Buffalo Wild Wings proved to be more than a mere restaurant to get a quality hot chicken wing. Buffalo Wild Wings serves as a symbol of this great nation, with the freedom to choose any sauce your heart desires. Buffalo Wild Wings is indeed here to stay.

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