Ok, enough of that. Let us begin:
5. Laura Marling- Alas I Cannot Swim
Fellow blogger Olli B said this about Laura Marling's debut album:
"I am flat out bored of hearing that this is a great album for someone so young to have made. Why? Because this is a great album for anyone to have made, of any age."
He has quite a fair point. Whilst I'm one of those who can't believe Laura is actually younger than I am and can write better songs than I ever will and filled an album up with these songs and almost makesmewanttocryandgiveupwritingaltogether, *deep breath* I'm pretty sure anyone could've written this album and it'd still received a load of praise for being so fucking good.
It's a perfectly paced album. The first half is mostly full of happier more optimistic songs, while the second half is the darker side of the album and it's all held together by Laura Marling's fantastic fragile voice. 'Ghosts' shows off Marlings voice at its best, a tale of forgetting about past loves whilst pursuing a new one. Laura's voice becomes more fragile, yet even strong as the song builds up to its final chorus. It's odd but brilliant. As are all the other songs. 'Tap At My Window' is a beautiful song about rejecting someone who just won't go away and 'Failure' solo acoustic strum is so full of youth that you can't help but smile.
'You're No God' and 'Cross Your Fingers' are practically pop songs but are so gloriously happy you can't help but be swept away by them. You're brought back down immediately by the brilliant 'My Manic And I' though, a dark, and confused tale a a girl losing her mind. this is followed by 'Night Terror', a slow brooding sea chanty that receaches a piecing crescendo. 'The Captain And The Hourglass' is another sad and confused song, pondering the loss of a friend, at the same time sounding like it's lost in the middle of a storm. It's striking compared to 'Shine', the highlight of the abum and featuring just Laura's voice and guitar. It's simplicity and minimalism is gripping and definately has to be listened to carefully to fully appreciate.
'Dora (Your Only Doll)' could be the perfect closer for the album, another minimal atmospheric song that hauntingly beautiful, but hidden at the end is the albums title track, a deliciously happy sing-along that gets the biggest cheers at all of Lauras gigs. Following the darkness of the songs preceding it, it's the perfect way to end the album, the light at the end of the tunnel.
I might be jealous that an 18 year old has written an album of songs that are all better than anything I'll ever rite, but Laura Marling really has excelled with 'Alas I Cannot Swim'. It's a mature, haunting and beautiful album, that should be adored by many for years to come.
2 comments:
Oooh look, I get a mention :) That makes me feel all proper and good at things.
This album's pretty ace. Not THE best of the year, but one of, definitely.
Indeed, hence why it's only at number 5 and not any higher.
And I thought you'd appreciate the name drop. :p
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