Laura Marling I SPEAK BECAUSE I CAN

“What makes her so special? The answers are vulnerability, versatility and voice. This sophomore album displays all these qualities in good measure. It is an incredibly mature set of songs containing a number of latent classics and potentially the best female voice I have heard since the young Joni Mitchell. Sorry if you think this hyperbole but with talent like this why be measured?”

“Overall what is noticeable are the many echoes of Dylan on this album. The powerful opener ‘Devils Spoke’ has that driving acoustic propulsion and lyrical flow that underpinned ‘It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only bleeding)’ - a bracing and exuberant start. A later powerful song ‘Hope In The Air” reeks of Dylan era ‘Bringing It Back Home.’ ‘Made By Maid’, a gentle ballad could be a riposte to Neil Young’s ‘Man Needs A Maid’ and then we are into one of the real highlights ‘Rambling Man’ with resonances of the Joni Mitchell from the era of ‘Court And Spark’ kicking in.”

“Laura Marling has recorded a beguiling and timeless second album and the transition from a teenager to a major artist has been achieved in three short years. Who knows what she can deliver in the future but here we have singer where emerging comparisons to singers like Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell are already possible and where perhaps we should worry less about her private life and more about her mercurial talent. ”

“I cannot find fault with the album. It is excellent; a step forward from her debut. Laura sounds more assured, more confident in her abilities as a songwriter; you can hear it in her voice and delivery. The album is a beautiful collection of songs, each brilliant in its own right. ‘Rambling Man’ and ‘Darkness Descends’ are catchy examples of great folk-rock, while the ballads are exceptional. My only issue - and it is a slight one - is that ‘Alpha Shallows’ and ‘Blackberry Stone’ were released as b-sides previously. With another album rumoured for release later this year, I can only hope that she keeps writing songs of a similar quality.”

“This album is slightly “darker” than her debut album, more mature and just that much better. It’s full of grace, vulnerability and beauty, and really just gets better with each listen.”

Ed: Certainly one of the UK’s better and more distinctive female singer/songwriters, and a brave, honest album that deserves attention. 4/5

Scorpions STING IN THE TAIL

“What a way to finish your career. Scorpions really they have to reconsider their decision because here we have a great rock masterpiece. I am sure this album will become a Gold album, no questions asked. This album features the amazing 80’s rock vide and it borrows a few heavy elements from their previous album (Humanity: Hour I).”

“I can’t believe a band this awesome will not be making any other albums after this. I just couldn’t believe it when I read about it. Bands like Scorpions need to be around and make true rock music! We need this more than ever!! It’s so heartbreaking to know this. I really hope they will change their minds and continue on.”

“Fantastic send-off from the teutonic heroes of metal. The album is hard, heavy, & melodic. Highlights include, ‘NO LIMIT’, ‘RAISED ON ROCK’ ‘TURN YOU ON’, ‘LORELEI’…think CRAZY WORLD MEETS 1984’s LOVE AT FIRST STING with a slight modern twist. This is pure SCORPIONS, don’t expect an overnight sensation, this album takes time to grow, but in my eyes this is a sign of it’s quality. Is it their best? No, is it worth it, ABSOLUTELY. It’s a stronger record than Humanity or Unbreakable and probably their best since FACE THE HEAT. Buy IT, love IT and GET STUNG.”

Ed: Certainly the best rock record released so far in 2010. Love the alternation of electric rock and sublime acoustics. Love it! 4.5/5