Bat for Lashes - Fur & Gold
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Free Music Notes for Fur & Gold
Free Music Review: Desite the name...
Hit: 4 Stars
which managed to keep me at bay for quite a while, this turned out to be a reasonably enjoyable debut. Upon repeated listenings, however, I did find some of the lyrics more than a trifle cringeworthy. It's as if she's reaching for the same childish faerie-musings as the likes of... say Cocorosie, but there's definitely a less expressionistic and more literally mapped quality to some of the yarns that might fare better in the hands of a more accomplished lyricist. Instead, in my opinion, they come off sounding occasionally prosaic and forced, milking the magic from the mare, as it were. On the other hand, I do find the arrangements and instrument choices supremely blissful, and her voice manages to effectively carry her somewhat pedestrian sense of mysticism. However, for love of all the boys and girls out there who refuse to trade in musings of glacial palaces, fire-hooved steeds and winged-tiger saviors for a life of mindless wage-slaving for the marketed "perks" of capitalism...I give this offering a 4. I do highly recommend Faun Fables (Mother Twilight or Family Album) or Cocorosie as a no less magical complement to this album.Free Music Review: Nice mellow melancholic
Hit: 4 Stars
I just listened to Sad Eyes on WBER. She a has a very nice reflective sound. Free Music Review: bring on the nerd rock.
Hit: 5 Stars
That's right - nerd rock. Anything dropping lords, ladies and wizards into its lyrics this much deserves such a classification. That being said - I love it. The arrangements are original, incorporating harpsichord and strings into unique, lush sounds. I could do without the spoken word internal dialogue-style stuff on "What's a Girl to Do?" (think Hermione from Harry Potter grown up and lamenting her fickle heart). She also seems to have what some might call an unnatural obsession with bats, mentioning them in nearly every song. But it works somehow - joining the lords and ladies and wizards for a thematic, dramatic good time.
I adore "Prescilla," and having grown up on Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run," Bat for Lashes' cover of "I'm on Fire" makes me so very happy.
If you like Feist, Cat Power (especially Moon Pix and the Covers Record) and New Buffalo, you should check this girl out.
Free Music Review: The Greatest Debut Album since Fiona Apples' "Tidal"
Hit: 5 Stars
This is right up there with the greatest albums of all time : and my list of those include only about twelve albums, some of which include Tori Amos' "Scarlet's Walk", Rufus Wainwright's "Poses" and Fiona Apple's "Tidal". If you're a fan of those albums, then by all means, this would be a definite 'blind purchase'.
In 2007, I was instantly bewitched by only two releases - Rufus' "Release the Stars" and Tori Amos' "American Doll Posse". Half a year since the release of that Tori album its woefully clear that its already sounding dated (an immense let-down for her) but the Rufus album still sparkles as brilliantly as it did upon first listen. Around the same time I came across young Natasha Khan and her one-woman 'group' Bat for Lashes. Someone who is a huge Kate Bush fan suggested I get it, and boy am I glad I did.
Before you read any further, please note that I am extremely picky when it comes to my favorite albums of all time. Many people have often been bewildered at my musical tastes (which run from Debbie Gibson to Bjork, Incubus to Lifehouse), but there are only a few albums that I count as being "my all time favorites". Prime criteria for this would be if an album sounds better to me upon repeated listen, rather than boring me to death.
With that in mind, I can happily report that "Fur and Gold" sounds better with each listen. Intricate harmonies, sparse melodies and very haunting and memorable choruses abound throughout. This is a very classy affair indeed, bringing to mind the wonderful "Homogenic" by Bjork, and "The Kick Inside" by Kate Bush. In fact, many of the song structures and thematic motifs are reminiscent of Kate Bushs' "The Dreaming" album as well. One thing that separates Bat for Lashes from Tori, Bjork and Kate though, is the fact that her singing ability is very unique, and that she pays more attention to melody. Her messages may not be as relevant or hard-hitting say as Tori Amos, but the production is definitely better than most of Amos' recent output. She also brings to mind the same essence that Bjork sported on her first three albums ("Debut", "Post" and "Homogenic"). If you've been disappointed with the recent Bjork material, do check this album out.
What I liked about this is that despite being very similar to all the artists mentioned above, the artist has a style all her own. She almost defines what 'cool' is all about, the same way Vanessa Paradis does on her new album "Divinidylle". And thats what its all about. If an album can rest on my Ipod with plays of each song at least twice everyday, then thats an indication to me that the artist is one of my favorites, and that the album is stellar.
Anyway you cut it, this is a fine slice of alternative music perfection. Forget Joanna Newsom, Bjork and Devendra Barnhart - Bat for Lashes is the real deal.
Five Stars.
Free Music Review: A Perplexing Adventure
Hit: 2 Stars
The contents of this album are as baffling as the name of the featured vocalist. Odd drumming and ghostly vocals pervade the tracks which are largely plodding and uninvolving. Sounds like some American Indian drug trip as experienced by an alt engenue. Interesting but skippable.