Laura Marling is the best singer songwriter of recent years in my opinion. I stumbled across her in the early stages of her career, and fell in love with her debut single 'New Romantic'. At such a tender age, only 18 when this album was released, her voice is incredible and lyrically, her music is poised and very impressively intuitive. The album opens with 'Ghosts', which was released as a single. The simple guitar runs create a gentle melody, which dies down as Marling declares 'it's not like I believe in everlasting love' in her sweetly cynical voice. Another favourite of mine is 'Failure' both lyrically and aesthetically. Her voice sounds ...  Read the complete review

Background I first heard of Laura Marling when I went and saw The Maccabees at the Junction in Cambridge, and she was one of the support acts, the first thing I noticed was an attractive girl walk on stage, I must admit I do find her very pretty! However, her set was ok, but I didn't really focus on it that much, it didn't pack the kick it should have, perhaps because her music wasn't what the majority of the crowd were there to see. I went home, and downloaded a few tracks, this was all before her album was done, so I got a couple of demos, a cover of a Bryan Adams song, and a few others, which just sat on my computer, awaiting to be listened. This ...  Read the complete review

I first came across Laura Marling completely by accident when she supported the Macabees in Birmingham's Carling Academy the year before last. Unlike most other support acts, she silenced the crowd in an instant, simply by opening her mouth... I was brought 'Alas I cannot Swim' as a gift not so long ago, just before I was lucky enough to see Laura Marling perform again, and it has become one of my most listened to albums. If you are a fan of folk music, especially the kind that seems to have been mixed with the quirky ideas of a new generation, then this is for you. A wonderful combination of heart, humour and above all a very talented young ...  Read the complete review

I'll tell you what. I'm so keen on this album, that I've been avoiding reviewing it the fear that when I start analysing it, I'll find things I don't like about it. However, I have a feeling i don't have to worry about that! *the artist* Laura Marling is a folk-pop singer from Hampshire who released this, her debut album, in February 2008. 'Alas I cannot Swim' was nominated for the 2008 Mercury Prize, and reached no. 45 in the UK albums chart - I cannot understand why it failed to reach even more impressive heights. As an artist, Laura Marling has had more success as a backing vocalist for other artists. Her work on '5 years time' by ...  Read the complete review

I came across this little gem or a singer/songwriter whilst browsing on I tunes. They do a free single every week and "night terror" was the song of the week. After hearing it, I bought her album and have been hooked by her spell bounding folksy songs ever since. Laura Marling is only 18!!!!!! I nearly fell off my chair when I learned this, her lyrics are so poetic and wise and honest. She is old for her years, her accuracy is impeccable. It's her honesty that really forces you to listen to the abstract nature of her songs. Her voice is really pure and mellow. It's funny because this album has made me cry, smile, think of good times, think of bad ...  Read the complete review