Laura Marling

Add Date: April 6

Artist: Laura Marling

Album: I Speak Because I Can

Label: Self-released

Genre: Folk/Americana/Rock/English folk

Comments: It's English, it's folkish, it's fun but still moving--It's Laura Marling! The promoter says: "For all its American instrumentation, its shades of Crosby Stills and Nash, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, its American producer, these songs are no pale Americana interpretation; rather they are tales deeply rooted in England." I'd connect Ms. Marling as the female counterpart to Damien Rice, which is not a likening I would not hand out lightly.

Just one listen in, I was convinced anyone would loves these songs--but the better part of this thought is that I am still unsure why I believe this. Ms. Marling is certainly a folk artist, which not everyone can get there toe tappin' to. Maybe it is the contrast between her English accent and the banjo picking, or the seamless blending between her melodies and the string instruments, or the simple guitar riffs mixed in with piano layers that draw me in, and I am sure they will do the same for you. The song "Rambling Man" could easily be found on a big-named artist's album, showing that Ms. Marling's songwriting abilities are beyond the recognition her career has received thus far.

Start with 3 ("Rambling Man"), 1, and 4.