The Sensual World

Finally found the least weird Kate Bush album, and it's pretty enjoyable for the most part.

I liked it, can see what the appeal was to the Stranger Things kids

rocket's tail is a neat tune

I love Kate Bush now. Second album her I've gotten and boy are they some great albums. Could see this not being for everyone, but definitely is for me!

2/5 not for me

Sterk 3

Ok

Everything just sounded the same.

Very happy to get a Kate Bush album today. This is one I’ve heard before, but not as much as The Dreaming or Hounds of Love, and I’d rate it comfortably below those two. That’s not to say it isn’t a gorgeous album. The title track and This Woman’s Work are the two I was most familiar with. 24 hours isn’t enough time to rediscover an album. This one is playlisted and will get its due. For now 4 stars.

85

Aye Kate, this was hard!!!!

Different but I am not really a fan of Kate Bush's singing style in this album

This doesn't have "Running Down a Hill" on it. Top track: "The Fog"

--The Sensual World...cool production. a lot of cool things happening --Love and Anger...something primal. good stuff --The Fog...beautiful orchestral arrangement mixed with some tasteful electric guitar or is that electric violin? both? who cares it's very compelling. her great voice, too --Reaching Out...she goes all out with her voice. it rocks. --Heads We're Dancing...she throws a knuckleball with an off-kilter beat. don't like it as much as earlier tracks but this may take multiple listens to truly appreciate. gets pretty funky by the end --Deeper Understanding...lots of things happening again. it's a big swing but it's not hitting for me --Between a Man and a Woman...another cool track that maybe has one or two ingredients more than what's required. a little too chaotic --Never Be Mine...powerful ballad --Rocket's Tail...an odd start eventually blasts off. what a wonderful weirdo --This Woman's Work...she deftly strips this one back. her piano, her voice, and some light backing vocals. very nice

Favorite songs: The Fog, Reaching Out, Heads We're Dancing, This Woman's Work 2.5

5/10

best kate bush album on here

Nice, but forgettable; no standout song for me

Better than The Dreaming at least. Kate Bush has influenced a lot of my favorite artists, yet I still don't care for her. I feel like this 3rd album from Bush wasn't really needed, let someone else have a turn (same with Neil Young and his 13 appearances). If you want something along these same veins, check out The Walking by Jane Siberry. I adore that album, and heard smatterings of it on this record, yet this record didn't resonate with me

I had a whole thing prepared about how the whole world is gaslighting me about Running Up the Hill being a big deal in the 80s. I’m a high devotee of 80s culture and I’ve never heard that song before Stranger Things came out. But really that song isn’t even on this album so it’s not really that important to mention here. This album is pretty good.

Kate Bush fucking slaps man. That's two albums and two 5 star ratings from me. The songs have GIRTH and intention. I'm drawn in to every track even when I haven't heard them before. Bold instrumentals and the jazzy iconic vocals - can't get enough.

Much more dramatic and emotional than some of her other albums, but also a more consistent, smoother album. Lots of fun! Highlights: "Love and Anger", "Reaching Out", "This Woman's Work"

Leuk, opzwepend

♥️♥️

This was my first time listening to Kate Bush. I knew the name, I was around during her heyday, but I never actually heard a record until now. This was great. At first I thought the tempo was too fast for her vocals but then the pace slowed a little and even got a little funky with Heads Were Dancing. Glad to check this off the list. I will have to listen to more. 4 stars

I have a deep respect for Kate Bush but i found this album not that appealing… Good album but not all that for me!

Not one I'd heard before, brilliant album.

6/10 - Not vintage Kate Bush but still some crackers here

Interesting Celtic influences in the opening track. She's definitely a bundle of talent, it was an objectively good album, but her style isn't my go-to.

Proto Bjork

A voice like no other, and Kate's not afraid to use it. The arrangements are weirdly nostalgic in their epicness.

It's a vibe!

some really cool moments of almost droney alt rock but perhaps a lil TOO witchy for my taste

TLDR, Kate Bush whines in various pitches for various lengths of time, accompanied by various musicians.

5.5/10

Interesting, but it does not really catch my attention.

J'ai préféré ses albums fuckés.

Mon pref à date, j'adore le mood oriental.

C'est don ben bon voyons. Quelle voix incroyable, avec du range.

Had a lot of fun with this one

Nice album

Not feeling it. Not terrible.

Ah. Another Kate Bush album. I quite liked the overall musicality of this album, but really I don't care for Bush's vocal all that much.

4/5

Not much that stood out outside of This Woman's Work (nice Joycean surprise in The Sensual World though, especially since I just finished rereading that work very recently).

Latter half is better

This was much better than anticipated. We’ve all heard Running Uo That Hill, either from back in the 80s or more recently because of the Stranger Things resurgence. Other than that, the only thing I’ve known from Kate is her partnering with Peter Gabriel on Don’t Give Up. Just didn’t know what to expect. Fortunately, what I found was a series of good tracks. What’s interesting about it, though, is that it was the song structures that I enjoyed more than her voice. It’s just to airy for me. Still, this was a worthy listen, with some songs I would come back to. 4 stars.

One of the reviews said this was Kate Bush’s most accessible album for new listeners. If that is the case, I can definitively say that she is not for me. Man that was bad.

I’m hearing a lot of the same themes in this Kate Bush album that we heard in the last one; Kate can sing but her songs aren’t very good. The album isn’t bad, but her music does nothing for me.

There are many people who love and appreciate Kate Bush‘s music. I am not one of them. This is the soundtrack to White privilege.

Whoa, this is not what I was expecting. Well, the album kinda is what I expected, what I wasn't expecting was how deep I would be drawn in and how much I would enjoy the experience. Kate's voice is amazing. Dynamic and enchanting. The music has unique elements that are interesting yet never distracting. I was able to settle into the mood, remain in the moment and savor each piece. Kate's talent and maturity on full display. This is a beautiful album.

So weird, so good. Mad scientist of witch pop

typical Kate bush, not one of her better albums, still nice though

goood

Again, Kate Bush is a piece of marvel, her albums are a full visual, sound, emotional, dreamy experience. Definitely doesn't vibe with my grumpiness.

I bought this album on CD when it came out but haven't listened to it in years. I was wrong, this is still a great, atmospheric album (This Woman's World probably being my favourite song) and Kate Bush a really creative artist. Reaches the 5* threshold for me!

Idk overrated as fuck in my opinion

El álbum en sí no me terminó de cerrar, pero tiene 3 o 4 canciones buenísimas. Tanto que me costó elegir una para la playlist. 5/10

The title track and This Woman's Work are the stand outs. Also, David Gilmour.

I think this is Kate Bush's most "accessible" album for new listeners. I'm speaking for myself, of course, because it was only after listening to this album that the rest of Kate Bush's wonderful discography started to sound good to my ears. She's not an easy artist to understand. 5 stars

***A good easy listening album

I believe I like this album more than the Stranger Things record. Rocket's Tail, jesus what a song! Give me cold shivers!

2/3

Is it Hounds of Love or the dreaming? No. Is it still the eccentric Kate Bush that keeps me engaged? Yes. Rating: 7/10 Favorite Song: This Woman’s Work

I enjoyed this but can't say it blew me away. Influential and suspect it's one that requires a few listens

I like some Kate Bush songs but this album didn't do anything for me.

I didn’t get into this one as much as I did her earlier album.

File this one under "some interesting, enjoyable stuff but can't see myself returning to this too often." Opening and closing tracks were the standouts for me.

Jamais écouté avant. Top : Love and Anger Flop : Between a Man and a Woman

Listened to this on a run, while watching Catching Fire. Hmmm maybe shouldn’t count as a listen.

Interesting - I enjoy Kate Bush's voice, but sometimes don't want to hear it for an entire album. I did download the first song to my library, however.

Been meaning to listen to more Kate bush albums and this didn’t disappoint

No me gustó. Valoro algunas letras avanzadas para la época, pero me pareció aburrido y muy artístico. Está bueno como banda sonora para alguna película pero no lo elegiría para escuchar diariamente.

Recently indoctrinated into the candlelit piano coven of Tori Amos by my esteemed compadre, I’m suddenly receptive to a peculiar frequency of estrogen-fueled psychic warfare. What was once a lane I would’ve dismissed as melodramatic white-girl nonsense seems to be opening a forgotten door in my mind, revealing some variety of subconscious bisexual occult cabaret. Church bells ring. Kate exhales a lustful little ghost into the microphone. Foreplay begins. Hot wax. Rolling sweat. Warm breath tantalizing the back of your bean bag. Sensual indeed — I’m about to slide out of my chair. Then the Celtic pipes arrive to slay my boner like granny entering my bedroom with folded laundry. "DON'T LOOK AT ME!" That push and pull defines the record. It lures me into bed with a raised eyebrow, then fills the room with tribal drums, ancestral spirits, damp earth, and several generations of unresolved female agony. The sensuality isn’t merely sexual — it’s the whole miserable catastrophe of inhabiting a body. Desire, vulnerability, memory, fear - everything sweating and farting beneath the same cursed duvet. Slow, quaking rhythms drag your hollow carcass uphill by the ankles. Strings tighten around the ribs. Voices gather like woodland spirits around a stone altar, deciding whether to heal you, sacrifice you, or feed your soul to the moss. It’s epic, vulnerable, discomforting, and exhausting — a low-turbulence flight beneath a sky quietly tearing itself apart. Put this shit on at a party and someone’s crying mascara into the carpet while some dude with a fedora and a boa constrictor explains why monogamy is colonialism. And yet, I can’t turn away. Kate believes in this bizarre universe so completely that even the irritating parts serve a greater whole. Beneath the mysticism is what I’ve always demanded from music: identity, conviction, and emotional violence. Tori opened the door. Kate is dragging me through it by the ankles... which I'm into, for the record.

Walking into the Kate Bush arena with a massive Tori Amos-sized chip on my shoulder… please allow me to explain. As a decades-long Tori Amos fan, I’ve heard the comparison of Tori Amos to Kate Bush time and time again. I’ve spent some time with Kate Bush over the years, but I never heard the on-the-nose similarities until diving into The Sensual World of Kate Bush on repeat. I was taken aback by the ease at which I found myself imagining Tori Amos singing instead of Kate Bush, song after song. The lush drama, the soaring songbird vocals, the esoteric lyricism, the piano. Instead of flatly rejecting Kate Bush in my misguided defiance of Tori Amos’ superiority, I found that listening to The Sensual World broke down my defenses and compelled me to embrace both. Why did I have this hard line set in my mind that I couldn’t like one if I LOVED the other? Great fuckin question. I don’t think that way about literally any other artist or band, and I’m happy to have the freedom to release my grip on the Kate vs Tori dilemma. I got love and respect and room for both. Kate Bush is a delightful weirdo, A fairy-like-thing haunting in the forest, flitting through the fog. I’m happy to welcome into my selective collection of weirdo sad art girl music artists. Fav Tracks: The Sensual World, The Fog, This Woman’s Work

This Woman's Work is still a gem.

I loved what I imagined this album would be more than I enjoyed the actual album.

Nah, not to my tastes. Too precious and 80s banal electronic crap. A bit better than the dregs of ABBA/ELO crap; still, not going into my (a bit of everything) library. I draw the line at collecting most "pop music" despite the generally great reviews. Well, not here. 2 "can't go here" stars.

6 - AVERAGE

First time listening to any Kate Bush album, and I didn’t much care for it. She has a strange vocal style that is hard for me to describe; it’s kinda like Dolores O'Riordan but not Irish and the music is worse. There were a couple of decent interesting tracks, but the bulk of this record didn’t connect with me at all as it was almost experimental in nature. Not an album for my tastes. 2/5

I know Hounds of Love is the critical darling but Kate Bush has such gorgeous songwriting and even the deeper cuts are intricate and stunning. This album came after Hounds and feels a little less mystical, a little more in the real world (or perhaps the sensual world). This Woman’s Work brings it to a fitting end.

I think I needed to be in a Kate Bush mood for this one and I wasn’t. There’s good music but it’s not exactly easy to connect with. I find Hounds of Love much more accessible and enjoyable.

An album I liked right out of the gate that got better and better with each listen. Have no previous knowledge of her work outside Running up that Hill and I'm very glad this list has given me the space to explore it. This album has a mystical ethereal vibe brought by the vocals, backing harmonies and bass. Then you bring in a deep drum backing to set up this big room sound and finally add the guitar and piano for some of my favorite stylistic moments that give the songs a lot of personality. Her vocals would be the issue as sometimes it can squeak and pop in distracting ways but I think it all works in the sum of its parts, has a Gabriel energy that I am partial to. I expect to see many of these songs come back to me on repeat listens in the future.

I hear so much sample potential. But with all due respect, this record is just not for me... (2.5/5.0)

Luxurious. Elegant. Genius.

the kick inside does more for me than this album but this was still atmospheric and strange and beautiful

yum

Not a fan of this. I felt like I was in a terrible dream and couldn't wake up from it.

It was nice having Dave Gilmour on the guitars here, but this was ultimately a shrug of the shoulders follow up to a classic. I like the strings all over here, but the album is very generic in comparison to Hounds.

Don’t love it, it isn’t bad though!

Love and Anger is her best track, and the others on this album don’t disappoint. What would we do without you?

i have no particular skin in the game when it comes to Bush. She seems fine and i enjoyed her more famous album, however another seems overkill. This passed by with her usual vocal charm bur it didnt have the hooks to raise this beyond average.

I think this album showcases her voice and creativity the best. Ahead of her time for sure.

Love weird pop music, so I enjoyed this, even if got a bit too '80s for my taste at times. Reminded me a bit of Bjork (which is great!), and it's definitely influential in the pop world today. Favorites: The Sensual World, The Fog, Heads We're Dancing, Never Be Mine

Always respect Kate Bush more than appreciate her. Her artistry can't be denied, a true and rare visionary in the popular music space. But rarely do I actively want to sit down and listen to a Kate Bush record for some reason. However, I am always thankful when I'm given an excuse to and live in her world a little while. Do wish her artistic peak came in an era that was so beholden to the production trends of the time. But what can you do.

3/5

Yes yes yes yes yes yes what a voice what an artist what an album. Not even the best she’s got. Incredible. The Woman’s Work might just be the best album closer of all time. 5.0/5.0 Best Song: The Woman’s Work

It is so good, she is my favourite songwriter ever i think. The sensual world, The fog, reaching out are all incredible tracks, but imagine writing this womans works. Don't think i have ever not cried at that song. Such a beautiful and powerful album

An ethereal angel wandering vocally around the song. Music isnt my jam but I would listen to her read the phone book.

Listening session: july 9th, while getting ready in the morning Listened to before: no Thoughts: I find Kate Bushes music always a bit weird, but not in an unpleasant way. Not something I would come back to regularly, but from time to time this is nice Favourite tracks: Love And Anger, Reaching Out & Never Be Mine

Holy hell. I LOVE this.

Minus 1 star for all the reverb effects.

This album is completely new to me. My goodness, this is excellent. Kate Bush is special.

I kinda like Kate bush! Not enough to repeat her albums but enough to not skip.

Kate Bush requires multiple plays to get beyond her high voice and hear the music behind it. I realized how similar it sounds to Peter Gabriel due to the Fairlight CMI and world rhythms used in the 80s. Sensual World is great. The strings in The Fog are nice. Heads We're Dancing with Mick Karn on bass is good. Trio Bulgarka on Rocket Tail and other songs are interesting.

Good, but nothing can top Hounds of Love.

What else is there to say except, it's Kate Bush... She created her own style that was 100% genuine, artistic, but also so easy to listen, digest, and feel on so many levels.

Yesterday I wrote after listening to Little Earthquake by Tori Amos: “if I want to listen to Kate Bush, I listen to Kate Bush.” And I did. This is so much better and far more original. Such great album. And still urgent.

I know that Kate Bush is very important in the music industry but listening to it nowadays is just not THAT enjoyable. I assume it was a lot more exciting back in the day. Overall, it's okay having it in the background.

Really impressed, I really liked Woman's Work and Rocket's Tail. Easy 4 stars.

Very ethereal, but none of her best songs are here.

This was merely fine. Not her best stuff

You ready for some blasphemy? Some of this stuff is so just kinda boring

Pretty good! Loved the 80s vibes and Kate Bush is always so whimsical sounding. Fave on album was Rocket's Tail.

Like stepping into a time machine set to '80s Gothic Prom. I found myself fully immersed in its moody, layered world. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - The Sensual World - Love and Anger - The Fog - This Woman's Work

Kate Bush has a beautiful voice, and the piano playing on here is quite good. I appreciate some of the eclectic sounds found on here, but I'm not hearing any memorable melodic hooks, rather melodies seem to meander. This was nice but not something I’ll come back around to.

This is my first exposure to Kate’s music beyond Running Up That Hill, which had such a huge comeback and boom in popularity, particularly with my generation, when it played a pivotal part in the show Stranger Things in 2022. That song is wonderful and well-loved for good reason and after listening to this album it seems Kate is just an amazing artist if this is anything to go by. She is a creative in her element here, producing all of her music herself at this point and pushing boundaries in doing so. Her fun production, performance on the keys, and her vocals blend in such a cool way on each track, ever dynamic. Her vocal talent and performances complement exceptional storytelling as well. This album was pretty accessible but had some more avant-garde moments sprinkled in as well, highlighting Bush’s creativity, such as the soaring bagpipes in the opener, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, who was instrumental in discovering Kate, performing an experimental guitar part throughout Rocket’s Tail, and the Bulgarian Trio Bulgarka featuring prominently with their powerful, haunting vocals across the record. This was a great introduction to Bush and I’m definitely looking forward to hearing more. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Title Track, This Woman’s Work, Rocket’s Tail

Expectation: -> Looking forward to this. Peripherally aware of Kate Bush (Running Up That Hill). After listening: -> KATE BUSH! Now I'm a fan. Didn't take long to be honest and I'm not all that surprised. This is a musical style I've enjoyed for years. Can't really explain my lack of interest to date except that time is limited. Going to be difficult to move on to tomorrow's artist. Track ranking: Woman's Reaching Love Deeper Never Rocket Sensual Man Heads Fog

It's good, not great, kind of what I expected

top

I do love that the kids have made Kate Bush a thing again, although hopefully not just for that one song.

Great album flow. Not my favorite Kate Bush album.

I checked my phone without my glasses and thought the song Reaching Out was called Researching Owl. Strange name for a song but remember, this is the artist that barked for most of the song Hounds of Love, so who knows. I propose on the next edition of the book, give one or two of Kate Bush's three slots to Sarah McLachlan. Similar-ish enough and it would save all of our ears some wear and tear.

Bevat vitaminen A t/m Z

meh

Banqué, especialmente “love and anger” el resto bien, pero no me llegó a convencer mucho el disco. Quizá lo volvería a escuchar, pero no creo.

Such an interesting sound; I know she’s divisive. I like the tone of her voice but somehow there’s something that happens with some of her consonants that sounds, I don’t know, wet? It gives me the cringe the way I might when someone is eating and talking at the same time. Feels bad to focus on this, but I had trouble getting past it in certain songs. If it weren’t for this, I’d probably have given this a 4.

Wish I could give it 2.5 but i was just straight up not interested in this. Sounded like a 41 min long song so points for continuity

The Sensual World - 3.5/5 Love And Anger - 3.5/5 The Fog - 3.5/5 Reaching Out - 4/5 Heads We're Dancing - 3/5 Deeper Understanding - 4.5/5 Between A Man And A Woman - 4/5 Never Be Mine - 3.5/5 Rocket's Tail - 3/5 This Woman's Work - 4/5

Meh

its nice and calm but it was hard to find anything memorable in this album.

Enjoyed the album particularly on second listen. Each song felt like it had something to offer.

I didn't connect with this album. It was fine. Just not my bag really.

Pretty accessible as far as Kate Bush goes. I said multiple times throughout my listen “This is actually really good,” and it is!

🌸💐🥀✨🌙💜

A fantastic art pop classic. Great melody and hooks, but still has that Kate Bush wild abandon. A great album.

She is amazing with words and song. Very good album.

I'm getting a bit of a phil collins vibe here and quite enjoying it. Especially from "Heads we're Dancing". Then you get to "Deeper Understanding" and that song is very poignant in the age of AI. I shall continue to listen and see where the rest of the album takes me. Ended up being quite an enjoyable album. I'm surprised to have not heard any of it before.

Kate Bush is an otherworldly fae cryptid and this album is a ritualistic rite. Those are the vibes I get anyway.

Not bad, but just not for me.

Wasn't feeling this one.

This one was a miss for me.

Talented as she may be, this album is missing the fun of her earlier more eager to experiment albums leaving us with nothing but well constructed adult contemporary boredom.

This is by and far my favorite Kate Bush album. I really am glad that a whole new set of people got to know her music via a very terrible TV show.

a 2.8

lfg, can't wait to re-listen

2.5 - Meh

I really enjoyed this. The instrumentation was varied and Kate's vocals are unique. 3.5/5.

Underrated!!

she's a singular artist!

I need to spend more time with this one. I know she is a deep and thoughtful in her music. I give it a three until I can listen to it more. Someone like this you can't go in blind listening too. there just isnt enough time in the day to grasp this one.

Kate Bush is certainly a trailblazer; a legend... but her music isn't quite my cup of tea.

Didn't grab me as much as Hounds of Love, which is sublime, but this is still a fantastic record.

sounds so old and unique you can just feel the old vibe omdsss, the sensual worlddddd

Unique voice

Great Sunday album

Not my cup of tea but not bad

I really didn't like this!

I’m really not sure about this album, no real highlights here for me, a bit boring

Not for me

There's some adventurous experimentation here that I highly respect, though it doesn't work for me sometimes. On one hand there are songs that are incredible. On the other, there are songs that are boring with annoying singing. All in all it's a 3.5-4/5, which is a shame, because this could've been even stronger.

its really dreamy but not really my shit

Bewundernswerte Künstlerin! "Hounds Of Love" ist mein Favorit von ihr, aber das hier hat mir auch sehr gut gefallen.

amazing album. love kate’s voice and emotion in her music

One to play again.

This was a fun vibe!

Dosta loš album meni osobno, iako volim nju inače. Definitivno not her best work. 2/5, 3/10

Not very good. Her voice is not my cuppa.

It’s ok. Her other album on here is better.

4.75

Wow härlig känsla! 4/5

I almost mentioned Kate Bush in my review of Tapestry yesterday, although I realise I would largely have been repeating the distinction I made between Bush and Amy Winehouse a while back. Carole King's somewhat confessional songwriting is a precursor to Amy Winehouse's explicitly confessional, self-immolatory songwriting. This binary distinction wasn't unique to me. I'm confident it was how female singer-songwriters were largely discussed in pop music, perhaps even to this day, divided into two bins: those who are true to the heart and those who are true to the imagination, that is the plain-speakers and the eccentrics. Thus, while there is not much musically connecting Kate Bush with Bjork say, they are a benchmark against which a certain type of female performer will be judged. Diamanda Galas, though probably considered unlistenable by fans of both Bush and Bjork, is certainly of the class. Although the class distinction is certainly not perfect: Tori Amos is confessional to an uncomfortable degree and that is her eccentric. Joni Mitchell, the exemplar of the female pop musician, straddles both classes, because she straddles all classes just like a colossus must. Still, I stand by the basic premise that there is art of personal truth and art of individual imagination and I favour the latter. And why I think this distinction is so common within discussion of female artists is twofold: a) there have been fewer women pop artists historically and b) I see fewer men that fit the position that I believe Kate Bush fills in the public imagination. The true pop eccentrics - Robyn Hitchcock, Luke Haines, Robert Culvert - aren't sufficiently musical. The virtuosi - Prince (and God to Kate sound like Prince sometimes on this record), Freddie Mercury, too many solo prog-metal performers - are too embedded and embodied in the music for it to be purely imaginal. The obvious answers are people like Bowie, David Byrne, and Peter Gabriel, but I don't buy it. The first two are far too much a part of the art world. They are too aware of media and presentation, never truly indulging in the debasement that Bush and Bjork engage in (The Slipperman aside). Bowie himself admitted that he was an artist first and that he was only a pop musician because that was the popular mass art form at the time he came to prominence. Byrne went to art school too. I believe that, without the other lads at Charterhouse, Peter Gabriel would have gone into advertising. But Kate Bush was a musician first, writing songs at an early age at the family piano, encouraged by Dave Gilmour. Bjork was a child pop star. They are musical artists in a way that I think few of their male contemporaries are: focussed on music as art. Their peers are Satie and Scriabin moreso than anyone in pop music. This may seem hyperbolic. Perhaps even foolish, when discussing The Sensual World, which feels to be Bush's most confessional record in tone. Confessional in the sense that it is lyrically somewhat banal and commonplace. But her trick has always been to find the music in the commonplace as much as in the poetic and literary. The appeal to her in Molly Bloom's soliloquy, for example, was its musicality, its singability and, when she didn't get permission, she rewrote the words to fit the music she felt in them. Music is the final artistic output. I am reminded that, fourteen years later, she would set the number Pi to music, although, notably, she changed a few digits to make it sound better. Rewriting Joyce is nothing so brazen as rewriting god. And that is the artist's task, I think, to gently correct god. Not to improve god, exactly, but nudge god's creation into clearer communication with people. Music does this better than any other art form. This ramble is, I think, my apology to Kate Bush for not giving enough time or thought to The Sensual World - generally and yesterday, on the day it was generated. I have nothing more to give you now than the promise that I will give further consideration and, perhaps, find deeper understanding of this beautiful record. Because all you try to do is make beautiful records. 4 I am half tempted to say we should ‘Did Not Listen’ The Sensual World so I have an excuse to keep listening carefully to it and thinking about it over the weekend. It is an album that makes more demands of a listener’s attention than Hounds (which easily seduces with the bold clarity of its musical ideas) or The Dreaming (which is so weird it’s harder to ignore than attend to). There is a sort of aloofness about The Sensual World in its almost unpalatably rich arrangements (excepting This Woman’s Work, which gains all the more power in its bareness at the end ). Amid the odd wail of those backing vocalists, and all sorts of strings, and harp, and funny bass - I find it’s Dave Gilmour’s guitar bits on Love and Anger and Rocket’s Tail that feel the most unnecessary and indulgently out-of-place. Addition for the sake of it. Decadence. It’s the sort of music that gives you gout. It is very, very good music and one of the best compliments I think can be offered it is that it succeeds in spite of a falling off in Kate Bush’s poetic instincts. The various subjects are arrestingly dramatic, but there is a paucity of really juicy lines. Much of it is shapeless and rambling - Between a Man and a Woman is just a string of banalities, except for the bit about ‘modern western pressures’, which is also the worst bit. Never Be Mine is similar. Deeper Understanding is a good idea for a song but… ‘I was loading a new program/ I had ordered from a magazine/ Are you lonely are you lost?/ This voice console is a must/ I press execute..’ That is bloody awful. Nevertheless, in the singing of near enough everything on this album, Bush is absolutely assured. She can and does set anything she likes to fluent, convincing melody. Often inspired. I like most of the songs on this album very much (including Deeper Understanding). Love and Anger is a favourite. This Woman’s Work bowls me over every time I hear it. 4/5

Meh

3.0

No running up any hills, but this was still a decent album

Not my favorite Kate Bush album, there are better. This Woman's Work is an all time great though. Deserves closer to a 4, but there was some mid songs on this one

I always feel like I should like Kate Bush, but then I listen and there’s just too much pointless warbling.

Oh man, think anyone under the age of 20 had even heard of this artist until Stranger Things resurrected her with Running Up That Hill. It doesn't appear to be on this album, but I'm excited for some 80s music. Let's see what GPT says about this one. This one seems to be all about her voice. I really like that I've been doing this with GPT so I know what to appreciate on each album. I like the way this was described. "It’s sensual in the literal sense: texture, breath, touch, movement, memory, bodies, language, atmosphere." "On this album, she’s more close-up and physical — breathier, warmer, more tactile. The title track especially feels like she’s not just singing about sensuality, she’s letting the phrasing, rhythm, and mouth-feel of the words become part of the sensuality." "Her voice becomes a character, the instruments become scenery, and the production creates this soft-focus emotional world around everything." 4 Stars

This album was piano-driven, soulful-sounding music that at times had a power-pop '80s sound. At other times, it was atmospheric and moody. It wasn't bad (I more enjoyed the darker songs on the second half), but I couldn't immerse myself in it. The '80s vibes are just not something I like very much. But Kate Bush does have a certain appealing charm somehow.

Compared to the last two albums i heard, The Sensual World was certainly heaven. The only song i was really familiar with from Kate Bush prior to listening to this is Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) (and also her collabing with Peter Gabriel on Don't Give Up) but i'm honestly surprised to see that this music feels like the same kind of music that Bjork would go on to make. I can definitely admit that there are some moments of absolute brilliance on this album but i did feel like the album was too airy (for lack of a better word) and ended up being a bit forgettable. It still is definitely a solid listen, just not a great one. Best Song: This Woman's World Worst Song: The Sensual World

Enjoyed this album so much more than I did on my first listen. Coming to the realisation that Kate Bush can do no wrong.

Slightly hurt as the following up from the legendary Hounds of Love and the 4 year gap between albums, Bush is still incredible.

I love how many famous writers and musicians love Kate Bush. Not as good as Hounds of Love, but her talent is undeniable.

tolle stimme, guter mix von kunst und pop.

Kate ist riesig. Dieses Album nicht mein Liebstes.

Terrible voice. Melodies sound like they’re being made up on the spot. Instrumentation is trash and lacks tonality.

kate bush always a banger. love listening to her glide across the instruments. theres a nice timbral variety here, im hearing pads + guitar + plucks, some kind of reed & 808. is it weird to say this instrumental reminds me of the ds pokemon mystery dungeon games or perhaps chrono trigger / earthbound yeah this is great 80s music. big fan of the spoken word sections and the juxtaposing of free rhythm against the rhythm section. listening to this feels lonely, but not in a bad way. like being alone with something, not another person, but some kind of other presence that you are alone together with. jesus christ never be mine does kind of go hard. ms bush why do all your songs sound like vgm highlights: yes. the fog, deeper understanding, never be mine

Nope

i didn't really care for kate bush as a youngster, but over the years i've grown to really enjoy her voice. but i never went beyond Hounds of Love. mistake, this is great.

Just Kate being Kate, innit

This was great! I’d like to listen to it again great vibes great sounds didn’t necessarily stop me in my tracks but not everything has to.

Another one that just washed over me unfortunately.

Clear winners for me were Love and Anger, Heads We’re Dancing and This Woman’s Work. Loved the parts that reminded me of Hounds of Love sound and overall it was impressive. But also got sidetracked thinking about how amazing Cloudbusting is and then wanted to listen to that and was sad it wasn’t on here

I like Kate Bush and I love when she plays silly buggers which she does a lot but there’s something about her. I’d rather listen to someone else sometimes? Where’s Sinead O’Connor? Will she be on this list?

Kate Bush is so much deeper and complex than I ever imagined. I've listened to several of her albums now and each time she's differently brilliant. On the surface, it sounds like typical 80's pop, but if you listen to the lyrics she is so much more than Madonna. Nothing against, Madonna of course, but Kate is on another level. I feel like I need to take some time to dive deep, listen critically, focus, and fully digest her material. Because that's the level of attention it deserves... it's that good.

Great artist overall, but far from my fav album.

Rating: ★★ It's alright. not my style of music. random AH mention for some reason. otherwise, just some 80s piano pop that I find a little too slow for it to catch my attention in a way that makes me want to listen. she has an interesting way of singing.

Two Kate Bush albums so close to each other? Just like the last one - one great song and the rest are okay.

now why in the world would this be the kate bush album on the list ??

I like it very good music please give me more and less stranger things buns trash! She is good when she isn't netflix's favorite artist.

One of Bush's more approachable albums, which is not to say it's easy to digest. The whole thing builds to "This Woman's Work" of course but on the way you get the swelling memory orchestra of "The Fog"

> the Beatles

Another perfect album from Kate. Listened twice yesterday. How can you not love it?

The vocalscalist is quite skilled and I like a couple songs, some guitar riffs, but there isn't much variety in Ms. Bush's music.

Music for grown ups. That's equally a compliment and an insult

I gave "Hounds of Love" a 4 and "The Dreaming" a 2. This album is in between. 3/5

charming, soft, dreamy

I can get behind the musical talent. But also garbage to me

Cool soundscape. Favorite track: this woman’s work other picks: the sensual world, fog, reaching out

I still haven’t fully figured out Kate Bush. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 is clearly thoughtful and carefully put together, but it never completely draws me in. The vocals, the arrangements, the whole atmosphere — it all feels very specific to her world, which I can appreciate more than I actually connect with. There are definitely moments that stand out, but as a whole it still keeps me at a bit of a distance.

muy mistica esta señora, alguna me ha gustado bastante

Pretty good

When I was a teenager I used to hang out at the video store, where the manager had been a manager at a record store before. He put me onto several to several records that were beyond my level at that point: John Prine, Party Griffin, Concrete Blonde and this record. I’ve since done The Kick Inside, The Dreaming and 50 Words for Snow but hadn’t made it back to this album since then, so it was really a trip down memory lane. It hits much harder when you’re older and the actual songcraft is as good as you’d expect from a talent of Bush’s stature. Pretty amazing work.

this was fine, not sure i will revisit

So so great

kind of a bit of a more random kate bush album but hey. all her album are good... nice !

Oh no. More Kate Bush. No. This is as painful as I feared. Reaching out… for that star that explodes… and ends this. God, that would have prevented Heads We’re Dancing. Man, so much talent, so much productive effort, such a voice, and a result that…is awful. I mean I should give it a 3 for effort… but I don’t want to. Unless something better happens this gets a 2. And at the end the best thing I can say about it is that it did, in fact, end. Boolean: no. One Kate Bush album is enough representation. I believe there are three. No. No.

Amazing avant garde Even 35 years later

Pop album. Late 80’s big sound. It necessarily for me, but several good songs. Several others are so-so. The album doesn’t feel dynamic because every song feels big sonically.

So Kate Bush is a musical treasure, no doubt. My life would have been a far poorer thing if I had never heard her Hounds of Love album before I died. After acknowledging that, though, I might question how much MORE value has come into my life specifically through The Dreaming and The Sensual World. They are fine efforts, no doubt, enjoyable experiences. But do they specifically ADD to my appreciation of what Kate Bush has to offer? I have NOT come back to them again and again in the decades since their releases the way I have to Hounds of Love. She's not doing anything notably different on this album than she has already given to the world with Hounds. I mean, 1001 albums is a ridiculous amount and leaves plenty of room for multiple albums by a single artist. And Bush is not even close to the multiple-album artists that I question the most on a list that includes ZERO albums from Warren Zevon. I mean, could anyone seriously argue that someone who had somehow never heard a single song from either of those two artists would be more completely musically educated by listening to Hounds of Love and then this album than they would by listening to Hounds of Love followed by Excitable Boy or Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School?! Obviously, that's an argument with the list and NOT with this album or with Bush herself, who, as I say, is FAR from the most egregious choice in terms of artists with multiple albums present. This album is lovely, and I can honestly say that my life WOULD have been diminished if I had never heard "This Woman's Work." Simply sublime.

nice singing, cool instruments used

Beautiful voice lent to the ethereal experience that was this album. This Woman's Work was the definitive highlight for me. 3.5 stars.

sinto muito pelo ph, mas a ex dele fez um bom album.

Nem deu tempo de ouvir, mas a história do pedro merece um 5

Nem perto de ser algum álbum memorável dela

Eu tenho uma ex que é parecida com a Kate bush. Um dia ela me ligou desesperada e em prantos perguntando se eu era gay, eu respondi sensatamente que não era, até porque eu namorava ela e nunca demonstrei nada por homens. Não acreditando em mim, ela retrucou dizendo que durante uma sessão espírita que ela participou, foi revelado pela tia incorporando um distante parente da família já morto que seria revelado um segredo sobre nosso relacionamento. Segundo ela, já que eu tinha apenas um grupo pequeno de amigos, onde todos eram homens e Segundo o Instagram, isso era sinal de homossexualidade, eu objetivamente era gay. namoramos por mais um ano. o álbum é bom também.

This had me running down that hill.

Wasn't sure if I'd recognize anything on this album, but I'm fairly certain I've heard "The Fog" before. It's terrific, brooding, haunting. I love the strings. Beyond that, it is the sort of maudlin pop that I don't mind, but wouldn't seek out. Great singer, obviously talented songwriter, but not my genre.

Meh. Not my bag.

It was nice

I’ve tried, but I really don’t like Kate Bush and this is the worst of the lot. I really don’t like her over the top vocals. However, she is doing something different than a lot of the rest of her contemporaries which is a plus in her column.

1. uuorld - 2 2. anger -1 3. fog - 2 4. out - 2 5. dancing - 1 6. deeper - 2 7. man - 2 8. never - 2 9. tail - 2 10. uuork - 2

I was definitely disappointed by this album but I think that’s just because I ADORED the dreaming. This album just isn’t the dreaming, unfortunately. I did however really like the songs “love and anger”, “reaching out”, and “deeper understanding”. Just didn’t hold a candle to her other album I liked more but I still enjoyed it.

I dont get it

Kate Bush at her medium.

I don’t know where to begin. Even if you can get past the feigned vocal morphing to hide an absence of range. Or even if you get past the insipid lyrics, play the last 20 seconds of ‘Love And Anger’ into the first 20 seconds of ‘The Fog’ and please explain how this is an artist that takes their craft seriously.

Perhaps this is grading on a scale because I can't help but compare to her other work that includes 3 utter masterpieces. It's still a great album with some pure, original beauty, especially the first and last track.

Very nice but not exceptional.

I mean, it's Kate Bush, it automatically gets 5 stars. Well that's not quite true. This album is just a collection of fantastic songs, like a songbook, but isn't as thematically consistent as some of her masterpieces. Regardless, her songs are so good that they blow most other albums here out of the water. Forever and always my queen.

Great. Really enjoyed it, loved the instrumentation. What a voice!

This is truly a sensual experience. It is so affectious I can feel the songs on my skin.

Pretty boring.

The first track sounds a lot like the Mario 64 underwater level music and that's a good thing.

I think I heard Wuthering Heights when I was a kid and thought Kate Bush was the worse singer I'd heard (sorry Bjork). Then, Stranger Things came along and I got to hear it all again. This one wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. She had some good moments earlier in the album. But by the end of it... I wasn't THAT impressed. You lose your title that 12 year old me handed out. 2 Stars L

This album is like having a glass of wine after the big family lunch on Christmas Day. You're a bit tipsy by now, and all the formalities of the family Christmas lunch are done. Now you are chilling in a relaxed environment talking to your whimsical aunt. She has always been a bit flighty, but you have always got on well with her. She is giving you relationship advice while also laughing about how that last glass of champagne means she won't be able to drive anywhere. You're pretty sure your uncle is also quite drunk, so you're not sure how that situation is going to sort itself out. Oh well, not yours to worry about. You ask your aunt if you can bum a cigarette and she happily obliges.

Kate Bush is someone history kinda forgot about until her running up that hill song took off again due to Stranger Things. This album, which does not feature that tune, stated well but hen just drifted into background music with nothing special standing out. Its. It wasnt offensive or bad in anyway, but id describe it as boring.

Just not for me. She is very talented, but just sings music I don't enjoy much. 2/5 Won't listen again

My fav Kate bush album, but I say that about every album by her and the dead milkmen

yes never heard the sensual world but she said yes watch the music videos this was nothing special but her voice is lovely mmmmmmmyes many a time the game molly and I play came with me interruptions galore but there was that beautiful sunset we laughed at a picture of hitler we saw the game won eleven to three will I ever go back is there anything the matter with my insides or have I something growing in me coughing and sneezing til the passage dries her voice kept me coming back yes I spun the record over again and over again rockets tail is its namesake there is a movie song never seen many movies and yet it's good yes someone knows someone knows Kevin Bacon they imitate her but no Bjork no Joanna Newsom can only be Kate Bush she asked me with her eyes to rate 5/5 I said yes I put my headphones on and drew her to me and her voice was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes.

It's okay

Not great, not terrible.

A very consistently good album. 5 stars or A-.

Great album, so far removed from the squealy wuthering heights which is really grating. Really enjoy her later releases.

A better version of Madonna's Ray of Light, which I hated. Lacking some running up hills

Solid album, but nothing that really stood out.

excellent album. the song with the computer stuff is kind of funny because it’s so outdated, but lyrics are surprisingly relevant. Kate Bush can see the future

está bueno, pero meh. poco más que agregar

Best album so far, absolute peak

rocket tail super good. Love her singing

"I turn to my computer like a friend" Kate Bush is a visionary

mmm ya it is goooooooooooooood.

lush, ethereal production. gorgeous vocals. great melodies, great lyrics. two david gilmour appearances. i don't know what else i could ask for in an album, except maybe one more gilmy solo. kicking myself for not checking out kate bush earlier.

Listenable even today.

The musical theatre is still in the words, but it has all but disappeared from the vocalisation and orchestration. This Woman's Work is the only real earworm on the album, but a poor Kate Bush album trumps a good album from most other artists.

Gritty Rock

Good vocals, alt-rock

sensual baby voice kills me. I understand it's a coming-of-age album but for having no bangers, no levity, and no growth its a 2 star for me dawg.

This was great. Kate Bush is always a delight for me, and this album was no exception. I don't think I'd ever heard any of these songs before today, but I enjoyed them all and listened to the whole album twice. Five stars.

This sounds like it was made for middle aged women on a retreat to regain their sexuality

Other than that Stranger Things kid running up a hill to tell the evil mutants he's gay I'm truly a tabula rasa with Kate Bush. Coming to this by way of the Cocteau Twins album means we're primed to also tell the evil mutants that we're a little curious too. I'm probably really late to the party but between the Cocteau Twins, Enya, and Kate Bush the the late eighties were a hell of a time for unbelievable female vocals.

Despite her resurgence, I'm not familiar with Kate Bush's game, but I like it so far. Her voice is phenomenal, and there's enough going on in the supporting instrumentals to keep me interested (3.5)

On paper I should love it : an angelic voice, innovative music that experiments with all kinds of arrangements, a creative artist who writes her own texts and music, an interesting guestlist... But for some reason I can't explain, it always feels a bit off, like it's constantly hovering on the edge of greatness without ever taking the last step. There's a lot of good ideas and elements here, but the music never fully coalesces into something that transcends the sum of its parts. Maybe it's still too close to 80s pop music, too quiet, not wild enough to really excite me. I was curious for a couple of songs, then I started losing interest, and by the end of the album I was mostly bored. Rocket's Tail is pretty much the only song I loved, but it was too little, too late - and it was immediately followed by the kind of song I typically have zero interest in. I tried to find reasons to bump it to a 3*, but I'm pretty sure I'll never listen to this again. 4/10

Painful to listen to. I think I managed to listen most of it though

With guests like Alan Stivell and David Gilmour, her voice still holding strong, a Celtic-rock blend and some genuinely inspired instrumentation at times, this is very solid for an 80s record. Kate Bush avoids the usual glossy, synthetic shortcuts, and the result has aged quite well except on few tracks such like Heads we’re dancing. Overall a decent record to me, a bit flat at times, but with some very nice highs like Rocket’s tail.

This may not be the best Kate Bush album but it is still really good. Woman’s work, sensual world and Love & Anger are some stand outs for me. Very good.

3.5 stars

Sorry, Dad - this wasn’t doing it for me

I had pretty high expectations for this after Hounds of Love in 1985. This was her next album but it was a 4 year wait. This one didn’t quite do it for me. The title track is great and This Woman’s Work grabs me every time it comes on in the background in a movie or TV show. Her next one, The Red Shoes, is better. Weirdly, this album isn’t listed in the quick link I use to see how many albums an artist has in the 1,001. Must be an addition in a later edition. https://www.listchallenges.com/1001-albums-you-must-hear-before-you-die-2021/list/26

I love “this woman’s work.” And there are other songs on this album too.

4/10

Could grow to a 5.

Сара 3.5 Марко 3.5

YES

I don't like Kate Bush.

Goes alright. Quite the iconic sound here, and no doubt significantly influential. High 2s.

Love And Anger

Fairly decent Kate Bush album

This is another '80s album that didn't hold up as well as I thought it would.

One thing I have learnt from this project is that I am very particular with Bush. This Bush was not for me.

Interesting album! I’d definitely like to hear more from her. Lots of texture, good mix of styles, clever lyrics.

One Kate Bush album was at least an experience. Now a good experience, but at least an experience. Two Kate Bush albums started to feel like a horror version of Groundhog's Day. THREE?!?!? Kate Bush albums? Absolutely absurd. Not a one of these belonged on this list much less three.

Average Kate Bush is still above average pop

i live and breathe for the whimsical

What does it say about an artist’s legacy if a work like The Sensual World isn’t even their best? Do we take Kate Bush‘s genius for granted? But let’s start from the beginning — aka the burden of following up a masterpiece. Kate Bush had to bear it twice. The first time came after her earth-shattering debut, when she redefined what avant-garde pop songwriting could achieve: masterful pop sensibility paired with a radical commitment to uniqueness. A formula that she would later refine with her towering work, Hounds of Love - rightly considered an album for eternity, with its two distinct halves evenly split between a loose collection of songs and a cycle of thematically linked sound artifacts. So that was the second time she had to live up to a blistering predecessor. The first time, it did not quite work out: not only in my view was Lionheart a somewhat lukewarm follow-up to The Kick Inside. But how does The Sensual World hold up to Hounds of Love? Did it work out the second time? Well, The Sensual World is a worthy successor to her (arguably) career highlight. In some respects, it might even mark a first for Kate Bush. For once, it feels like she truly continued along the path laid out by her previous work, instead of radically changing pace and direction. She taps into similar sonics and doubles down on the pop factor that was already embedded in the fabric of Hounds of Love. And precisely because of that, The Sensual World is a good record - a great one, even. Not her best, but that doesn’t say much when you have The Kick Inside and Hounds of Love under your belt. The final moments of Love and Anger are also telling: did you notice her laughter? Kate Bush seems free - almost unburdened. This airy sense of weightlessness that flows through the album (much like it already did in Oh to Be in Love et al) is what truly propels The Sensual World to higher spheres. Also, with Aerial, she managed to achieve this by no means small feat once more - coming close to the brilliance of both The Kick Inside and Hounds of Love. Wow. What an artist. What a genius. Let’s not take her or her work for granted.

Not really notable? It was alright.

I think Kate Bush is America’s Bjork. If that makes sense. Sort of all over the place vocals, general ethereal pop stuff going on. Nothing really grabbed me, unfortunately. It wasn’t overly bad and it’s a competently made album. Just wasn’t my taste.

Kate Bush’s The Sensual World finds the art-pop icon leaning even further into her idiosyncrasies—lush Celtic textures, theatrical vocals, and a rhythmic sensibility that seems to follow only her own compass. It’s a record full of intricate ideas and emotional nuance, though Bush’s singular delivery can be an acquired taste, and not every experiment lands with the same weight. Still, there’s plenty to admire: the title track opens the album with shimmering pipes and a vocal approach that feels like a proto–Tori Amos invocation; “The Fog” drapes its melody in somber strings that evoke storm clouds gathering; and “Never Be Mine” brings the Celtic instrumentation back for one of the album’s most quietly infectious moments. She closes with “This Woman’s Work,” a stripped-down piano ballad that stands among her most affecting pieces. And with “Deeper Understanding,” Bush pens a surprisingly prescient meditation on human–computer relationships—nearly a decade before OK Computer would make digital alienation a global talking point.

Correcto

Not quite as good as the last Kate Bush album we rated. Very, very 80s sounding, and that is among my very least favorite sounds, but there's some interesting songs on here that I found enjoyable.

I preferred the Hounds of Love over this one. It probably has a lot to do with the production which is the worst of 80s era in my opinion.