Once I Was An Eagle
by Laura Marling

From RockyRaccoon TOP 100 COMMENTER 07/09/2013 19:49 | #80719 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

This album is just impressive. First of all, it’s sixteen tracks long, which is certainly ambitious for a folk album, and, perhaps even more ambitious for a folk album, it’s somewhat of a concept album. It’s not a concept album in that there’s some kind of running theme throughout the album, or some kind of story that’s being told, but it’s divided up into two pretty distinct parts. The first seven tracks on the album are slow, somewhat introspective songs that all kind of blend in together, having virtually no break between songs, one song flowing right into another. The apex of this part is certainly “Master Hunter" where things start to get really loud and then a powerful ending with “Devil’s Resting Place" before you get a breath with “Interlude". Then, after that, things get happier, much happier, and the album starts to sound more like a modern-day Joni Mitchell album than anything else.

It’s really solid, a well-written, well-played album. Very sparse, instrumentally, but the instruments placed in by producer Ethan Johns are specifically put in at the exact right places, whether it be strings, organ or drums, they’re all meticulously placed to create the right sound.

Probably her best so far. A bit long, but generally manages not to drag. Maybe needs a stand-out track or two, which I think it doesn't have...

A surprise gem, the first of Marling's full lengths that feels like a whole experience rather than a collection of youthful ideals off what music should be. The flow between songs and different rhythems are seamless and divine, and it's an album that knows exactly when to be implosive and dynamic as well as when it should be sparse and tense. The overall concept may be a bit vague despite a lot of detail, but even if it's not quite a truly great album, it's proof positive of a maturing talent who can turn her musical prowess and many songwriting ideas into an engaging and often mesmerizing album experience.

From NickVolos TOP 100 COMMENTER 01/08/2015 20:02 | #131085 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

One of the year's best. Clocking at more than an hour yet not a single note out of place.

Hadn't heard any of Laura Marling's work until now, I only knew that she was initially a member of Noah and the Whale. All I can say is that I'm genuinely proud of her, leaving a quaint indie pop band and creating something by herself that's more than spectacular. It's not a revolutionary album by any means, by a great listen through that holds together very well and covers almost all great. A round of applause.