2008 Woodie Awards
Bat for Lashes: "Fur and Gold"
CD Review
David Stelzmuller
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Entertainment
The first thing that comes to mind listening to Bat for Lashes debut album "Fur and Gold," is singer Bjõrk. Natasha Khan, the voice and creative force behind Bat for
Lashes, channels the same otherworldly sound while singing, but that is about as far as
the similarities between the two artists go.
Khan's stripped down songs often rely on
merely voice, a single instrument, and clapping or stomping to transport you to the
imagined Shangri-la she creates with her music.
Her songs, "The Wizard" and "Horse and I," are perfect examples of the supernatural
storytelling she weaves into her music. In fact, the song "Horse and I" came to Natasha
in a dream in which she "is woken by a black horse at the window and sent on a fateful
quest." This dream largely mirrors the lyrics of the song, the lyrics then benefiting from Natasha's ethereal voice.
The protagonist woken in the night, rendezvous with a magical horse and is taken on a quest by the horse to find the golden headdress worn by "the chosen one."
Harpsichord, an eerie saw, strings, and finally a snare drum moving the song along purposefully and effectively create the atmosphere of the song.
The album is not all witches, warlocks and mysticism though. The song, "What's a Girl to do?" clearly expresses the anguish felt when love and desire fade from a relationship that has lasted too long. The spooky paranormal atmosphere that may be lacking in the lyrics, make their presence felt by the meandering harpsichord throughout the song and the accompanying music video replete with men on bicycles in oversized animal masks.
Then there is the ballad "Sad Eyes," that falls in line musically with more common pop
ballads, but sets itself apart with Kahn's lyrics. Almost acting as a refrain to "What's a Girl to do?" the song "Sad Eyes" puts the singer in the position of not being able to connect to whom she is singing to, but despite all the odds, still loving that person. The feeling Natasha expresses while singing this song make the feelings it conveys so much
Lashes, channels the same otherworldly sound while singing, but that is about as far as
the similarities between the two artists go.
Khan's stripped down songs often rely on
merely voice, a single instrument, and clapping or stomping to transport you to the
imagined Shangri-la she creates with her music.
Her songs, "The Wizard" and "Horse and I," are perfect examples of the supernatural
storytelling she weaves into her music. In fact, the song "Horse and I" came to Natasha
in a dream in which she "is woken by a black horse at the window and sent on a fateful
quest." This dream largely mirrors the lyrics of the song, the lyrics then benefiting from Natasha's ethereal voice.
The protagonist woken in the night, rendezvous with a magical horse and is taken on a quest by the horse to find the golden headdress worn by "the chosen one."
Harpsichord, an eerie saw, strings, and finally a snare drum moving the song along purposefully and effectively create the atmosphere of the song.
The album is not all witches, warlocks and mysticism though. The song, "What's a Girl to do?" clearly expresses the anguish felt when love and desire fade from a relationship that has lasted too long. The spooky paranormal atmosphere that may be lacking in the lyrics, make their presence felt by the meandering harpsichord throughout the song and the accompanying music video replete with men on bicycles in oversized animal masks.
Then there is the ballad "Sad Eyes," that falls in line musically with more common pop
ballads, but sets itself apart with Kahn's lyrics. Almost acting as a refrain to "What's a Girl to do?" the song "Sad Eyes" puts the singer in the position of not being able to connect to whom she is singing to, but despite all the odds, still loving that person. The feeling Natasha expresses while singing this song make the feelings it conveys so much
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