Anticipate Laura Marling's fifth LP: Short Movie.

enjoyed this more than the last few but her accent continues to annoy me too, makes me trust the record less somehow

It's at its worst on the spechgesang tracks, Strange and Gurdjeff's Daughter, when she does that weird singsong intonation that sounds like Tom Verlaine with terrible hiccups.

i don't mind those bits that much though, she sounds like tanita tikaram on those.

also gurdjieff's daughter sounds kind of like sultans of swing by way of the smiths, knopfler's stock is on the rise

I definitely thought of Dire Straits when I heard that one.

Not as great as Eagle and Creature but I am still enjoying it a lot so far. It might grow on more more than I suspect (like Marling usually does).

On my first listen now and this feels kinda transitional, like she's trying to figure out if her next step should be Laurel Canyon-y folk rock or if she should stick with that sort of thick, rich, booming acoustic sound of her earlier records (which I thought reached tour-de-force level with Once I Was an Eagle). Certainly going from some of the slicker material on this record to "Howl" is kind of a jarring experience.

I still really like the title track.

A few songs on this are in her pantheon of greats: Gurdjieff's Daughter, Short Movie, I Feel Your Love, Howl.

"gurdjieff's daughter" is pretty astonishing

be wary of being given a name / if for some reason you're not considered the same / once they name you / they have been known to / lock you in

Yes! I love when she does that specific intonation.

It took me a few listens, but I'm starting to like this.

Is the rest of this album as good as Gurdjieff's Daughter? I've never really been that taken with LM but that song is incredible.

Gurdjieff is one of the strongest tracks on there; but more or less, yeah.

Saw her last night at the Institute in Brum; which is quite 'intimate' for her. The polite-white crowd were pretty subdued, but it was a good gig. She came on during the support act to sing backing vocals, wearing what looked to be Simon le Bon's blouse from the "Planet Earth" video.

I just bought it an hour ago anyway, thanks though

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hnKz9rlna4

slightly misjudged video for "gurdjieff's daughter" imo unless she's meant to seem like an annoying manic pixie etc who keeps bothering her friends who are trying to read their books or hang out in peace

the album just keeps getting better though, she's so good at highlighting her best lyrics with melodic twists

I made myself listen to this. I think she's great, but I am not that into the type of thing she does, so I had to make myself. I'm glad I did. "Gurdjieff's Daughter" is a standout, partly because her normally distinctive phrasing is even more distinctive there. Watching the video for the first time now and I noticed the kids are drawing enneagrams. On the strength of "Gurdjieff's Daughter" alone I think I need to give Marling much more attention. The only previous song of hers that I liked in a big way was "Devil's Spoke."

I think I'd be happy if she went more rock-oriented, although it just depends on what she does with it, obviously.

When I read people talking about her American accent, I thought: I don't hear any American accent. But I wouldn't, or maybe I would if it were poorly done and affected?

I may be crazy but some of the phrasing is reminding me of "Bette Davis Eyes" of all things. Not saying there is much overall similarity.

Intro. reminding me of some other song, but it's escaping me.

slightly misjudged video for "gurdjieff's daughter" imo unless she's meant to seem like an annoying manic pixie etc who keeps bothering her friends who are trying to read their books or hang out in peace

I don't know exactly what she's going for, either lyrically or in the video, but it seems to fit as a cartoonish version of Gurdjieff badgering people into wakefulness. At other times it seems more like she is an embodiment of things the people in the house are trying to ignore.

As long as I'm making ridiculous comparisons, I also keep thinking of this (where her faces, and Brit in California image, are concerned). Terrible rip.

(A Laura.)

"Consider" is a Fourth Way term of art, but she doesn't appear to be using it that way in her lyrics. Not sure what she is going for there.

(Opening is reminding me of HAIM's "Honey & I" though I can't say it's very close, listening to them back to back.)

On the other hand, a lot of people are going overboard with the Sultan's of Swing comparison.

- the damn "'"

I think this is her best and most consistent album so far. Despite the tagline about this being her electric album, my favorites on this are the acoustic tracks, for the most part.

Is the rest of this album as good as Gurdjieff's Daughter? I've never really been that taken with LM but that song is incredible.

― nate woolls, Tuesday, April 28, 2015 6:42 AM (6 months ago)

OTM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCS4OTgaHeM

A very nice surprise.

(Maybe someone should start a thread for the new album.)

song's fairly good, strings are promising; concept is a bit less so

I like the fact that it is as much of a change in direction as it is, but I agree it's more solidly good than amazing.

Also, I didn't expect her to have a new album in the works so soon.

It seemed like she was looking for a different approach on the last album, but I was expecting that to mean rocking harder. So this is an interesting curveball.

New single's groove reminds me of an understated Fiona Apple. Gorgeous track.

Currently feeling: the delivery of the line "I need soothing..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EUdZFcq-QE

I think I like this more than "Soothing." I'm looking forward to the new album.

The second single is so good yeah. I'm much more excited about this one than the last, which I liked but never really properly connected to as with her others

http://www.npr.org/event/music/515736349/first-watch-laura-marling-next-time

Really enjoying the new one and how concise it is. "Nothing, Not Nearly" reminds me of Nina Persson's solo work, which is never a bad thing.

The album is beautiful, in particular "Next Time" and its strings which seem to endlessly unfold

"the valley" also devastating in its stillness

Good points :) can totally see why Blake Mills (producer) is also working with Fiona Apple, similar little theatrical touches here and there.

Semper Femina has knocked me out, what a gorgeous album
I generally liked her before, I never heard the last one, but this is really hitting me
great production, between this and the new Mark Eitzel it's nice to hear some records that are produced so well

I really dislike the way her voice lurches up when she sings "you can't come in, you don't live here anymore". It disproportionately bothers me given it's one of the first things you hear on an otherwise excellent album.

Kinda feel like she was in danger of becoming one of those artists who becomes less engaging as they mature artistically and the move towards Laurel Canyon-esque folk rock on the last few records hasn't really done it for me but this is great. Sounds amazing on good headphones as well.

yeah this is great, I need to hear her last couple albums. I kinda tuned out a while ago for no good reason

where to start with her? heard a more trance-like minimal acoustic-leaning kind of one on the radio which i liked then listened to one of her albums and it was more rock-y than i thought it'd be

Once I Was An Eagle = trance-like and acoustic

Short Movie = more rock oriented

Both are very good though

new one is pretty but i don't like the tapping/drum machine lots

she also sing-talks in a british movie lady accent on this one, so i guess she's been shaking the seeping americanism people were noting ca. 'eagle'?

Has anyone listened to LUMP? I didn't even realize this came out until right now. Seems good so far.

I'm amazed this new one seems to be flying under the radar. Listening to it, I keep thinking it reminds me a lot of Hannah Peel, and turns out Peel plays trombone on it, so go figure. It's nice to hear Marling trying out a new direction.

the single I've heard was nice, totally forgot the album was out as well