Album Reviews

Laura Marling – A Creature I Don’t Know (Virgin B0056ZJL5Y): Laura Marling made an award-winning mark with her last album, I Speak Because I Can. Armed with her acoustic guitar and not much else, the Hampshire-born singer-songwriter set herself apart from acts such as Mumford and Sons and Noah and The Whale on the nu-folk scene and established herself as a force in her own right. Alongside the bold and beautiful moments in her third album, such as Night After Night, are the more cheerful, lighter pieces, such as jazz-touched opener The Muse. Once again, Marling has proven herself to be a prolific and imaginative musician. JG

Ed Sheeran – + (Atlantic B004XZDT60): After Ed Sheeran exploded onto the music scene this summer and camped out in the top 10, there was considerable pressure on this album to live up to its mighty expectations. After The A Team and trying to keep up with the incredible pace of You Need Me, I Don’t Need You, there’s no doubt this is a great debut, which delivers an inspired mix of gospel, rap and lyrical tracks. A musical and talented story-teller, Give Me Love and Drunk are stand-outs telling personal stories, and truly show off this cool, shy guy from Suffolk. EH

The Kooks – Junk Of The Heart (Virgin B0053FP1PQ): Brighton rockers The Kooks return for their third album, which is mainly a soaring, upbeat affair. The title track is a jaunty slice of pop magic, while Taking Pictures Of You is a charming tune. Time Above The Earth is a quirky little gem, while How’d You Like That is also an impressive effort. However, over the course of 12 tracks, the chiming guitars and cheery harmonies can become saccharine, and the tone seemingly bland and lacking in grit. While singer Luke Pritchard croons “No more Mr Nice Guy...” to close the final track, the opposite is actually true. Slightly too nice all round. SM

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Patti Smith – Outside Society (Sony Music B0057FWSQ2): Punk poet and singer Patti Smith’s impressive career to date is summed up nicely in this compilation of singles. Opening with her punk reimagining of Van Morrison’s Gloria from her debut album Horses and closing with Trampin’, a torch-style ballad from her 2004 album of the same name, it shows off Smith’s versatility as a songwriter and artist, and takes in highlights including her biggest hit Because The Night. All tracks have been digitally remastered. A helpful introduction for newcomers to her diverse and visionary career. LW

Mahler – Symphony No. 9 (LSO Live LSO0668): I have not always shared Valery Gergiev’s view of the Malher symphonies, but this final instalment is outstanding. Perfectly paced, the maudlin sadness that has become fashionable in this death-laden score is swept away. Quirky moments are never overplayed, but the dramatic outbursts in opening movement and the third lack nothing in excitement. Only in the final moments, taken dangerously slow, does Gergiev point the inevitable end of life. The London Symphony are in superb form, the engineers producing stunning sound in the wide mood swings. DD

Rode – Violin Concertos Nos. 3, 4 & 6 (Naxos 8.570767): Violin students will recognise the dreaded name of Pierre Rode and his teaching exercises. Less is known of his concert music that rivals Paganini in fiendish virtuosity and audience-pleasing melodies. In three finger-knotting concertos comes the remarkable German violinist, Friedmann Eichhorn, his show of technical brilliance in the fast finales mixing with warm and lyrical central movements. Rode’s robust orchestral role is admirably filled by the Jena Philharmonic with Nicolas Pasquet conducting. Fervently recommended. DD

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