The latest reviews from Kevin Bryan.

Bat For Lashes, "The Bride" (Parlophone)-Natasha Khan's innovative approach to music-making is captured in all its otherworldly glory as her alter ego of Bat For Lashes unveils this utterly compelling concept album. Khan's work has been variously compared to everyone from Kate Bush to Tori Amos and Siouxsie Sioux and the London born singer and musician is certainly able to conjure haunting musical landscapes from  the ether  as she recounts the tale of a particularly tragic wedding day and its aftermath via captivating ditties such as  "Close Encounters ," "In God's House" and  "Never Forgive The Angels."

Paul Tortelier / Robert Veyron-Lacroix, "Bach : The Sonatas for Viola da Gamba" (Erato)- This eloquent vehicle for the consumate artistry of cellist Tortelier dates from the far off year of 1963 and finds the great French musician working in tandem with harpsichordist Robert Veyron-Lacroix as the Gallic duo immerse themselves in the works of J.S.Bach. The three sonatas featured here weren't originally conceived with the cello in mind but in Tortelier's hands they made the transition with effortless ease, with  Veyron-Lacroix's vast knowledge of eighteenth century music helping  to lend an air of Baroque authenticity to the proceedings.

Girlschool, "Take A Bite" (HNE / Cherry Red)- This South London quartet  were one of the more tuneful outfits to emerge from the new wave of British heavy metal during the late seventies, and although their fortunes were seriously flagging by the time that "Take A Bite" appeared on the scene  a decade or so  later the contents represented a pleasing throwback to the energised and  aggressive musical stance which was such a feature of their earlier output. Late lamented Motorhead frontman Lemmy co-wrote the album's stand-out track, "Head Over Heels," and the girls also served up  a fine cover of Sweet's "Fox On The Run" alongside newly minted creations such as  "Action" and "Up All Night."

Greenslade, "The Birthday Album - Live Switzerland 1974"(Angel Air)- This distinctly low fidelity offering  captures the stylish prog rockers' performance at Prilly in Switzerland  on  keyboard ace Dave Greenslade's 31st birthday,  in what was destined  to be the last known live recording made by their original line-up. The band were always a little shaky in the vocal department but their appreciative Swiss audience  didn't seem  unduly concerned about this as they  were regaled with some choice extracts from  Greenslade's first two Warner Brothers albums, including  "Pilgrims Progress," "Sundance" and the title track of their finest long-player, "Bedside Manners Are Extra."