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 naïve. 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 Sullivan
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Marling has broken - into the big time Comment: The first thing to strike you about this album is that it is an absolutely astonishing piece of work for someone who had just turned 18 when it was released. This folky debut album by Ex-Noah & The Whale vocalist Laura Marling is an accomplished, remarkable and mature collection of mostly deep songs performed with artistry and real conviction, largely thanks to Laura's beautifully understated, expressive and distinctive vocals. Songs of love, longing, death, family relationships and disturbed minds are all performed in a way which make them a powerfully emotive listening experience and also often strangely uplifting, regardless of the subject matter.
Although this album isn't quite a masterpiece, it is very close to greatness. There are some absolute gems of songs here and it is very clear that the vastly talented Marling has a very bright future indeed. 'Ghosts', which is like a mini-novel within a song set to acoustic guitar and chimes, is a beautiful introduction to the album. 'Tap At My Window' is a beautiful composition, like the songwriting lovechild of Joni Mitchell and Aimee Mann. 'You're No God' is like a more delicate, folky Arcade Fire composition, but is equally as powerful as some of their best work. 'My Manic And I' is slice of dark, stirring brilliance, utilising light and shade, both lyrically and musically, to perfection. Those are my personal favourites, but virtually everything on this album is at least very good, if not excellent.
The always interesting and pleasingly varied 'Alas I Cannot Swim' is a real slow-burner of an album and although some songs appear perhaps a little unremarkable during the first couple of listens, the more you hear this release, the greater the chance of you appreciating the "lesser" songs and gaining full enjoyment and appreciation of this piece of work. Once you fully grasp the full meaning of the lyrics, the way the music is tied so closely to the words and allow the subtleties and complexities of this album to sink in, you'll probably love this album as much as I do.
Customer Rating: Summary: This is a lovely album which grows on you. Comment: I have heard this album a number of times now and each time I find something else to like about it. She is a very young lady with an old soul. Great stuff.
Alas I Cannot Swim Customer Rating: Summary: Neverending magic... Comment: I'll admit that I shyed away from this album initially since it's not the genre of music I'd usually listen to but after one listen I couldn't have been more impressed.
The lyrics are clever and original; the melodies catchy and her voice is simply stunning.
Not a day has passed where I have failed to give at least one track on this album a listen and it's hard to stop when the songs are just so magical and captivating!
I love each and every song on the album but I think "Ghosts", "Captain and The Hourglass", "Failure" and "My Manic and I" are just that little bit extra special. Would also highly recommend giving "New Romantic" (which isn't on the album) a listen if you haven't done so already.
A brilliant young talent (can't believe she's less than a year older than me!) but her lyrics speak beyond her years and I hope she continues to bring us these refreshingly beautiful songs. Customer Rating: Summary: Talent to burn Comment: I usually try to be cool, focused and objective in my reviews but, for Laura Marling's debut album, I'll make an exception. 'Cool, focused and objective' can all take a backseat while their more emotional cousin 'dribbly wide-eyed adoration' takes the wheel, puts his foot down and heads for the sunlit hills. "Alas I Cannot Swim" is gorgeous, clever, moving and absolutely packed with the most exquisite melodies. If there has been a better album released in the past twelve months then, well, I for one haven't heard it.
Absolutely everything works in harmony on this album. The lyrics are dark, inventive ("He wants to die in a lake in Geneva/The mountains can cover the shape of his nose") and haunting, focusing on the impossibility of everlasting love; failure; the cold comforts of religious faith and lonliness. The melodies are gorgeously beautiful in a way that's almost indecent - to put it in very blunt and simple terms 'Alas I Cannot Swim' is absolutely packed with good old fashioned tunes, at least a couple of which ('The Captain and the Hourglass' and 'Your Only Doll (Dora)') sound so catchy and elegant that you can't quite believe they haven't been around for years. Oh yes, as if that wasn't enough Laura Marling's voice is wonderful: clear, beautiful and yet with an emotional fragility that highlights the haunted depths of her lyrics. And then there's more - she's comfortable writing and performing songs in numerous different styles and tempos. From the almost pop song "Ghosts", to the tortured depths of "Night Terror" to the near sea-shanty "Crawled out of the sea (interlude)" - perhaps the most casually brilliant throw-away minute and a half of music recorded in the last year - to the melancholy ballad "The Captain and the Hourglass" Marling carries it all off with talent to burn.
Enough already. If Laura Marling isn't well on her way to being recognised as a major and original talent then there is no justice in the world. She is - dribbly wide-eyed adoration coming up - absolutely fabulous. Buy the album, catch her live if you can - she is absolutely spellbinding on stage - and cherish every moment of what will hopefully be a long career. Alas I Cannot Swim - the best album I have heard for a very, very long time. Customer Rating: Summary: "The real deal" Comment: Although Laura Marling is not courting the public or mainstream media (like other singer/songwriters see Adele, Lily Allen or Kate Nash), her voice is so strong and unique that hopefully it is only inevitable that she becomes better known and doesnt just dissappear under the tide of comercialised female singers that all sound the same and demand attention and fame.
For the people who have heard her and know how good she is, it is worth having a listen to "Noah and the whale" where she adds backing vocals to some entertaining folk-pop songs.
