Laura Marling, she might not be able to swim but she can f*cking sing! (Songbox Limited Special Edition Contains Cd Album 'alas I Cannot Swim' - Laura Marling)

Member Name: SpookyMoon

Product:	Songbox Limited Special Edition Contains Cd Album 'alas I Cannot Swim' - Laura Marling
Date:	26/04/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: This album is really mellow and dreamy.Very original.Clever lyrics and beautiful vocals.

Disadvantages: None I can think of.

I swore I was going to hate this album by Laura Marling, I really did. My husband bought the CD after listening to some of her songs online. I had heard Night Terror and really honestly hated it. So by the time the album 'Alas I Cannot Swim' came in the post, I wasn't really bothered about listening to it. In fact my husband and I had a 'new CD' stand off which he won and got to the Hi-fi before I did! Sulking, I went into the kitchen to do the dishes. But as I washed up, I found myself being charmed by the lyrics and the wonderful voice of young Laura. I dont know why I hadn't heard it before but it suddenly dawned on me that her voice was really soothing and her lyrics really unique.

My favourite song on the album has to be 'The Captain and the Hourglass'. For such a young artist the lyrics are really clever and really beguiling. There is a certain childlike kookiness to the songs and definitely a sparkly underlying magical feel. This song really does encapsulate and bring together all those elements in the album.

So I still dont like the song 'Night Terror', 1 out of 12 isnt bad is it? The rest are simply delicious and if, like me, you are dubious of 18 year old femal vocalists singing the same old 'love me, why dont you love me' crap: then fear not because Laura Marling really does go beyond the typical and is certainly worthy of the acclaim she is beginning to receive.

Summary: Totally charming album!