Way back when, in the deep American south, the banjo was amalgamated from lingering concepts of other African instruments. Then it was adopted by white people became somewhat of a mainstay in Country and Bluegrass circles. In 2009 if you hear a banjo being plucked by the soft fingers of an urban youth, it is more than likely that some brand hipster indie rock is going on. Nothing wrong with the occasional dip in the skinny jeans club you might say? It is in this spirit that this little retrospective of banjo rock was assembled.

The most recent to me at least is London based folk band Mumford and Sons who just released their debut full length album Sigh No More two days ago on October 6th, 2009.

The Dodos from San Fransisco got a lot of press for their 2008 album Visiter and they also just came out with an album last month called Time to Die. Expect a post on that album coming soon.

Finally I dug up an old Sufjan Stevens track which contrasts sharply with his latest project the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

Mumford and Sons – Little Lion Man

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The Dodos – Walking

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Sufjan Stevens – All The Trees Of The Field Will Clap Their Hands

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