Laura Marling - Alas I Cannot Swim
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Laura MarlingEdition: Music CD
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 2008-03-25
Music Label: EMI Europe Generic
Soundtracks:
- Ghosts
- Old Stone
- Tap at My Window
- Failure
- You're No God
- Cross Your Fingers
- Crawled out of the Sea (Interlude)
- My Manic and I
- Night Terror
- Captain and the Hourglass
- Shine
- Your Only Doll (Dora)
Free Music Notes for Alas I Cannot Swim
Free Music Review: A remarkably accomplished debut.
Hit: 4 Stars
With all the noise about which one of Adele and Duffy may be the most bankable pop debutante of 2008, we may have overlooked an even more substantial and enduring prospect.
Recording with her live band, Laura has captured a primacy - never overstated - on a stunning debut which features 13 songs, showcasing Laura's fresh take on the folk idiom.
There is something about her voice which does recall Joni Mitchell - an ethereal wisdom, perhaps.
That voice is simple, honest, expressive and definitely more woman than girl, as is the subject matter of the songs. Weaned by her musically-inclined father on the best singer-songwriters of the 1960s.
Laura Marling writes, to some degree, in that vein, lightly weaving in elements of traditional folk as well. The musical armoury is tastefully organic - acoustic guitar, strings, xylophone, sparse percussion and even snippets of found sound.
"Alas I cannot Swim" is the debut album by 18 year old British rising star.
"Ghosts" is the albums opening enchanting track which is a dreamy acoustic folk love tale of young lovers haunted by the memory of lost love superbly written and performed with depth and strength ("these are the ghosts, the ghosts that broke my heart before I met you.."), the grief suffered ("...he says, I'm so lost, not well at all") and the refuge found in friendship ("we were just lovers crying on each other's shoulder").
The following "Old Stone", reflecting on the idea of being happily alone for as long as time will allow, is again a relationship based song that makes you want to lie back and close your eyes and just soak up the pleasure as the Laura's voice just washes over you.
"Tap At My Window" is the third track on the album, its sung with such power that you are just captivated by it. It begins with strummed chords but blossoms with violins and a growing intensity which suggests a real emotional voyage. It so good that not only do you have to stop what your doing, but you in fact wouldn't want to do anything apart from listen to this!
"Failure", a marvelously mature masterpiece which takes in everything from the futility of religion and fading passion to aching self-doubt, is a very poised and powerful track.
"Night Terror" is a modern folk song as wonderful as any dusty vinyl offering from the 1960s.
She creates melodies which avoid all the usual well-worn paths, yet still sound natural, not forced.
Take the song "Cross Your Fingers" - a breezy and brisk number which constantly takes the tune where you least expect it to go.
Her creamy voice canters over deft fingerpicked guitars and celtic violin throughout the rest of the album, and although the heights of the aforementioned song are barely hinted at elsewhere, Laura's promise - she's just 18 years old - is as clear as spring water.
No doubt, she is a fantastic singer/songwriter with a powerful and defined voice that puts her leagues above all the other artists in her genre. She has a very pure sound that separates her from recent break through female artists that makes you sit back and enjoy a very fabulous album that you listen to over and over again.
Made of Bricks
Little Dreamer
19
Rockferry
Alas I Cannot Swim Poster
Reading-based songstress Laura Marling has been likened to veteran folksters Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez. Despite such hyperbolic accolades, her entry into the crowded world of young female singer-songwriters has been remarkably hushed and wonderfully organic. Having started writing songs at the age of 15, Marling's success has been achieved not by shouting, but by whispering her way through the ranks. Perhaps because of her youth--she turned 18 just before releasing this Alas, I Cannot Swim--Marling has an understated yet accomplished manner that just doesn't grate like some of her peers. Plus her songs are good--very good. Backed by imaginative arrangements from leftfield acoustic outfit Noah and the Whale, the tracks here are often coyly charming, though far from na?ve. Marling digs impressively deep into all kinds of universal topics, from religion and parents to love and romance. Lead single "Ghosts" introduced to many her soft, alluring vocal style, and other songs here share the same sense of intimacy, even if they differ thematically and musically. Things are kept simple throughout (think acoustic strums and a homespun delivery), but there are subtle and beautiful contrasts throughout; the Beirut-esque carnival aura of "Crawled out of the Sea" and the brooding "Night Terror", for example, which provide darker counterpoints to airier fare like the folksy title track and the compelling "My Manic & I". Disarming yet deep, provocative yet peaceful, Alas places Marling head and shoulders above the bawlers and wailers. --Paul Sullivan2008 debut album from the young British Folk singer/songwriter who will appeal to fans of Kirsty Maccoll, Linda Thompson and Kate Nash. Although not legally old enough to buy a drink, this darling of the Art-Folk circuit has been selling out clubs and garnering critical acclaim. 12 tracks including the single 'Ghosts'. Virgin.
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