Fur and Gold

by

Bat for Lashes

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Bat for Lashes is the one-woman band of Natasha Khan, a UK singer song-writer of Pakistani origin. If you aren't familiar with her sound, imagine Bjork meets Joanna Newsom meets Kate Bush with a splash of Dido even. I'm not entirely sure where I found out about this, it's either my 17 yr old daughter or internet-only station WOXY, but no matter, you are in for a delight.

"Fur and Gold" (11 tracks, plus 1 bonus track; 49 min.) is the debut album of Bat for Lashes. The opener "Horse and I" is a harpsichord-and-drums driven song, setting the table. "Trophy" is a quiet but threatening song with the ever-returning line "Heaven is a feeling I get in your arms", just beautiful. "What's A Girl To Do" (2nd UK single) is one of the more 'upbeat' tracks on the album. "Sad Eyes" is a beautiful piano ballad. "Prescilla" (1st UK single) is the most immediately accessible track of the album. "Bat's Mouth" is another slow-burner, with lush violins. It all leads up to the last track of the regular album, a 7 min. haunting "I Saw a Light". The bonus track is a (single B-side) cover of Bruce Springsteen's "I'm On Fire", and a textbook example of how a cover should be done: completely reinterpreted yet recognisible, just perfect.

This album was originally released in the UK a year ago and is now, slowly, finding an audience in the US. Natasha Khan is a talent to be watched. I have been completely mesmorized by "Fur and Gold". This is not an album you'll play in a hurry. Relax, settle in, and play this. I bet you'll be mesmorized too.

I heard this group on KCRW in Los Angeles and they were fabulous so I ordered both of their albums only to find that they were over produced and didn't have nearly the energy that I heard in that live radio performance. If only I could have that KCRW set on CD! Anyway, in my haste to order the first two albums I evidently didn't separate my orders between two sources and ended up getting two of "Fur & Gold" from Smogtown Records when I only wanted one. Amazon said simply send the extra back for credit. Well, I'm so lazy I haven't gotten around to filling out the form, sealing the envelope and mailing it. I'm thinking maybe I can find another fan and give them my extra copy. It just isn't worth the trouble to send something back. That said, I couldn't have been more happy with the condition of the CD's or the prompt reception of my order.