Rise

Formats

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  CDVY3075CD  £6.00

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  UMC9453Long Player  £18.00

Label

Astralwerks

Laura Marling

I Speak Because I Can

uk songstress laura marling releases her sophomore album 'i speak because i can' on virginproduced by ethan johns kings of leon ryan adams 'i speak because i can' is the follow up to marling's lauded mercury prizenominated debut 'alas i cannot swim' 'i speak because i can' is laura marling's coming of age album if such a thing can be said about the brilliant songwriter whose compositions belie her age for the record she'll be twenty this year recorded in 2009 at peter gabriel's real world studios in outside london and featuring the talents of her backing band mumford and sons 'i speak because i can' reveals a new side to laura marling whose debut was released when she was only seventeen years old its ten songs are imbued with a new richness ripeness and sophistication marked by homespun tales and sparse instrumentation 'i speak because i can' showcases not only marling's ability to tell one hell of a story but her incredible guitar playing which has grown more intricate since her first album marling chose ethan johns to produce her new material as she credits many of his earlier records among them albums by ray lamontagne kings of leon emmylou harris sarabeth tucek and more with kindling her interest in music she had long admired his way of working his use of reels his quiet traditional methods of production the warmth found within the records he produced he gave her the space to find her own identity as such the record reveals a new maturity and at points marling's voice sounds a little harder a little worldwearied while still showcasing her impressive range not heard on previous recordings and while 'i speak because i can' is at times a darker album than its predecessor it is a brilliant step forward from a young artist who continues to keep us awestruck at her talent marling will return to the studio with ethan johns within the next few months to work on a second album of new material that will be released in the fall of 2010