I Speak Because I Can - Laura Marling
July 28th 2010 11:47
Link: www.lauramarling.com
Despite only being 18 at the time of it's release, Laura Marling's debut album "Alas, I Cannot Swim" sounded like it was written by someone twice that age and went on to be nominated for a Mercury Music Award. Now two years older and wiser Marling has built on that success with her new offering "I Speak Because I Can"
Whilst her debut showed a maturity beyond her age, there is no mistaking the fact that she has grown up over those two years adding greater complexity to her tales. There is theme of loss and longing throughout the album but the beauty of Marling's lyrics, guitar playing and singing make you follow her tales.
The backing band on the album is Mumford & Sons who released their equally impressive debut album earlier this year.
The album opens with the fantastic "Devil's Spoke", probably the most traditionally folky track, including a slight celtic twang "I am yer keeper and I hold yer face away"
The folk imagery continues on "Made by Maid" as Marling tells us how she was "born in the fog of the day." This track, along with "What He Wrote" are the two most stripped down songs, allowing Marling's vocal's and guitar to take centre stage.
Fans sampling this album from it's Mumford & Sons connections will probably find "Darkness Descends" the most familiar track. After an intro reminiscent of Devendra Banhart, the band kick and, without the female vocals the song would not feel out of place on their own recording.
"Alpha Shallows" also give the impression that the band are going to take control but here Marling ups the stakes and regains control.
"Goodbye England (Covered in Snow)" is a change in direction from the rest of the album as the feeling of loss and longing is replaced by sweet strings and a much lighter and optimistic atmosphere.
Marling has been quoted as saying she feels the beauty of an album has been diminished by the emergence of mp3's. There is no denying that "I Speak Because I Can" is an album and not a collection of songs. It may be this approach that has awarded her another Mercury Music Award nomination.
At twenty years old, Marling has many more years to mature into a brilliant performer but one wonders how more mature she can become.
Not one bad song on the album, and a couple of stand out tracks. A strong contender for album of the year. 8.8
Whilst her debut showed a maturity beyond her age, there is no mistaking the fact that she has grown up over those two years adding greater complexity to her tales. There is theme of loss and longing throughout the album but the beauty of Marling's lyrics, guitar playing and singing make you follow her tales.
The backing band on the album is Mumford & Sons who released their equally impressive debut album earlier this year.
The album opens with the fantastic "Devil's Spoke", probably the most traditionally folky track, including a slight celtic twang "I am yer keeper and I hold yer face away"
The folk imagery continues on "Made by Maid" as Marling tells us how she was "born in the fog of the day." This track, along with "What He Wrote" are the two most stripped down songs, allowing Marling's vocal's and guitar to take centre stage.
Fans sampling this album from it's Mumford & Sons connections will probably find "Darkness Descends" the most familiar track. After an intro reminiscent of Devendra Banhart, the band kick and, without the female vocals the song would not feel out of place on their own recording.
"Alpha Shallows" also give the impression that the band are going to take control but here Marling ups the stakes and regains control.
"Goodbye England (Covered in Snow)" is a change in direction from the rest of the album as the feeling of loss and longing is replaced by sweet strings and a much lighter and optimistic atmosphere.
Marling has been quoted as saying she feels the beauty of an album has been diminished by the emergence of mp3's. There is no denying that "I Speak Because I Can" is an album and not a collection of songs. It may be this approach that has awarded her another Mercury Music Award nomination.
At twenty years old, Marling has many more years to mature into a brilliant performer but one wonders how more mature she can become.
Not one bad song on the album, and a couple of stand out tracks. A strong contender for album of the year. 8.8
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