I Speak Because I Can

What is here from the grown up Laura Marling?

Only few know what could be in the heart and mind of eighteen-year old Laura Marling when it was announced that her debut CD, Alas, I Cannot Swim, was nominated to Mercury Prize. Not many have reached such high results ever in their lives; and even fewer did it at this age. There is no secret, the quickly earned fame makes young performers get mature much faster than others do. This is necessary since you are to take responsible decisions fast, communicate with a wide range of different people and follow an extremely packed working schedule. Two years after the delivery of her first long player, Laura not only did get more mature, but also changed her image. She dyed her hair dark now and now looks severely and seriously. It was reasonable to expect changes in music as well. These assumptions proved right after the singer’s second full-length effort hit the stores under the title I Speak Because I Can. Even the cover of the new CD is strongly different from that of its predecessor. You will not find any more plurality of bright colors and the same bright mood. Everything went grey, plain and cold. Now, let us check the music.

Overwhelming seriousness

You are going to sense changes in music and vocals from the very start. This is still folk, just like before, yet with completely enhanced arranging. Compared to the two-year old record with its raw sounding, this one makes it clear that every track has been worked on thoroughly. There hardly is any song on the given CD that could open it better than Devil’s Spoke does. That’s a piece with truly emotional vocals as the lyrics required so. Laura has evidently acquired confidence in these two years, that very confidence she used to lack; and now she sounds really convincing. Track number two, Made By Maid, is a standout thing for it’s a retelling of an ancient English tale. Generally speaking, the album’s songs fall into two categories, that of the tracks where the vocals are almost all you can hear, and that of the tracks where the singing is backed by ensemble in its full force. Although there are depressive songs here, like Darkness Descends, and Speak Because I Can, you can not apply this attribute for the whole record. The change in mood and a wide selection of instruments endow the album with the necessary diversity. You are sure to feel it after listening to Alpha Shallows, and Goodbye England (Covered In Snow), placed next to each other.

Where is Laura Marling pushing on?

It could be so that Laura Marling goes slightly out of the line trying to seem too adult. This impression may arise from the lyrics of some of her songs where it takes time and effort to comprehend multitudes of images and implications. It is not clear why Laura Marling needs all this rush. Her progress in song-writing and performing is seen from afar. However, the sense of harmony is both extremely essential and hard to find when you are this young. The talent has no limits only in one’s praises, while in reality you can wear yourself out too early. In the meantime, Marling is getting ready for touring during which she is to prove that her songs sound nice not only out of the CD-player, but also off the stage. So far, everything goes right for Laura Marling. The interest exposed to folk-music seems to be growing. And although there is no deficit in young folk-music performers, Marling certainly gained an edge. She handles her voice splendidly and knows how to right interesting stuff, which is evidenced by her sophomore album I Speak Because I Can