Bat For Lashes - Two Suns

Bat For Lashes's second album, Two Suns, doesto it perhaps but the voice again excels.
not disappoint. Anybody who enjoyed Natasha3. Moon and Moon is a slower piece, eerie but
Khan's first offering Fur and Gold is sure to likeexquisite, with moody piano accompaniment.
this though the artist has moved things on with4. Daniel is so simple and dreamy, well chosen as
less emphasis on acoustic folk and much more ona single.
electro-pop. This is no commercial sell-out though5. Peace of Mind has a choir backing and tribal
and the atmosphere is still dark and moody. Iffeel, absolutely stunning.
Two Suns suggests more light then don't be6. Siren Song has soft beginnings that build in
fooled the songs are still steeped in nocturnaltension to a great climax.
doings and ages past.7. Pearl's Dream is another intense number with
Bat For Lashes is a bit of an enigma. There'sclever vocals and clapping.
shades of 60s/70s pop, a touch of Celtic folk, a8. Good Love is a smouldering love song with
dose of Goth, a bit of opera and a slightly biggersimple vocal, talking in places, and organ
dose of ethereal electronica. The result is musicaccompaniment.
that is impossible to pigeon-hole. Comparison with9. Two Planets has a tribal feel with effective
other artists or styles is not easy. I've seenclapping and drumming, sounds like something,
others mention Kate Bush, Tori Amos and Bjork,which would be sung round Stonehenge.
but they are all more firmly in the real world that10. Travelling Woman is one of my favourites, a
Natasha Khan seems to have transcended.simple ballad which would have single potential and
There are eleven excellent tracks on the album.I could see it getting covered at some stage,
1. Glass shows how versatile the Khan voice is,gives me goose bumps.
effortlessly going up and down the scales and11. The Big Sleep is different again, operatic in
blending in beautifully with guitars and percussion.style but intriguing and enjoyable, is that really
2. Sleep Alone is more folky, a slight Clannad feelScott Walker accompanying on vocals?