Bat For Lashes - Two Suns [CD]

Parlophone

April 13, 2009, 04:33 PM

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Ever since 2006's critically acclaimed debut album 'Fur and Gold' Natasha Khan has consistently been held up against either Kate Bush or Bjork. On first listen that is a fair approximation of the Bat For Lashes sound and one could see why so many would come to these two artists for comparison. However to my ears over time I have discovered that ms Khan has much more in common with Elizabeth Frazer of The Cocteau Twins (most famous for providing the vocals on Massive Attacks 1997 hit 'Teardrop'). The timbre of her voice and the way she can shift faultlessly between such subtle and histrionic vocal styles is truly captivating and really sets her apart as one of our countries most interesting female vocalists. Indeed as well as proving her vocal talents in abundance Two Suns confirms Natasha Khan as one of this country’s most ambitious and intriguing songwriters. It also cements the reputation of David Kosten (otherwise known as 'Faultline') as a borderline genius producer, the whole record feels like a complete work, everything is perfectly balanced and every song has at least one genuine 'wow' moment. Khan's melodies appear to be unbound by classic pop convention and more often hark back to folk and classical music, these delicate melodies really compliment Kosten's arrangements and dense, reverberated textures. Sonically the only other record of this year I could compare Two Suns with is The Animal Collectives 'Post Merriweather Pavillion', there's not quite as much going on here granted but the hazy, dreamlike state it induces is near identical. At it's heart though this is a pop record bursting at the seams with melody and invention.

The single 'Daniel' should really tell you everything you need to know, it's the most immediate thing she's recorded yet and contains one of the most memorable chorus's I've heard in months. However it's sparse oddly karate kid indebted dream-pop might be considered a red herring when you compare it with the other 10 tracks here. The most immediately striking track is the opener 'Glass', a song that bursts out of the gates with melody, ambition and intent. Khan's glacial voice sits almost alone for 30 seconds before a wave of tribal drums and distant guitars join the party as the track gently builds to it's climax. There is so much going on in the track you'd think it would be all a little much, the haunting, bjork-like melody and constant tempo keep it grounded though, It's a perfect opener. Next comes the comparatively sparse 'Sleep Alone', a more electronic song that repeats it's forlorn lyrics and simple melody over a stuttering bass and exotic string instruments like a post modern sea shanty. The chorus introduces a more modern synth line that sounds like something off The Knifes 'Silent Shout' album, in fact the similarities to the Swedish duo crop up later as well in a more avant-garde setting with the aching darkness of 'Two Planets', a track that really stands out on an album otherwise full of melody driven songs. Here rhythm and atmosphere take centre stage and it shows a different side of Khan's personality.

'Moon and Moon' is a song I remember hearing last year when I saw Bat For Lashes opening for Radiohead. It struck me then as a particular highlight of her set and here it sounds just as strong with a pounding piano and groaning strings pulsing behind the records most emotional and exposed vocal performance. The chorus is truly heartbreaking, it might bring to mind MOR american songstress Sarah McLachlan but there's a tenderness and lyrical integrity here that's resolutely british. After the afore-mentioned single we arrive at the albums most old fashioned sounding song 'Peace Of Mind', a song which could almost be an ancient gospel standard were it not for the trippy lyrics ("To hover bored into the sun, Come back when my time is done, A mother for this childless world, An arrow of light for every boy and girl"). In fact here is as good a time as any to touch on the albums lyrics which in this case are a particularly strong suit. The wistful, dream-like atmosphere the music creates is backed up wonderfully by lyrics which are cryptic yet reveal hidden depths over time. The album is supposedly a concept album regarding a split personality of Khan's known as Pearl, and it's on 'Siren Song' that we first come face to face with this doppleganger. It's the most powerful thing I've heard this year, the booming piano provides both the tracks chord progression and it's rhythm as everything around it comes crashing down to earth in beautiful, ecstatic agony. This intense, towering, self loathing epic almost brought me to tears. it could be for that very reason that the next track 'Pearl's Dream' never really connected with me, it's a much more straight-forward electro-pop song and is the least inspiring thing on the record. That's not to say it's a bad song, it's just in such grand company here that it suffers by comparison. 'Good Love' however has no such worries, the hushed delivery really brings out the poetic catch in the lyrics and the chorus shows a sensual edge to Khan's song-writing which works in tandem with her onstage persona (a kind of sexy, hippy pocahontas in case you were curious).

The penultimate 'Travelling Woman' recalls PJ Harvey's softer side with it's strident piano chords and solitary snare drum. It's one of the albums most straight-forward moments and might be the best track to prick the ears of the uninitiated. Another beautiful, ambient pop song on an album stuffed to the gills with beautiful, ambient pop songs. Of course being the Scott Walker fan that I am (yes I even love 'The Drift'), the highlight of this record has to be Khan's pin-drop duet with the dark one himself on closer "The Big Sleep". Accompanied by just piano the two voices weave a beautiful tapestry, they really do compliment each other perfectly, so much so that I myself would be well up for seeing a full albums worth (ala Robert Plane and Alison Krauss). It's dramatic yet subtle and that our Natasha manages to hold her own up against such a legend really vindicates her tremendous talent. Two Suns is an exceptional record and Bat For Lashes are an exceptional act.

Tracklisting

1. *Glass*
2. Sleep Alone
3. *Moon & Moon*
4. *Daniel*
5. Peace Of Mind
6. *Siren Song*
7. Pearl's Dream
8. *Good Love*
9. Two Planets
10. Travelling Woman
11 *The Big Sleep*

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