Laura Marling, ooh she's good.
And there it ends and here begins a proper review.
~
At just 20 years old the future holds great things for the folk singer-songwriter. Her debut album Alas I Cannot Swim started off as something of a cult LP but quickly gained momentum, especially with the nomination of a Mercury Music Prize barreling her along.
I Speak Because I Can is polished and yes, it's more 'mature' than her first album but none of that raw emotion has been lost. Songs like Alpha Shallows and Hope In the Air still retain a certain intensity that Marling so obviously captures. Her lyrical quality surpasses much of what can be heard on the radio today. I'll admit I did cringe a little when I heard her song being played on a national radio station if only because I don't want it to ruin her. I don't want her to be loved for one song only to be chewed up and spat out. But if it gets her name out to the masses then who am I to complain?
I take great offense to the Guardian's Kitty Empire (if that is even her real name) for writing that 'Marling remains a frustratingly polite songwriter, rather than one who really skewers you through the solar plexus.' Do we really need to be punched repeatedly in the stomach to feel like we've enjoyed an artist? No Kitty, we do not. The most polite element of Marling comes from her very 'English' pronunciation, the rest remains perfectly skewering you all over.
~SouthernHeart
Listening to: Laura Marling - Devil's Spoke
I Speak Because I Can is polished and yes, it's more 'mature' than her first album but none of that raw emotion has been lost. Songs like Alpha Shallows and Hope In the Air still retain a certain intensity that Marling so obviously captures. Her lyrical quality surpasses much of what can be heard on the radio today. I'll admit I did cringe a little when I heard her song being played on a national radio station if only because I don't want it to ruin her. I don't want her to be loved for one song only to be chewed up and spat out. But if it gets her name out to the masses then who am I to complain?
I take great offense to the Guardian's Kitty Empire (if that is even her real name) for writing that 'Marling remains a frustratingly polite songwriter, rather than one who really skewers you through the solar plexus.' Do we really need to be punched repeatedly in the stomach to feel like we've enjoyed an artist? No Kitty, we do not. The most polite element of Marling comes from her very 'English' pronunciation, the rest remains perfectly skewering you all over.
~SouthernHeart
Listening to: Laura Marling - Devil's Spoke
Love. thanks to skins. :) Her new album is one of stunning beauty. Particular favourites are What He Wrote and Hope In The Air.
ReplyDeleteThe album is one of my favourites of 2010 and has pushed me to listen to more of her genre. Something I have yet to do (up until now) I listen to some american folk but Billy Bragg aside I haven't listened to much British.
That is set to change
Skins has a lot to answer for but definitely not Laura Marling. No. Listen to her first album too, it's not as refined but there's a beauty in that.
ReplyDelete