Whether or not it’s your first encounter with Marling her ability to narrate a story through her music has always been a draw. On A Creature I Don’t Know Marling supplements her songwriting skills with dynamic arrangements. Where we found beauty in the sparseness of just a voice and a guitar, we now find it in the musical ride of these constructions. We were tipped off with the song “Sophia,” which preceded the release of the new album. From the whispery first verse, the song unfolds into a sprawling full band occasion. It’s easily her most appealing and dynamic moment as an artist.

And much like her aforementioned musical counterparts (Mumford & Sons), there is an almost anthemic effect to this music. Similar to “Sophia,” songs like “My Friends,” “The Beast” and “All My Rage” rely so much on momentum, they just swell to captivation. On A Creature I Don’t Know Marling is grasping her potential and listeners with each song.

CD OF THE MONTH: NOV 2011
A Creature I Don't Know

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