Customer Reviews

Alas I Cannot Swim (Dig)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Alas I Cannot Swim" is the debut album from one of Britain's most exciting new talents.
Twelve diverse tracks showcase Marling's versatile vocals and show little fear of leaving them exposed, while gentle acoustic guitar is the album's mainstay and folky string arrangements add new dimensions as songs develop. Released as a single, opening track "Ghosts" has already given listeners a taste of a confident record.
It's hard to believe that Laura Marling is a new artist who's just 18 years old - her voice is fresh and full of youthful vigour, yet it sounds as if it's been there for decades.
The Berkshire teenager is an untarnished musical treasure, and this is a debut informed by pop's past and fuelled by the nu folk present.
She composes startlingly mature lyrics reflecting on mortality - both "You're No God" and "My Manic And I" are stunningly simple explorations of the human condition, sung with crystal clarity yet warmly engaging.
The album is the culmination of what has been a prolific year of songwriting and creative maturity for Laura, from her debut EP, `"The London Town EP", released through Way Out West, to recent EP "My Manic & I", which saw her compared to a range of iconic female artists: Joni Mitchell, Sandy Denny, Kate Bush and PJ Harvey.
Warm folk arrangements of guitar, trumpets and brushed drums compliment songs that are beautifully measured, quirky but not overly so, smart but accessible - and all nodding towards a love of life with all its eccentricities.
Highlights are "Ghosts", "Night Terror", "Your Only Doll (Dora)" and the magnificent "Failure", a track that takes in everything from the futility of organised religion to fading fame. It's a lovely, special album.
With all the right influences not being worn on her musical sleeve, Laura Marling already sounds like the finished article.

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

Like Peter Savage "seriously" (see his review of this CD) I found the Joni comparissons to be unfounded and must admit that the first time through I found the CD to be a bit dry/thin.
Unlike Mr. Savage I listened to Ms. Marling's CD a few times and found that it was
brilliantly written- containing sly humor and a mature and poetic worldview that belies her young age.
Mr. Savage's folk roots may be in order but in my book Ms. Marling along with Johnny Flynn and Fionn Regan are the future of true British Isles Folk. Listen to this deceptively simple CD until you "GET IT", it's worth it.

I'm surprised there aren't a slew of reviews for this album as it has been out for a while. I don't feel I need to spend a lot of time reviewing the album as the Amazon review(p. Sullivan) seems, for once to have got it about right.

In the UK this album got a bit more press coverage than it might as it got lumped in with the 'next Amy Winehouse/Lily Allen' group of young female singers (Duffy, Kate Nash etc)but differs from her immediate peers by being the best of them by a stretch. Her music, though, is not the sort that lends itself easily to world domination. It is, however, ridiculously mature in outlook and beautifully realised. The songs are so strong throughout this album it is hard to credit.

It is always tempting when a young artist bursts on to the scene to picture their potential as being as much of the appeal as the work itself in this case there is no need. I'm not saying she won't record even better albums in the future but if she only matches the quality of this one it will be enough.

This is one of the best albums I've run across in a long, long time! She has the voice of an angel, the language of a poet, and the wisdom of someone much older. Super talented and enticing! I listen to the album over and over.

I happened to read about this wonderful musician and yesterday, i happened to stumble upon this precious cd in the record store cum bookshop in my place. So happy(!), rushed to get it and waited patiently for the right time to listen to Laura's songs while sipping mineral water.
Not disappointed at all. A true gem for those who like their music a little folksy with meaningful, deep lyrics.

Here in Australia Laura Marling recieved national exposure through Triple J radio a couple of months ago . A interview on 2008, and Alas, I Cannot Swim was also the featured Album of the week. If it was not for Laura Marling's appearence on Triple J TV doing a cover version and interview, I would have passed by the Album.
Also Amzon's Review (recommended) nailed my decision to buy the Album.
Since the Postcard era of the 80's, British folk/pop has always found a place in my music collection . Alas, I Cannot Swim fits in perfectly, and between my secound and third listen became my most enjoyed new release of this year .

Laura Marling's "Alas I Cannot Swim" burst out of the speakers for me, a delightful discovery. While one of my favorites is ironically titled "Failure," many tracks sparkle such as "You're No God" with its sweet shuffle, "You've never needed someone to comfort you." On "Cross Your Fingers" Marling combines a sunny melody with a darker lyric, "I jump into your grave & die; In your words, you'll give up your whole life for me & be reborn bigger & stronger." "My Manic & I" spins alluring with a heavy layer of sarcasm in the lyric, "I don't believe him; Morning is mocking me; Oh the gods that he believes never fail to amaze me; He believes in the love of his god of all things, but I find him wrapped up in all manner of sins." The opening track "Ghosts" is another sparkler that bounces with its bubbly melody and world-weary lyric, "Lover please do not fall to your knees; It's not like I believe in everlasting love." "Alas I Cannot Swim" has amazing buoyancy, marrying excellent songwriting and performance. Bravo!

It took me a few listens for this album to really grab me, but grab me it has. I listen to a lot of music, and this is the kind of album I'm always searching for. Something that makes me stop what I'm doing and just listen.

Im not sure there's a great deal of point in telling you what she sounds like when you can listen to the samples. The best thing I can say is to at least give it a few listens, as with most really good music, it usualy takes a few listens to get to you.

The stand out track is Night Terror imo.

This CD is really quite impressive. Laura Marling can flat out make good music. Good Guitar, production, lyrics, and overall good feel. Her follow up was just as impressive. I'll be following her musical career as we go along.