Ear on TV: Week of 02.15.10: Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons, one of the hottest UK acts to make it over the pond in awhile, take a truly American country-folk sound and do it up better than a limey really has a right to. Perhaps it's that they mix in the energy of a lively pub and build their songs to a fever pitch, like an evangelical minister on his game.

Touring in support of their debut release, Sigh No More, the UK quartet has already brought American audiences to their feet, bringing down the house at the Troubador in Los Angeles last week. The band has their US network television debut Wednesday night on The Late Show with David Letterman, playing the song "Little Lion Man," a song declared by UK DJ Zane Lowe (Radio 1) as "the hottest record in the world." When was the last time you heard that about a song that featured a banjo, front and center?

TMeanwhile, you'd be hard pressed to find a band that can squeezes more drama and pure joy out of every note than Fanfarlo, The five-piece's rich instrumentation and inventive arrangements may have folks crying Arcade Fire rip-off, but if there's a band to be derivative of, it's not a bad choice. Fanfarlo make their network television debut on Letterman as well. On Monday night, their summery folk-pop will be sure to buff up enough of a shine on Paul Shaffer's head to blind the viewers at home. Consider this your warning.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, February 15
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Fanfarlo
OVATION: Mahalia Jackson: The Power and the Glory: Mahalia Jackson
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Rihanna
Tuesday, February 16
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Sade
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Mary J. Blige
OVATION: Masters of American Music: Billie Holiday: Billie Holiday
OVATION: The Search for Robert Johnson: Robert Johnson
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Sade
Wednesday, February 17
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Mumford & Sons
CURRENT: Embedded: Nipsey Hussle, Telepathe, Zee Avi, Moby, Josh Ritter
FOX: Lopez Tonight: Snoop Dogg
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Dam Funk
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, Levon Helm, Nick Lowe, Richard Thompson, Allen Toussaint
Thursday, February 18
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Robin Thicke
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Daniel Merriweather
FUEL: The Daily Habit: OK Go
Friday, February 19
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Wale
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Dam Funk
OVATION: Marvin Gaye: Live in 76: Marvin Gaye
Saturday, February 20
Sunday, February 21
OVATION: Welcome to Death Row: The Rise and Fall of Death Row Records
OVATION: IMPACT!: Run DMC & Aerosmith - "Walk This Way": Run DMC & Aerosmith