Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can, album review

Not just a mere progression from Alas, I Cannot Swim, Miss Marling’s new offering I Speak Because I Can boasts a slightly more frequent display of poignancy. With many production techniques being taken from boyfriend Marcus Mumford’s neck of the woods, Marling leads her more mature vocals through a far wider range of folk inspired meanderings. If the question ever loomed that this girl was a flash in the pan, then let this album answer that question abruptly. The album serenades you through a list of songs; some seen before on previous EPs – ‘Rambling Man’, ‘Blackberry Stone’, ‘Maid By Maid’ and ‘Alpha shallows’. All are far more upbeat and bordering on euphoric in this new recording, these are a wonderful set of new renditions, which were much needed.

However it’s been a while since Marling’s first offering of a record, and the lack of tracks here makes you question what’s taken her so long. Although all ten songs are superbly crafted efforts, it does beg the question that there may be more in Marling’s armoury in terms of prolific song writing. There are talks in the air of a third album before the turn of the year, and perhaps she is saving herself, not wanting to peak too early. The highlight of the album is undoubtedly the haunting and spine-tingling ‘Alpha Shallows’. This track, along with ‘Hope in the Air’ is serious business and the bastard twin of debut album’s ‘Night Terror’ and ‘The Captain and the Hourglass’. This long-awaited album needed these songs, as they bring the whole record beautifully to life with an intensity that is not to be seen on any other track here.

Although short, I Speak Because I Can is a mature and solid second effort from the reigning queen of folk. In fact, it could be said that she has succeeded in reinforcing that title for the 2010 year. There are obvious influences from close touring partners, but what would a 20 year old Marling be, if not easily influenced by peers? Despite perhaps not having the massive impact of her debut album, I Speak Because I Can may just be a case of giving us what we have become used to with Laura Marling, for this is a grand effort from a truly wonderfully talented young songwriter.

7/10

The Tallest Man on Earth

The Wild Hunt – album review

Dylan, Dylan, Dylan. That’s all you hear these days when a new folk artist arises from the undergrowth. The truth is, very few of those comparisons are worth the backslapping or the hospital. Swedish-born Kristian Matsson aka The Tallest Man on Earth may be one of the few folk artists bursting with raw talent who actually blow away the cobwebs and live up to the hype. Dylan never had this effortless ability on guitar, did he?

Bursting with Americana-influenced meanderings, TTMOE’s second album, The Wild Hunt, is so full of refreshing hooks that you could sit listening to him and his guitar, in a 1960s time warp, for hours on end. You never even get bored or even want to compare him to any other artists, past or present.

Following up on his acclaimed debut album, Shallow Grave, Matsson could have been forgiven for becoming complacent. Shallow Grave was such a superbly crafted collection of high quality songs, one might think there may be some filler left over for the recording of The Wild Hunt. Not the case. This album is full of – dare I say it – an even more rounded and well-chosen set of tracks. Stand out songs include the brisk ‘Burden of Tomorrow’, the endlessly summers ‘Drying of the Lawns’ and the head-nodding ‘King of Spain’.

Who thought a recording of one man and a guitar could hold your attention for so long, could be so exciting. It’s a testament to this man’s ability, voice and never-waiving ear for a standout song. Buy this album.

4/5

Band of Skulls - Live at the Talking Heads, Southampton

After a whirlwind year of near-constant touring, Band of Skulls return to their native Southampton as conquering heroes, whilst throwing in a blistering show for good measure.

So, the time so many people have been waiting for has arrived. Band of Skulls are back in their native hometown - back where it all started. Yet, before the nostalgic Talking Heads becomes inevitably packed to the rafters, Audio Addict has the exclusive pleasure to watch them sound check, and have a beer and a chat with them to boot. Let us tell you one thing– these guys have a special aura about them, they are the real deal. “That sounded good, but we don’t want to peak too soon, this is a big gig for us” says Russell Marsden of the sound check, walking into the dressing room, visibly animated and excited by the prospect of this evening’s coming events.

Having gone from playing club nights in their hometown to touring America, with a few gigs in Moscow and Tokyo in between, the music of Band of Skulls has travelled from Southampton to iTunes at breakneck speed. The hook-driven “I Know What I Am” was single of the week on iTunes in April 2009, and exposure of their track “Friends” on the Twilight saga’s New Moon soundtrack has also helped things along nicely. You could say it has been a good year for the band. They return to their hometown as conquering heroes, exhibits of fame and fortune to the lesser privileged, proof that local bands really do make it into the big time.

Having confessed to playing the Talking Heads “Over a hundred times”, the band return to their first ever and favourite venue, yet are still humble enough to hang with old friends and acquaintances before the show. “We’ve been touring now for a whole year, playing out almost every night.” explains bassist Emma Richardson before the show. “I think we’ve had about 2 weeks off in total since last April including Christmas, so it’s been a pretty hectic year for us.” Guitarist Russell Marsden continues, “This feels like the end of the tour because we’re back in town. But no, tomorrow we’re back off again, we’ve pretty much moved into our suitcases. But it’s good for a band to do that, because touring so constantly and playing in so many different countries has given us a chance to get our show together and make it work consistently.”
With three songwriters in the band, BOS have access to endless melodic possibilities, and their album and honed live show sure is an exhibition of that fact. “We all write separately, and the rule is that we’re not allowed to finish a piece of work until we’ve all had our say on it,” explains drummer Matt Hayward. Emma continues, “We have quite a healthy competition between us; we all kind of want to outdo each other in the song writing stakes.” Russell finishes, “Often it’s the case that I’ll write a song, and Matt will completely strip it back, steal the intro, and write another song with it. I think that it’s good that we are able to bow down to the better ideas.” Their live repertoire certainly shows off this fact – as each song is crammed with hooks lush harmonic overtones, we feel like we are dragged back in time on the end of every blues lick, every warm valve-overdriven chord, and it’s a pleasure.

As for the show itself, wow. Never before have we witnessed such unashamed support from local bodies, never before have I experienced such anticipation before a gig in Southampton. With steam rising from the audience, tonight this is the place to be - the atmosphere is electric as the guys take to the stage, and from the first track it’s clear that they mean business. However, it’s not a case of gloating, mutual backslapping and showcasing what they’ve become - Band of Skulls simply let their airtight live show do the talking, they just simply let rip, no holds barred. It is pure Rock ‘n’ Roll. Raw, badass, sexy, and melodic. At times it’s euphoric and powerful foot-stomping bliss; at others it’s whimsical and unkempt. At all times it’s brilliant, with the duo vocals from Russell and Emma reaching some spine-tingling moments in standout tracks “Fires”, “Patterns”, “I Know What I Am” and “Honest”.

Band of Skulls repertoire reads like a who’s-who of classic rock/alternative influence, yet each live song is wax-stamped with their own unique identity and a modern twist. This is certainly one to lock away in the memory bank. As the deafening gig winds to a boiling close, the cauldron that the Talking Heads has become is awash with exultant shouts of “We did it! We did it!” from friends in the front row –they are right, Band of Skulls did it, and they did it with style.
4/5