Alas I Cannot Swim

"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.

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.