I think it's about time we had a Laura Marling thread around here. She's a U.S. release and Pitchfork rave away from taking off and I really hope she will. Does anyone know if she has a U.S. release scheduled yet?

I've been listening to Alas I Cannot Swim all spring and can't get it out of my head. "Ghosts," "Tap at My Window," "My Manic and I," and "Night Terror" are my personal favorites, but the entire album is excellent. If you want a brief preview, the My Manic and I EP is available on iTunes and it contains two of the best songs from the album. Out of the recent flood of British female artists, she's by far the best, imo.

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Originally posted by blueskyoas:
Out of the recent flood of British female artists, she's by far the best, imo.

Not sure that's saying much, really. BTW, you should check out Ane Brun, if you haven't already.

I also love the Alas I Cannot Swim album, it's still in my top 10 favorite albums of the year ("Shine" and "Night Terror" are my top top tracks here). Not sure on a US release but it's going for a not too terribly unreasonable price at amazon, especially for an import. As for British female artists of recent, I'm lovin' them to death, especially of late, (besides Marling), Rachel Unthank, Julie Fowlis, and Karine Polwart.

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Originally posted by blueskyoas:
Out of the recent flood of British female artists, she's by far the best, imo.

Most definitely. But yeah, as ezatldude says, it's astonishingly difficult to lose to say, Kate Nash.

Big fan of the debut album, very promising + shows plenty of potential, only a few bad songs. Favourite is 'Failure'

listened to the album about three times this afternoon. while at first i thought it had two or three good songs, i've gotten familiar with it enough to find it much stronger than thought at first. thus a grower for me. Favorites are 'Ghosts', 'My Manic and I' and 'Old Stone'

She really has a truly distinctive voice and I love her lyrics.

Not a weak song on her album imo.

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Originally posted by ezatldude:

quote:

Originally posted by blueskyoas:
Out of the recent flood of British female artists, she's by far the best, imo.

Not sure that's saying much, really. BTW, you should check out Ane Brun, if you haven't already.

I couldn't agree more about Ane Brun. She is absolutely fantastic. Can't wait to hear the new album.

There are some really great British female singers around. Kathryn Williams is a favourite of mine, particularly her Little Black Numbers album (and especially the majestic Soul To Feet). Also Thea Gilmore, and Rachel Unthank, the aforementioned Julie Fowlis, and I'm enjoying the recent album by Candie Payne.

Actually, that's fairly meagre. Who'd I miss?

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Originally posted by Borachon:

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Originally posted by ezatldude:

quote:

Originally posted by blueskyoas:
Out of the recent flood of British female artists, she's by far the best, imo.

Not sure that's saying much, really. BTW, you should check out Ane Brun, if you haven't already.

I couldn't agree more about Ane Brun. She is absolutely fantastic. Can't wait to hear the new album.

What's her best - Changing of the Seasons or an earlier album?

I haven't listened to her new album yet, but I don't think you can go wrong with A Temporary Dive. It's all good though.

They're both really good.

I haven't listened to her debut, but Ane Brun's newest is top twenty for me this year.

Marling is a great talent who I have been following since last year. Her songwriting is incredible for someone her age. Usually it takes a performer years to reach that level of songwriting maturity and she has managed it at the age of 19.

I saw Marling live in Stockholm and was very impressed with her live show. Though she still gets a bit intimidated in front of bigger crowds, once she starts singing it is incredible. I still find it hard to believe that her voice is coming from such a tiny frame. Amazing.