Alas I Cannot Swim [Digipak]

Rating

Album: Alas I Cannot Swim [Digipak]
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Ghosts
2)	Old Stone
3)	Tap At My Window
4)	Failure
5)	You're No God
6)	Cross Your Fingers
7)	Crawled Out Of The Sea
8)	My Maniac And I
9)	Night Terror
10)	Captain And The Hourglass, The
11)	Shine
12)	Your Only Doll (Dora)

Album: Alas I Cannot Swim [Digipak]

Song Title

Time

Ghosts

Old Stone

Tap At My Window

Failure

You're No God

Cross Your Fingers

Crawled Out Of The Sea

My Maniac And I

Night Terror

10)

Captain And The Hourglass, The

11)

Shine

12)

Your Only Doll (Dora)

Performer Notes

From the first strains of the mysterious, galloping folk-thumper, "Ghosts," to the aching, string-laden lament of "Tap at my Window," there is something so authentic and sui generis about Laura Marling's debut album, that emphemeral attributes like her youth (18 years old at the time of the recording) and acclaim (Mercury Prize finalist) fall away, leaving nothing but a bright, burning ember of an album--an instant classic heralding a unique songwriting talent.
Marling sings in a weary and conspiratorial whisper over muted guitars and dramatic but tastefully arranged strings and percussion. The acoustic set combines the autumnal textures of lo-fi poets like Beirut and Neutral Milk Hotel with the solidly melodic approach of classic Brit-folks like Richard Thompson, tied together by an assured voice that never reaches too hard, although occasionally bursts into a bluesy wail. It is a late-night album that casts a long shadow the morning after.

Professional Reviews

Spin (p.112) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Marling's voice, rich and tenuous, recalls Joni Mitchell, but her fatalistic screeds -- sung over acoustic guitar, with an occasional burst of percussion or strings -- owe more to Nick Drake and Will Oldham."

Clash (magazine) (p.68) - Ranked #11 in Clash's "The 40 Best Albums of 2008"

The Word (magazine) (p.106) - "Marling's folk constructions are as naked as those of Joan Baez or early Joni Mitchell, and her singing is pacy and urgent -- colourful, confident and distinctly un-waiflike."