Album Of The Month - February: Laura Marling - Alas, I Cannot Swim

Last month was a bit of a cop out, Radiohead's In Rainbows was released in October 2007 really... but nevermind, it's just such an amazing album. The best album that was properly released in January this year was easily Lightspeed Champion - Falling Off The Lavender Bridge. Quite a shock album, I hadn't heard anything except a demo last summer and wasn't really expecting much but it completely blew me away.

On to February, there were a few candidates once again. Hot Chip's 3rd album "Made In The Dark" is outstanding, though there may be a few too many slow tracks on it. I also discovered Nada Surf this month, their 5th studio album "Lucky" has some amazing tracks but isn't really anywhere near as good as 1998's "The Proximity Effect".

So, I picked one of the best debuts I've heard in ages and one of the albums I was most looking forward to this year. The most important thing to bare in mind when listening to this album is that Laura Marling is only 18, and that this album represents her potential to be the next huge folk act in England more than anything. Still, in it's own right, Alas, I Cannot Swim is amazing.

There is the obvious comparison with the other recent songstresses to come out of the London area in recent times, despite Laura sounding nothing like the likes of Kate Nash, Adele or Lily Allen. If comparison is forced, as it so often is nowadays, then, to be blunt, everything about this album is better than every aspect of the other's albums.

The lyrics on some songs, especially "Night Terror" and "Failure", are exceptional, as is the music. The backing vocals merge perfectly with Laura's own voice and the production is perfect. It's not over done, you can hear her laughing at the end of one track, and the folk sound of the acoustic guitar has not been damaged.

Overall, it's amazing, but theres so much potential here it's clear to see how good her next album should be. If you can write lyrics as deep as some on here are at 18, imagine how good it will be with a bit more life experience. It shows how bad it is to lump people together so quickly. The difference between Laura, someone who has been playing guitar since the were 3, and people who join drama schools and are willing to do anything to be famous *cough*Kate Nash*cough* is evident, and, to be honest, to put this majestic album in the same group as Made Of Bricks, should be a crime.

Best Tracks:
Old Stone
Night Terror
Captain & The Hour Glass