Natasha Khan's debut album as Bat for Lashes, Fur and Gold, was so vivid and fully realized that it was a tough act to follow: she found ways to make her wildest flights of fancy into music with the immediacy of pop and the intimacy of a singer/songwriter's confessions. It takes a lot of ambition to pull off that kind of alchemy, and that ambition defines Two Suns. Khan's sounds and visions are even more widescreen here, full of pristine electronics and heady concepts, and Scott Walker, the undisputed king of high-concept music, duets with her on the ultra-theatrical finale "The Big Sleep." Since Bat for Lashes' songs practically burst with characters and ideas, a concept album seems like a logical next step for Khan's music, but the magic her songs had previously feels dissipated this time around. Two Suns revolves around Khan's "desert-born spiritual self" and her "destructive, self-absorbed, blonde femme fatale" alter-ego Pearl as it covers "the philosophy of the self and duality, examining the need for both chaos and balance, for both love and pain, in addition to touching on metaphysical ideas concerning the connections between all existence." That's a lot to pack into just 11 songs, and it's not always entirely clear just what they're about, despite motifs like "blue dreams" that run through them. Some songs are just plain overdone: "Traveling Woman" and "Peace of Mind," with its tribal rhythms and gospel choir, aim for majesty but end up dragging. Others use the album's posh polish to make an impact, like "Glass" -- on which Khan hits some amazing high notes -- and "Daniel," which nods to the poppier side of her music. The directness that made Fur and Gold's modern-day fairytales so enchanting and moving is often missing, and nothing on Two Suns is as musically or emotionally immediate as "What's a Girl to Do?" or "Sad Eyes." However, the subtler spells Khan casts with hypnotic tracks like "Sleep Alone" and "Moon and Moon" eventually reveal their beauty. And as Two Suns unfolds, it gradually shifts from overt attempts to dazzle listeners to focusing on Bat for Lashes' greatest strengths: Khan's voice and her considerable skills at telling a story and setting a mood. Pearl may be the album's dark side, but she's responsible for some of its best songs. "Siren Song" sets her seductive false promises to dramatic pianos, while "Pearl"'s Dream," with its battles and kingdoms, is classic Bat for Lashes. "Good Love" reaffirms Khan's way with bruised ballads, and "Two Planets"' pummeling beats and swirling voices make the mystical power the rest of the album reached for crystal-clear. Ultimately, Two Suns is nearly as graceful and poetic as Bat for Lashes' best work; it's just that the album's massive concepts and sounds require a little more time and patience to unravel to get to the songs' hearts. It's clear that Khan's talent and ambition are both huge, and for her to slightly overreach is better than not aiming as high as she can.
"Listen to What You're Missin'" is a series of posts consisting of four tracks each week, giving you an updated look at new music. This week I explore some of the artists I discovered at San Francisco's Outside Lands, and well, the Raveonettes.Portugal. The Man: "People Say"Described as the best band you probably still don't know, Portugal. The Man is a band you should, and soon will know. Afte...
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Bat For Lashes is the stage name for Britain’s Nastasha Khan. I’m actually quite familiar with Bat For Lashes despite not being the biggest fan. I was a fan of the song and video – What’s A Girl To Do but I didn’t really like the album Fur and Gold (here’s a review in [...]Related posts:Snow Patrol – A Hundred Million Suns Review Snow Patro
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Also posted (and more pleasantly presented) at In Review OnlineBritish singer/songwriter Natasha Khan’s debut album as Bat for Lashes, the acclaimed Fur and Gold, probably set the bar unfairly high for Khan’s future endeavors. The album was regarded by many to be among the best of 2006 and was nominated for the 2007 Mercury Prize, vaulting this previously unknown artist to the indie A-list
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Two suns, the the second album from Bat for Lashes recently released and despite my seeing that most reviewers enjoyed this album ladden with duality and all that concepty stuff I have problems. Yes the album has that duality feel but her lyrics aren't amazing and I don't think that's ever been the point with her or at least my reason for liking her. Her mainstay is her voice and the talented b...
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Ms. Natasha Kahn is clever. Cleverer than you and I because it was she, Ms. Lashes herself, who had the damn fine idea to get New York’s Yeasayer to contribute bass and programming to her second album. Together they have managed an album of seductiveness, with something of the night…
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Love that darkling, glam vibe put forth by Bat for Lashes' leading light Natasha Khan - a techno-dappled chanteuse/poetess for the 21st century in the spirit of Tori Amos, Siouxsie Sioux, and Björk. It's all there in the second Bat for Lashes album Two Suns, which was unleashed (unLashed?) in Khan's native U.K. on April 6 of this year.Two Suns may be a bit more on the folk-rock side than Khan's..
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"Love Is Free (Sh-pah sh-pa sh-pa Feel Good)visual excitement by Exper G. R. http://exper.3drecursions.com/(check it!)
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The new Bat For Lashes single 'Daniel' is out now and is available to buy as a download from iTunes.Audio only;..Two SunsRELEASED 06/04/09 (That's April in UK speak...)1. Glass 2. Sleep Alone 3. Moon and 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.http://www.batforlashes.com/
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Ms. Natasha Kahn is clever. Cleverer than you and I because it was she, Ms. Lashes herself, who had the damn fine idea to get New York’s Yeasayer to contribute bass and programming to her second album. Together they have managed an album of seductiveness, with something of the night…
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From June 15 2009, the incredible Natasha Khan aka Bat for Lashes performs *7 SONGS* from 'Two Suns' and an interview too. It also has a complete version of 'Moon and Moon' which was cut short on transmission due to time restrictions. Enjoy...I sure did.
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Am I the last person on the boat with this wonderful voice?One of my friends posted 'Daniel' somewhere online a while back and I can't remember who it was (but I will wager it was either Katie, Drew or Tara), but I loved the song and for some reason that was that, I didn't get around to researching any further.I just previewed Two Suns and am totally in love. It also helps that she has covered ...
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yo whats good Pigeons and Planes, I'll be posting here every now and then while Confusion is away. How approipate that my girlfriend Natstaha Khan from Bat For Lashes has her latest video from Two Suns,the art school make-out jump "Pearls Dream".PigeonsandPlanes
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Bat For Lashes (Natasha Khan) plans to tour North America starting April 25th in Toronto. This will be in support for her new album Two Suns which will be released April 7th. The tour dates seem scattered (gaps in the schedule), so expect more dates to be added. We’ll update you as soon as she [...]
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Here is the official visual for Bat For Lashes new single "Sleep Alone". Off of their *Two Suns* album which you can purchase HERE!Pigeons and Planes
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Two suns, the the second album from Bat for Lashes recently released and despite my seeing that most reviewers enjoyed this album ladden with duality and all that concepty stuff I have problems. Yes the album has that duality feel but her lyrics aren't amazing and I don't think that's ever been the point with her or at least my reason for liking her. Her mainstay is her voice and the talented b...
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The video to current single “Daniel” taken from the forthcoming Bat For Lashes album Two Suns. The video was directed by Johan Renck & filmed in Sweden.Bat for Lashes | Myspace | Tour Dates | Buy
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Bat For Lashes performed "Daniel" on Jimmy Kimmel Live on 6/24. Check it out below:(Download Bat For Lashes's album Two Suns on iTunes here)
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Bat For Lashes performed "Sleep Alone" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on 8/11. Check it out below:(Download "Sleep Alone" on iTunes now!)
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Natasha Khan, aka Bat For Lashes , is set to release her new album Two Suns on April 6th, but because this is the Internet and all, you can listen to it now. Song titles like "The Big Sleep," "Moon and Moon," & "Peace of Mind" reflect the tranquility that flows through each track. Simple but sweet, Two Suns sounds like some sort of peaceful, secret place that only Khan or Pocahontas know ab...
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Bat for Lashes - Daniel (Live on Letterman)Myspace
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Glass |
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| 2 Sleep Alone |
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| 3 Moon and Moon |
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| 4 Daniel |
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| 5 Peace of Mind |
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| 6 Siren Song |
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| 7 Pearl's Dream |
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| 8 Good Love |
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| 9 Two Planets |
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| 10 Travelling Woman |
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| 11 The Big Sleep |
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Click to purchase…
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 "Two Suns")
