The Avett Brothers (upright bass, banjo, acoustic guitar, cello, kick drum & snare played by the feet of the brothers) are brilliant. I was turned on to MaS by a fan of The Avetts, so I thought it would be appropriate to mention them here. The most common link between the two bands, besides the instrumentation, is the ability to write heartfelt and soulful lyrics that do a great job at capturing your attention and holding it. Try the Emotionalism album to get a good idea of what the band is like.

The Devil Makes Three is another old timey style acoustic folk band that uses similar instrumentation but takes on a more upbeat, bluesy tone; they really make you want to get up and stomp your feet. The lyrics are genuine and genius as well, but are much darker/comedic than The Avett Bros or Mumford. The new album and song by the same name, Do Wrong Right, are incredibly amazing.

Blitzen Trapper is excellent as well; they use vintage equipment to garner a classic rock sound, and the harmonies are brilliant. Try the Furr album or check out the gigantic library of free concerts they have online.

I almost forgot to mention the other common link between these four bands, the beautiful ability to harmonize. It's organic and genetic in some cases, the way they all blend their voices together. Try any of these guy and you will not be dissapointed. It's so rare to find an album where there is literally not one bad song to be found; these bands and the new Mumford & Sons album defeat this issue with the aforementioned recommendations.

Do any of you in the UK have any suggestions of similar UK/European/or other country's bands for us over here across the pond?

Thanks in advance...

Thanks for the heads-up about these.  I'm well familiar with the Avett Brothers.  Gotta check out the others.  I just saw this dude, Matt Epp (www.mattepp.com), last night and he is much less frenetic but he can wail like Marcus and plays a mean mouth harp.

 Two of my friends are making music that shares some aspects of M&S...  Jason Paul Johnston (www.jasonpauljohnston.com) is the Americana side, more classic style.  terns (www.myspace.com/terns) will make you dance like M&S.

I'll have a ponder and make a list....when less sleepy...but definitely going to check these people out and return the favour, ah good times. :) Off the top of my head - and I think most will have these guys already - I'd still recommend Beirut on many levels!

Might check em out, cheers

Flying Cup Club is the place to start for me! :)

 I actually prefer Gulag Orkestar but I do think it's better to start with the Flying Cup Club because it's a little bit less traditional.

Yup! Absolutely agreed for that reason, nice way to be dragged in...:p

Check out San Diego band THE SILENT COMEDY  "If you feel like you can't find music that you can raise your beer to, come see us," says J. Michael. "Grow a beard, pour a drink and get folked up"! Check out 'Gasoline' (such a beautiful track), '49', 'Bones' and 'Mrs Miller's Secrets' for starters.  New album due out in the Spring.  Would be great to see them live here in the UK http://www.myspace.com/thesilentcomedy

 i love beirut. right now, i'm listening to a fabulous swedish lady called 'taken by trees'. i have no idea if this is similar enough to warrant being mentioned in this thread, but i still like her :) kind of similar to jose gonzelez (who i would also recommend, btw, if anyone hasnt heard of him!)

 I'll second the Avett Bros.  Their latest release, 'I and Love and You,' with producer Rick Rubin is a fantastic debut album.  I'm hoping to find the same quality in 'Sigh No More'--the YouTube material certainly promises a lot!

Growing up in the native land of American Old Time and Bluegrass, it's exciting to see a fresh take on some of the traditional sounds and instruments that I'm used to.

Jesse Quin & The Mets

http://www.myspace.com/jessequinandthemets

not really anything to do with mumford and sons, but if you like folk music and are a fan of Bob Dylan check out kenneth stirling on youtube, his lyrics are incredible and he is massively underated!

Ehh I dunno if they're the same genre or style as MaS but for some reason

 

Kill it Kid, florence and the machine and Frank Turner remind me of MaS =D

Kris if you like frank turner

check out beans on toast, he performed with mumford and sons on new years eve, also check out king charles who have supported mumford a few times :)

 I'll echo The Avett Brothers suggestion.  I'm also a big fan of The Decemberists and Seth Lakeman.