The crowd goes crazy as the Karate master whispers in Johnny’s ear, “Sweep the Legs.” What happens next? Movie magic! Ralph Macchio, broken legs and all, crouches like a crippled hawk and defeats the evil villain Johnny in the Karate Kid. At that moment Natasha Khan was hooked. So much so that she dedicated a song to the great Karate Master Daniel LaRusso.Bat for Lashes kicks their way to the peak of musical mastery, winning the coveted Artist of the Week.
Khan is Bat for lashes and while this band may not be for everyone, she is certainly an artist that knows her niche. Thom Yorke, of Radiohead, loved her so much that he asked her to open for them on a recent tour through Europe. So if Yorke likes her, then who I am to question a genius!?
As I mentioned before, Bat for Lashes is not for everyone. She has a very deliberate way of singing and her music can be very ethereal. I liken her to a clash between Tori Amos and The Cure (circa the Seventeen Seconds- Faith era). Speaking of the Cure, Khan does an excellent tribute to the king of Goth by re-making one of their biggest hits, A Forest. Truth be told, I am a HUGE Cure fan, so I am very picky when it comes to Cure covers. But from an insanely huge Cure fan, this is an above excellent cover song; so much so that I named it as their best song.
Khan has released two albums under the Bat for Lashes name.
Her first release, Fur and Gold, is a good album, but it is not for the casual music listener. I actually like it a lot but I must admit that the organs and the dark mood of the album can be a bit of a downer. There are some platinum hitz on that album, like her first single, “The Wizard.” Khan also had the foresight to name a song after our very own Sara; Khan just put an “H” to disguise her feelings for ETS, but we all know the truth! Other notable tracks on the album are “What’s A Girl To Do,” and a Bruce Springsteen cover of “I’m On Fire.” For her newest release, Khan has the same type of mood but it is better disguised.
Two Suns was released in April of this year. This album sounds much like The Cure’s Seventeen Seconds. Khan did not stray too far from the formula and stayed true to her sound. Two Suns is an excellent album that all our readers should discover. Khan has a very dark, almost mystical-sounding voice that is undeniable. I’ll go out on a limb and predict that this album will be on most reputable lists of the top albums released this year. Please discover this very talented singer by following the links provided below.
Aside from their two albums, Bat for Lashes have released many singles and added b-sides, so there is a lot material to peruse through! Although this artist may be a hard sell at first, with time she might grow on you! As an added bonus Khan is drop dead gorgeous, not that it is important, but maybe it’ll just get me a date! Khan will be in Los Angeles on August 31, 2009 at the Fonda, so that gives all our legions of fans enough time to get tickets to that gig. If you go, remember: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon can combat the elusive Karate Kid Crouch! Or if you’re too scared, just crawl inside our shell!
Top 5
1. A Forest (Daniel- single)
2. Sarah (Fur and Gold)
4. Siren Song (Two Suns)
5. The Wizard (Fur and Gold)
Helpful Links
Sweet Dreams (Eurythmics Cover)