Bat For Lashes - Two Suns (2009)

“I feel like I’ve been shot up into the stratosphere”, claims Natasha Khan aka Bat For Lashes. She sure is cosmic!

Actually, Bat For Lashes is Bjork-lite. There’s nothing particularly amiss with Two Suns. Her second outing is just as topped with moody melodies as Fur And Gold. It’s just that a listener would only choose this record if they lacked the bravery to embark upon Bjork’s far bolder and involving LPs.

Lashes delights in tales about “crystal”, “orbit”, “spirits” “watchmen” and “suns”. And that’s just in the first song. She pushes her fantasy preoccupation obviously and with little nuance.

On “Moon And Moon” her voice is reaching for the emotional jugular. On “Siren Song” her voice is reaching for the emotional jugular. On “Good Love” her voice is reaching for the emotional jugular.

Two Suns strongest tune is “The Big Sleep”, which features Scott Walker’s croon vocals as guest. It’s stark and bleak. “How can it be the last show? No more spotlights coming down from heaven”. The piano is lifted from a funeral.

Two Suns is filled with by-the-numbers ominous harmonies, sealed with angelic vocals.

Bat For Lashes is plagued by a Better-Version-of-Me, her name is Bjork.

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