Reviews (page 2 of 8)
Hounds of Love is my favorite Kate Bush album, but this is right up there. She is a misunderstood genius. 4⭐️
7/10
I respect it more than I like it
9.7/10
This gave me a headache. Lots of things here where I can see the intention and it worked occasionally but mostly this was a miss. That being said the thought of some 14 year girl discovering her from Stranger Things than putting this on is quite funny. 3/10
This is terrible. Her voice is piercing and annoying
Aburridisimo... Me hizo acordar a Bjork
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE
Plastic Ono Band without John Lennon.
This is really cool and kind of more flamboyant and weird than I was expecting. Overall, I enjoyed it. Probably not something I would revisit anytime soon, but it was cool to experience this other side of Kate Bush.
Although Kate Bush is an amazing artist, this album felt very experimental and not a style I would likely listen to again. Just personal preference.
I remember Kate appearing on Saturday superstore promoting this album and hearing ‘sat in your lap’ and wondering what was happening. I wouldn’t have been old enough to consider buying it but cricical reappraisal and high profile musical fans have given it interest as the years have passed. So much of it is her on a fairlight keyboard and similar to Peter Gabriel 3 in no cymbals being used. It’s the irregular vocal approaches and unique instruments that keep the listener wondering, the bass playing is of especial importance - suspended in gaffa sounds positively conventional! Her lowest seller before her biggest seller…..
Weird. Weird. Weird.
Quite theatrical type pop music. Not really my bag.
Wayyyy too weird for me. The over the top goofiness she was going for with her voice just ruined it in my opinion. 1/5
Weird. I spent the whole album working out whether that was the point. It is. She produced this one alone for the first time and deliberately made something uncommercial after having had hits. She later called it "my 'she's gone mad' album" — her words — and it sold worse than anything else she had done. She isn't singing as herself on most of it. Every song is a different character with a different voice: a thief, a soldier, Bess Houdini passing her husband a key in a kiss. That's why it feels like the album keeps changing who's talking. Knowing that made it make more sense. It didn't make it easier. The moment that got me was the end of "Get Out of My House." The song is built on The Shining — someone barring a door against whatever wants in — and it closes with her turning into a mule and braying, answered by a second mule that is audibly a man. That's Paul Hardiman, the engineer. The reference is Pinocchio. It is completely absurd and it is not a joke: the transformation is how she escapes. So — committed, singular, nothing else sounds like it. But I finished it respecting the album more than I enjoyed it, and I can't feel it pulling me back. 3/5 — the strangeness is the point, and I got the point without wanting it again.
Listened several times now and still feel I'd need more time with the album. Kudos to Kate Bush for being as weird as she just liked to be. It's theatrical and musical-like in many places and really intriguing, even if not all works well (for my tastes). It's special, that's for sure. (I got a similar feeling when listening to Björk.) I especially liked "Suspended In Gaffa" and the title track. 3/5 - good
Loved the last couple of Bush albums but this just didn’t land. Felt flat and without the intensity of the others. The dreaming was exception but not enough to save it
Pushing the boundaries of pop music, Bush continues to experiments with her sound and creates something that's unique, cinematic and beautiful. Artsy without ever feeling pretentious, you can hear Bush take influence from goth and prog rock. She uses her voice in a weird and wonderful ways, with her full register on show here. She even makes donkey sounds with her vocals during the emotional closer "Get Out Of My House" and it somehow doesn't come off as ridiculous. On "Leave It Open" she sings through distorted effects about letting the weirdness in and that perfectly sums up the record.
Whoa! I like some Kate Bush, but this is totally annoying.
Fuckée effectivement. Très bon!
Méchante fuckée Madame Bush. J'ai baptisé ça du neo-Bjork.
Vraiment une drole de bibitte Kate Bush. J'adore ça, je dois explorer plus, car je ne pourrais dire pour le moment quel album je préfère
delightfully crackpot alternative pop. I love me some Kate Bush. I didn't know a lot of these songs as I've never strayed far from the singles, so it was nice to hear some deeper cuts. It feels like folk pop mixed with synthwave.
The Dreaming feels like pure, unfiltered Kate Bush weirdness. While it might be celebrated by her most devoted fans, I found it to be a difficult and laborious listen. I admire its ambition, but it’s simply not my jam.
Well, this seems like the true form of Kate Bush. Strange, eclectic, and created completely for her own enjoyment and no one else's. The fact that people enjoy it also was an unexpected bonus. I think the book authors came up with around 600 albums and then thought "Well, we need to get to 1001 and people really like Artist X. Let's just add a few of their other albums in even if it's completely unnecessary" Kate Bush could have been represented by one album.
Icon.
8.5/10
I haven't really listened to any of her music before, I only knew about Kate Bush for her super popular song that everyone knows, but I wasn't really interested in listening to her music, and oh god, I really don't know why I did that, because this album is truly amazing and I loved every single second of it. I can understand why some people might not like this, because of the oddness this albums delivers or any other whatever reason, but that's one of the reasons why I absolutely loved this album. The vibe it gives off, the instruments, her voice... everything just captivated me in such a weird and amazing experience, and especially the second half, were it gets even better. So, overall, I loved this album and after this, I'm definitely going to start to listen to more of her music.
The Dreaming was once on my compilation cassette tape with the theme of dreams. An album with grit and almost animalistic cries from the heart.
Definitely different. Definitely not for me.
Kate Bush is a legend !
Bad recommendation.
Incomprehensible but realized I found this weirdly compelling about halfway through the title track
Theatrical, mystical, a little unsettling and ahead of its time. Uniquely singular entity this Kate Bush, interesting to hear the broader repertoire outside the hits.
Absolutely no bangers on this record. “The Dreaming” songs made me feel nervous. There are horse noises in ‘Get Out Of My House’ xd
Too weird and unrefined to enjoy intensely, too talented and full of ideas to dismiss entirely
Strange album. Feels like experimental theater. The compositions reminds me a little of David Bowie or Peter Gabriel. The vocals at times remind me of Tori Amos. The bio says this is one of Bjork's favorite albums and I can totally see that.
While Kate walked so that the Toris, Fionas and Florences of the world could run, I think I ultimately like the idea of Kate Bush more than I like the majority of her songs.
I really REALLY want to like Kate Bush. She's such a huge influence on so many artists I love - which I can actually hear in the quirky, theatrical, story telling nature of this album. But I think I either needed to be 14 years old when exposed to this, or hear it like 50 times - which I'm not going to do - to really get this.
Artsy and gorgeous. The musical style is not the greatest, but Kate’s voice is something special.
Мне честно сложно сказать про это что либо хорошее или плохое. Могу сказать что это не самая худшая попса которую я слышал, но и не худшая. Я бы сказал это 2,5/5, но к уважению к ней поставлю 3.
Nothing redeemable about this for me. Where are the songs? It's all a bit too theatrical and out there for me. Nothing to really latch onto and enjoy. I don't dislike Kate Bush, but this brought out all the elements of her music I really don't enjoy.
Like it
Those who call this album 'experimental' (especially, those who do so in derogatory terms) must have spent most of their lives listening to shite like Bon Jovi. It's a masterpiece written, produced and recorded over two years by someone who, by the end of the process, was barely 24. I would be curious to see wtf you suckers did at that age.
One of the most intense and boundary-pushing "pop" releases, even 44 years after its release. I can't think of another album that really sounds like it, nothing is designed to be calm, gentle or pleasing to the ear - bearing resemblence to some of the more esotric Talking Heads and Joni Mitchell work, such as Remain in Light and the Hissing of Summer Lawns. Some of the affectations undoutbedly put people off, but for me, it sounds like unbridled creativity. If absolutely nothing else can be taken away, Suspended in Gaffa is one of the greatest songs she's written to date.
A great album that feels way ahead of its time. There Goes A Tenner is a banger.
Have heard of Kate Bush Had not heard the album Had not heard any of the singles. Took a few listens and some research, but I have frown to appreciate this album. Knowing that bush wrote most of the songs, and produced the album, this is a impressive piece of work. I'm not sure I'll listen to it again, but I think it belongs
Super experimenteel Kate Bush Album, letsgoooooo! En experimenteel: Dat is het! Kate gebruikt haar stem echt in alle mogelijke manieren, daarnaast is de productie vreemd en trippy. Maar is het goed? Experimenteren om het experimenteren zegt niets over de kwaliteit van het album en ik kan me er toch niet helemaal aan onttrekken dat dit album voor een deel gewoon weird en vreemd is om het vreemd zijn. Leave it open is voor mij een bizarre trip, maar wel in de meest positieve betekenis van het woord. Het gaat alle kanten op, Kate haar stem word zwaar vervormd en misschien ook omgekeerd afgespeeld? Je merkt wel duidelijk wat het idee was achter dit album, ze wilde duidelijk af van haar titel als pop zangeres en meer de experimentele en credible hoek in. Ook erg interessant dat ze het album grotendeels zelf heeft geproduceerd. Ik krijg erg Japanse of Aziatische invloeden hiervan? Misschien is het de muziek keuze, maar gezien haar eerdere album The Kick Inside wat daadwerkelijk is geinspireerd door Japan(en dat ik toevallig op vinyl heb) is het misschien niet zo'n stretch. Wat wel ontzettend duidelijk is: Dit album is absoluut proto-Björk. Die moet dit album echt grijs hebben gedraaid. Ik snap ergens wel het idee, maar moet toegeven: Dit is voor mij te experimenteel om het echt goed te vinden. Het is interessant en Kate kan zingen als de beste, maar de kans dat ik dit album vaker ga luisteren is vrijwel 0... En dat is ondanks dat het album eindigt met een ge-wel-dige Ezel imitatie. FAVO: Leave it open, Night of the swallow
You know that part in The Simpsons when Homer's watching Twin Peaks and he says "Brilliant. I have absolutely no idea what's going on"? Yeah.
I’ve had this on repeat all afternoon, I think it’s ace. Gets better and better each listen. Very experimental and you never really know whats coming next, which I like. It’s weird. Can’t properly point to one reason why it’s weird, it just is, and I love it for that. I think PJ Harvey borrowed a lot from this, especially around Let England Shake. But I dont blame her, Kate Bush absolutely nails it here.
Listened to a fair bit of Kate Bush now and it still hasn't fully clicked for me. Like previous albums I think when it all it comes together it's great and when it doesn't it just left with being a bit strange, and this album was often strange. I'd say this album was a bit front loaded too, think my favourites were there goes a tenner to suspended in gaffa which were the choppiest tracks. It got a bit more expansive after that, still interesting though. So yep, Im not completely sold yet but always happy to hear a Kate Bush album.
The third album of her's on the list - quite experimental. I liked Houdini, but didn't really know what to think of the rest. Great voice and artistry, and I like the way she goes about composing songs. Jack's mum probably wore this album out when he was growing up.
Ooh more Kate Bush, surprised we haven't seen more... Perhaps there will be another in the dwindling list of remaining albums. This was pretty out there in parts, although I did enjoy most of it. Was only familiar with "sat in your lap" but liked "suspended in gaffa" too. Somewhere around 2.5 but probably 3
This was overall a good album has some really good songs like suspended in gaffa and sat in your lap are really good but overall not our favorite of hers We love Kate bush
It’s great it’s like nothing
Theatrical and experimental. Feels like she should be a character in Lord of the Rings or maybe Harry Potter.
Kate Bush has such an interesting vocal quality that makes listening to her music such a special experience. I especially loved 'There Goes A Tenner.' This album is very experimental and has a strange production style, produced all by Bush herself. It's a fascinating listen for sure but I'm not certain I will return to this album as often as I would something else.
Strange and mysterious, bordering on odd noise but somehow keeping its structure and tension. Not very approachable, maybe a bit too challenging for me
Ok, first ever Kate Bush album, my opinion, not the one I would have preferred to start with. Going in, I’d only heard Running Up That Hill before, so I really didn’t have too many expectations on what the album was going to sound like, and after listening to it, I definitely didn’t expect it to sound the way it did. I felt that Bush’s singing voice, although impressive, could feel really shrill in some songs, especially the opener, Sat In Your Lap, where the chorus is reminiscent of an angle grinder. Most of the album was filled with weird showtimes and songs that went on for longer than they should’ve, and repeated a lot. I didn’t really connect with the weird soundscape that the album was trying to produce. However, three of the last four songs, Night of The Swallow, All The Love, and Houdini, I at least somewhat enjoyed due to their focus on the emotion of the song and not weird sound effects and voice modulators. Overall, I really didn’t jive with this album, if you like it, that’s good, but I’m hoping Kate Bush’s other albums on here sound way different than this one.
As far as experimental goes, this is the most tolerable. Immense respect for Kate Bush tho
I hated this beyond compare. Musically it's actually fine but Kate Bush sounds like a dying donkey. There's literally donkey sounds.
This entire album is very eccentric; half of it hits for me and half of it doesn’t. Probably wouldn’t revisit on a regular basis but can definitely appreciate parts of this
She’s one of a kind
whimsical, strange, fun. not one that i adored, but there are some songs and ideas here that i enjoy
I remember the first time I went to a theater to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show. At first it was wall-to-wall "WTF??", but it soon grew on me. That is this album.
i don't like Kate Bush
I liked her country album but this is no bueno
Typical Kate Bush album Unique singing voice. Eccentric style. Music mostly electronic. Roll out the pin, Suspended in Gaffa: excellent sons. A good album. Four stars
2 stars - was this during her be edgy and act sexy phase of her career?
Pretty good but not hounds of love good
Didn't love but very clear influence on future great artists/albums
I was loving this throughout but the screaming and wailing on the last couple tracks bumped this to a 5
somehow every better than I remembered ... its crazy how consistently good she is goddamn!!
New to me. I really enjoyed this, think it would be a real grower
I love this, experimental, different - perfect commuting album
A really interesting listen - one to revisit I think
I must say I thought we’d already had this one…two stars. Tom.
8/10
Vocals felt very shrill and scratchy at times.
Overall, interesting. And at times, satisfying. ★★★
Such a bold, creative album without losing sight of great songs with a message and musical innovation! Kate still manages to make it a joy to listen, even if it might take a few runs. Just as wonderful, if maybe not a polished, as the following "Hounds of love".
This woman is unhinged and I'm here for it.
All skips except Suspended in Gaffa. I can't explain it.
A challenging listen. As a '90s art school girl, I feel pressured to like this, but it feels like homework. I admire the artistry and the risk-taking, but most of this is just unpleasant. There is a reason non of these songs became hits. I like some Kate Bush, but not this album. I guess I'm just not cool enough.
I found this to be a challenging listen. The heavily processed sound is not for me. Her voice, the empty sounding percussion - its not for me. I listened to the whole thing though. Two stars.
This was not good. It was so weird and I just couldn't follow what was going on. Some songs had moments, but overall this was not good. Actual rating 1.5 Liked Songs: "Pull Out The Pin" , "Night Of The Swallow" , "All The Love" , "Get Out Of My House"
I just want peace in my life. Her style of singing doesn’t bring it. I don’t hate it, it’s unique, but I know I’ll never go back to it in my own. Once is enough.
- Um - This is quite unconventional - I don’t think I can finish listening to this - Yeah I’m good only Suspended In Gaffa was listenable that was lowkey a torture
Nice and a good mix of pop and prog. The 80s reverb are fully on display and the music is interesting and layered
Skvelý album
So densely experimental and wacky. Definitely not an easy listen, buy I'm glad I did it was terrific. Thoughts while listening: I'm so emersed, yet I don't really know what I'm supposed to be understanding and what is simply intelligible and meant to be simply experienced. The screaming lyrics in pull out the pin were amazing, and is definitely the best so far. Similar vibes on Houdini. Very interesting sound effects. The jaunty piano in most songs so far is very fun, very upbeat. It's like circus music. The vocal sound effects are particularly used, perhaps overused? It's hard to tell when something is so experimental wether it's overdone or just right. It goes back and forth between creepy and disturbing to beautiful. Mostly just an intriguing middle ground. The dreaming was awesome. Lovely message and unusual vocal deliveries. Hearing didgeridoo in songs is always cool. Favs: Pull out the pin, the dreaming, get out of my house
Cryptic surrealism that often feels more like an experimental theater performance, with choruses that never really coalesce, rather than a proper music album. It results in equal cases of inspiration and perplexity. I far prefer HOUNDS OF LOVE over the indulgence of THE DREAMING. It is clear that this album was a learning experience for Bush, both on Fairlight CMI that she would not master until HOUNDS OF LOVE, and learning how to produce herself for the first time. Too much Id and not enough Ego and Superego to balance the concept out. Favorite bits: last half of the "The Dreaming" and "Night of the Swallow"
Abstract, avant and allover fun.
Really cool. I knew Kate Bush is great but I hadn’t heard this album before. Great imagery and I love the fretless bass that’s all over the album.
Theatrical. Reminds of Tori Amos & she rightfully aped Bush's style. It sounds timeless. Not like Sensual World, which sounded like it came from 80s. Weird. I can understand why people don't like it. It is very operatic but I wasn't paying attention enough to see if there is a story throughout. Other than the theme, dreaming or most of the songs have a dreamscape sense to them. I should revisit this. Because there is part of me saying: What the Fuck did I just listen to? 4
Album definitely too deep for a single listen, it feels like I was not able to fully appreciate it. Will be more thoroughly revisited in the future, maybe when other Kate Bush albums come up.
melhor album dela
You really come to appreciate these kinds of albums when you get into the late stages of this list, because this was basically a completely new sound for me -- and I had gotten Hounds of Love on this list previously. I enjoy how experimental and creative and autistic it is, although the one downside is that nothing connected with me enough to give it a higher score.
I really only know that Running Up That Hill song by Kate Bush. This starts off way weirder than I was expecting, which is great. I feel like she is always lumped in with more mainstream acts but this album is delightfully quirky and reminds me more of Nina Hagen's art rock. This album is weird and amazing, why didn't anyone tell me Kate Bush was so amazing?
Cool voice with a lot of range.
A bit too quirky 80s for me
Meh. Weird artsy 80s music.
My cat’s ears kept perking up while listening to this. What’s wrong, girl? Is there danger?? Just kidding. Interesting songwriting here as far as pop goes. Baroque is kinda funny to me. Probably will not revisit
Very interesting, quirky voice, but not quite my cup of tea.
Interesting album - not bad
Struggled to get through this one as I’m often listening to it on and off while traveling Asia. Don’t think it quite matched that environment, hence the struggle to finish the album in under a month - way too long, I know. But overall I did enjoy the creativity and oddity that comes with a Kate Bush song and or album. Stuff you expect one second and then a bunch of stuff (lyrics, singing style) that you don’t. Kept me on my toes and I liked it and I like her.
Another DNF, but I'm well within my goal of less than 10% DNF so I'm fine with it. I made it a long way - only 3 songs to go but gave up. I get that Kate Bush is art pop, but this is taking it way too far. It's disjointed and discordant. It feels random, but in a "I specifically placed this odd yell at this point to maximise randomness" way. It just feels incredibly synthetic and insincere. Honestly, it felt more like "look at me, I'm an Artist!" art than actual art.
God, she is so weird but isnt this album just quirky enough to make it good. Close to masterpiece for me. 4.5/5
The musical equivalent of hitting the DJ button on the keyboard and mashing the keys in a vaguely rhythmic fashion. Love you, Kate, but this is madness.
This collection of sounds, screams and only rare nods to traditional song structure is defiantly weird - anti-commercial to the max. It also makes it an off-putting listening experience save for a few songs that do more to bring the listener in. I’ll have to revisit to identify which ones for myself. Still, her utter uniqueness is clear, which offers intrigue.
This was amazing! A real creative record, it shows where Fiona Apple, PJ Harvey and a million others were being inspired from. Loved it
Crazy, witchy brilliance.
I wasn't sure what to expect with this, but I found it enjoyable. There is a fear that, with all the dramatics, it'll be more of a musical, but it thankfully isn't. It exists in a bizarre world where the theatre kids did something cool. The record doesn't shy away from using both intricate vocal layering and heavy sampling (specifically the Fairlight CMI) to create emotional, atmospheric soundscapes that range from the beautiful to the dissonant. Some might dismiss this as "weird for the sake of being weird," but I find that reductive. It ignores the album's experimental and deeply expressive nature. It's clear her intention wasn't to create a collection of radio-friendly hits. To me, it just sounds like Kate Bush being unapologetically herself, which is certainly preferable to being "boring for the sake of being normal." I suspect Kate Bush occupied a much more mainstream space in her native UK than elsewhere. This list has a strong bias toward UK music history, which is obvious if you're a local, and stuff like this might seem a bit eccentric to outsiders. That said, it's not surprising this record was not as commercially successful as her others. While it works well together as a concept album, fading dreamily between songs, it does lack a standout track which would make a good single. Even then, a standout track would either be out of context alone, or, if made specifically to be a single, out of context with the rest of the album. With so much happening in the production, I'll definitely need to revisit this to catch the details I missed the first time around. I'm looking forward to diving into the rest of her discography as well. I close my review with this: Eeyore! EEEEeeyore! 4/5
Not one of the "iconic" Kate Bush albums I'm more familiar with so I wasn't sure what to expect, but really enjoyed the soundscapes and increasing use of cockney accents. I also like when she screamed about Houdini dying. I'm sure that pissed people off but I enjoyed it!
Are you sure this isn't Annie Lennox?
That was nothing like I expected it to be and it ended up being pretty good.
Pretty cool!
Dark 80’s pop rock with a quirky approach to vocals.
The better tracks here (in my view Leave it Open, Night of the Swallow, All The Love) aren’t worth a 4. And other tracks have too much voice affectation and/or theatrics or wailing to be close to a 3. Not commercial enough! So a 2 overall. Hounds of Love is a good album though!
After my getting into Apple, Joni, Siouxsie, was looking forward to another bit of leftfield female percussion-y music - this one left me a little cold though - it's influences were less jazzy and more theatrical, music hall and was much less my thing...potentially will go back for another listen time.permitting - really enjoyed Leave It Open!
Oh Kate, and I was on such a roll! This album delivers the worst kind of art house nonsense with barely a redeeming song to be heard. Truly painful listening for most of the album, the screeching, grating vocals did nothing for me, and very much reinforced why I’ve never successfully listened to one of her albums in full despite loving a few of her singles. Never again.
How have I never listened to Kate Bush till now? Her music is weird but really good. It has a Little Shop of Horrors feel at times.
I really didn't like her other albums here, and I was expecting this one to be no different. I was kinda wrong about it, it caught my attention in a way the others didn't. I am really, really tired of whiny British dude blues, so a screaming and growling lady was actually a relief to be something different. 3/5
Favourite Songs: Sat In Your Lap Suspended In Gaffa Leave It Open
I find this record quite weak in comparison to other Kate Bush material I've heard. It feels like it's trying to be super intelligent in the songwriting and production - there's an edginess to it that I do enjoy in parts, but overall I think the flow & end product is lacking. Towards the second half of the album I also found myself zoning out a bit. It's not terrible by any means but it's not hitting the spot with me.
meh
Oh wow, I love this immediately. This is so singular and perfectly strange. I’ve listened to a lot of albums and this one shows that I can still be surprised! Can’t wait to revisit. Must-listen #366
This is a pretty weird record. Very experimental but I think I really like it. A lot of the other experimental or concept-y stuff I’ve listened to so far on this list feels same-y throughout but this one is really varied. Definitely worth a few more listens. 4/5.
I don't think Kate Bush and I would have lasted very long in a relationship.
Two word review: “hot mess”
Back when every album of hers was theater and sonic experimentation. I love the dramatics, the accents, the fun. I want to hug her when she croons. I am besotted. She is other-wordly and we will not see her like again.
This is bananas haha
Sat in Your Lap - 4.5/5 There Goes a Tenner - 4/5 Pull Out the Pin - 4/5 Suspended in Gaffa - 4/5 Leave it Open - 4/5 The Dreaming - 4/5 Night of the Swallow - 4.5/5 All the Love - 4/5 Houdini - 3.5/5 Get Out of My House - 4.5/5 I had only been tangentially aware of Kate Bush mostly through her resurgence in popularity in the past few years, so getting her album deemed the most "commercially inaccessible" was definitely a challenge from the start. It's all over the place in a good way, doing whatever she wants without really caring about if it will sell well. There is that mix of baroque-ness and theatricality all throughout that makes this weird, eclectic mix somehow work. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: Sat in Your Lap, Get Out of My House
Not her best album thats for sure and definitely not easy listening a poor 2
Absolutely Rips.
Definitivno not her best work, inače ju volim ali ovaj album je smeće. 2/5, 3/10
clown music that sounds like it’s spiraling out of control (i love it)
A wonderful intersection of beauty and oddity. Might not be everyone's cup of tea but fucking lol at those people on this site somehow listening to a Kate Bush album and walking away thinking it utter garbage—our souls are made of different things, man.
I've never really been able to get into Kate Bush, but I respect a "let's get weird"-type album. Despite not listening to her much at all, I somehow learned that "Suspended in Gaffa" was the name of her fans' mailing list? Anyway, it's a bit disappointing to look up what gaffa is and find out it's just tape and not like a gummy substance of some kind?
There Goes a Tenner is so Madness coded Shoutout to the speeding car SFX She definitely has an aesthetic I keep fluctuating between ‘this is great!’ And ‘what am I listening to!?’ This made for a very trippy post-nightshift commute soundtrack I entered a Kate Bushkeptic and left Konverted (Bush)
Kate Bush knows how to get down with those out of pocket vocals.
beetje vreemd, ni mijn ding
Kate te amo reina madre diosa. Nunca había escuchado este entero, siempre más otros o algunas sueltas. Portada icónica, música increíble, voz magistral, ambiente y drama.
The latest in what seems to be a higher than expected number of operatic and overly theatrical albums among this 1001 collection... Not a huge Kate Bush fan and I’m sure this isn’t her best album. Interesting and irritating in equal measure.
Stands the test of time. Not her best, but still very listenable.
Mad as a box of frogs but I think I might get into it if I listened more.
If Max from Stranger Things had played this Kate Bush album, she would definitely have come out of her coma sooner—just to turn it off
What the fuck
Don't know if I'd ever listen to it again, but it was interesting throughout.
I think it's just too torn between experimental and just 80s pop to me. The grounded moments suck for me and the moments that push really hard just feel questionable. Worst of all the production is pretty poopy. Those stock keyboard sounds just grind my gears idk
This is like if Kate Bush sang clown music. This is really weird, and (so far) there hasn't been a song that has really shown me what she was trying to do in this album. Is it unique? Absolutely. Is it underrated? Maybe, but I don't really think so. Do those things make it good? No, it doesn't. On top of that, I think the album is also kind of sloppy. It's a mess that just never really comes together. Favorite Song(s): -
That was weird! I enjoy that part actually. I wish there were more moments of groove on the album, something that has a little chug and backbeat.
i tried. then i died
this was awesome, i really enjoyed it bunch of great tunes and experimentation
I am sure that after a few listens this album would grow on me. I don't fully understand it now having only listened once.
189. ok
This is weird even for '80's Brit-pop. I know several artists I respect love it, but it would fit right in being played under the big top, waiting for a literal circus to start. I mean, that would be creepy af, but apropos. Quirkiness and influence give it the bump to 3*, but man, this was close.
genius
She doesn’t really tickle my taste on this one, great voice though
It was a good album. Probably not my preferred Kate Bush album.
The overall atmosphere of The Dreaming reminds me of The Cure. The production is far from transparent but it makes me appreciate the songs more - especially since the artist herself did the production.
Very avante garde and experimental which is totally my jam. I found a lot of this interesting but my gut tells me that this is a 3 stars for now. I may revisit this though and update later
Some interesting stuff here, but overall way too much of the wrong kind of weird for me. 2 stars.
All a bit dated this sounds now, plus the songs are not really there. The melodramatic voice only stands up when there are good songs too like bowie
I can see why Peter Gabriel recruited Kate Bush to work with him later on in the 80s, because this felt like a companion piece to his first four albums. Loud drums, quirky orchestral and theatrical music, and wow, that voice. Truly so unique. I had known a little bit about Kate's performance style going in and I wondered if I was going to get tired of it as the album neared the end. Instead, I found myself being pulled in more. I'm ranking this as a four because, well, as much as I liked about it... I don't remember anything I listened to. I don't need it to be catchy to be good, but I'm not sure I walked away from it fully understanding what I just heard, I guess. Does that make sense? I could see this growing on me more with repeated listens, and I definitely want to hear this again.
++: Sat in Your Lap, There Goes a Tenner, Leave It Open, Night of the Shallow, All the Love, Houdini +: Pull Out the Pin, The Dreaming, Get Out of My House +-: Suspended in Gaffa 7,9/10
A little wonky for my taste
Self producing her own album to express her artistic vision was a pretty heady achievement for a female artist in 1982. That said, listening to her artistic vision is a pretty tough slog for me. Her vocal swoops and howls and the frequent banshee wails are a pretty difficult listen.
First impressions, I'd say it is good music. It is interesting music. Can't really get into it, however. It's very theatrical and some songs are very... gimmicky. It's like she wanted to make the songs as a vehicle for her to explore specific sounds and do accents and noises.. which is fine, it's cool and experimental, but for me.. while it does translate into interesting sounds for consideration, it doesn't particularly translate into music for enjoyment. I appreciate the creativity and artistry, but I wouldn't listen to this album again. Also, a personal annoyance for me is when vocalists put on different accents to inhabit a character, it's so contrived and corny. Whilst listening I'm in the mindset of, well this is interesting. When it finishes I'm in the mindset of okay then, that certainly was an album that exists. Nothing sticks in mind. The album is such an onslaught of experimental quirkiness that you quickly become immune to the bizarre aspects of it, but in doing so, you become indifferent to it.
Loved this when it came out. Continue to love it. Have owned as tape cassette then cd, now vinyl. My go-to Kate Bush. Preferred over later albums. Unique and experimental but also fits in with other music of the time like early Cure (Pornography), Siouxsie (A Kiss in the Dreamhouse) and Cocteau Twins (Garlands). Night of the Swallow- perfect. Actually the entire album is perfect.
A bit dull - for her
A little too theatrical for my liking, but it certainly held my attention and I understand the love for the album (as well as the hatred).
Loved it. Love Kate bush
While this did not sound like peak Kate Bush, but it was quite funky, fun and very 80’s.
This was anoying to listen to
Took a couple of spins but it's incredible. Great discovery for me and a must revisit. Fav tracks: Suspended in Gaffa, The Dreaming RYM: Y (#149) Saved a song: Y
My favorite Kate Bush album by far. It was wacky and weird and that’s what made it so different from her other albums on the list
80’s New Wave ⭐️Get Out Of My House
niet echt wat ik verwacht had, maar wel gewoon weer kaulo vaag en best doodoo. oke het is echt heel doodoo.
4. Fun and weird, but not 100% for me.
great album with lots of interesting vocals from yoko-like shrillness to heavier growls and screams. The Dreaming is a bit of a lesser song here.
Nice
Not as accessible as some of her other albums. It takes some time to get used to, but my experience is, that after a handful of listens, it gets so much better
Fucking loved this. Kate Bush on her full weird Peter Gabriel/Cocteau Twins vibe. Like listening to a real *twisted* fairytale, but not as cringy as that sounds. Her choices on this record are so out there and wild, and I was onboard with them. There’s multiple tracks where she just does, like, a heavy metal growl and screech. So cool.
Really theatrical, you have to be in the right mood for this one
What a strange album.
Ok
Bush's most Bowie-like record, in terms of attitude & theatrical antics, The Dreaming is weird even for Kate's performative standards. 'You learn to ride the Earth / When you're living on your belly / & the enemy is city-birth.' I've got no clue what that means, & it doesn't strike me as necessary to go find out what it may signify. W/ this said, this is no pretentious album, & by the time 'Suspended in Gaffa' concludes, you've been seized by what can be called Bush's magnetic creativity. There are artists & albums that, w/o any lingering doubt, exhibit the highest levels of creative energy, but they end up leaving you cold & uninspired. This is not that, & as much as I love Wuthering Heights & Running Up That Hill, as a full project, this is the best.
BAU
I did not like this as much as I did Hounds of Love, but you can hear how she is finding her sound in this album. At the backend of Disco, and the start of british pop, this is a detraction away from both filled with lots of notable songs. I am not sure I would listen to it again, but I still enjoyed the listen. The second half of the album was significantly better and the standout song was either Night of the Swallow, or Get out of my House. 3.5 stars
Great, weird, spooky. Fun to hear her yell hard. Love it!
This sounded different than I expected it to, I don’t know how I feel about it now. Playlist add: "Night of the Swallow"
There is also a thing as "too much Kate Bush"... The constant up-and-down with her high voice is quite annoying.
Dreamy alt rock
Aw man, I really wanted to like this. I was so excited to see this was on the docket! Unfortunately all I could think about the whole time was that she sounds like Toad. Still very talented and the production was good, but I won't be returning. 6/10
Rating: 4.9/5 Short Review: Wild, theatrical, and completely uncompromising. Feels like someone turning their subconscious directly into sound. Strange, emotional, unsettling, playful… somehow all at once. Favorite Track: “Night of the Swallow.” Beautiful and anxious at the same time. The shifting rhythms and emotional intensity feel almost dreamlike.
As with many experimental albums, there are a couple good songs and a few more interesting moments between kinda garish strange songs Highlights: "Suspended In Gaffa", "Night of the Swallow", "Get Out of My House"
Mid
too experimental for me to be able to get into it
I read the entry and the artistic regard, but it’s very difficult to listen to.
"Bird impersonator Percy Edwards provided sheep noises."
I lovee this albumm i listen to kate bush a lottt
One of the icons of art pop creating an iconic album
Is this the most challenging listen amongst Kate Bush albums?
1978 debut - can her her mark on Bjork Really fantastic listen
This is a tough one. I’ve given it quite a few listens, and whether I enjoy it or not really depends on my mood. I can absolutely hear how influential this album was on a lot of later artists, but it’s so experimental and eccentric that you really have to be in the right mindset for it. Definitely not a very accessible album.
Busy! Ran behind today, stealing in only a couple of playthroughs, neither the close listen this warrants. Si, I peeked at your review for a steer while listening and was pleased to see Joni mentioned - picked that up too, should’ve picked up Peter Gabriel too. Its maximalist, cut-up nature feels precursor to late Talk Talk. And hello Danny Thomps, always a pleasure!
Probably the most *fun* album in her catalog. It's not as weird as its reputation (donkey noises and Rolf Harris notwithstanding); the preceding "Never For Ever" is weirder if anything. Her production and sound palletes may be a bit harsh for some, but it sounds to me like the bastard child of Joni Mitchell and Peter Gabriel and, naturally, I love it.
She is truly an inspiration for tone deaf people everywhere
kind of faded into the background
(3/7) didn't really speak to me
This was pretty interesting, I'm just not really sure if I get it? It's just a lot of howling and moody instrumentals and stuff. Idk, will have to give it another listen sometime and see if I get anything else out of it.
I know that I should like Kate Bush, but I just can’t stand some of the terrible background noises.
Love me a weird songstress
i really like the cover. this album is really fun but the only thing i don't like is sometimes her screaming gets a bit too much for me
Well, I’m not sure I enjoyed it, but I certainly wasn’t bored.
That was not my kind of weird. I hated the screaming. Night Of The Swallow was my favourite.
I like Kate Bush but this felt average to me. Maybe I’m just not in the headspace for it.
Didn't like anything about it.
I like a lot of weird shit, but not this.
she's special!
Only maybe my fourth favorite Kate Bush Album, but still a 4
I have definitely heard this album before --maybe a roommate had it? A little feminine weirdness is definitely welcome.
Olihan hieno ja monipuolinen ääni!
On tää Bushi vähän erikoista.
I love Kate Bush so this was fun but it’s not a must listen imho.
#127/1001 🇬🇧 This isn't an album that i'm familliar with. I do like Kate Bush as a rule but this a more challenging listen this morning. I'm going to give it another spin later. 2 listens later, once in the car and then making dinner and it really grows. My wife even enjoyed it and she's not a fan. Best Tracks: Night of the Swallow, Sat in Your Lap, Suspended in Gaffa.
Incredible little album.
was soll das toad feature auf dem ersten track? einzelne ansätze waren gut aber sehr durcheinander. eigentlich ist das ganze album ein durcheinander aber mehr wie ein autounfall und nicht wie ein künstlerchaos.
Too out there for me
Love her & her wonderful voice
Very eclectic and scattered. Beautiful voice, but this album was all over the place and just not cohesive.
3.5/5
it's just so bizarre and captivating. love it.
No such thing as a bad Kate Bush album. Was working in a record store when this album came out. It was different from anything else. Her later albums only got better.
I understand that she is an icon. I acknowledge that under any other circumstance, I may give this album 4 or even 5 stars. But if it weren't for the fact that I've heard her most popular songs approximately 30,000 times each, these songs would be downright intolerable to me. Even having heard her more popular songs a kajillion times, which I DO enjoy, I cannot STAAAAAAND her voice. It's nails on a chalkboard to me. Reminds me of Marina Diamandis' voice where she sounds find when singing Normally and at a lower register, but the instant she gets loud you want to be like "shhhhhhhhush. shut up. hush. quiet. sing like a normal person or be quiet"
Fuck this
Unlistenable
Fuck this
I'm trying to see the vision that is Kate Bush. It's a weird album but she really pulls it off. Not sure that I would listen to this one on repeat but I did enjoy some of the songs.
Very spicy and interesting, a whole album was a bit much maybe? But still very much enjoyed 3+
I like it. "Night of the Swallow," "The Dreaming," "All the Love" — which I just realized start side 2, although not in quite that order — are all things I've now listened to more than once. Actually, the more I listen, the more I appreciate the entire album.
Some of these songs are out there, good on her for being creative but not really my cup of tea
Wild
Silly Bush
I don't like the overwhelming majority of 80s pop music. This music on this album is no exception. However, she's getting a three because I like her voice.
literally the best album in the world
That was not quite as good as "Hounds of Love". An especially rough and grating start. I do think there is something here but not well developed. Almost as if she tries to be too artsy... 2/5
She's has a very unique sound, somewhere in the middle for me
Favorite track(s): all of them Some of the most brilliant, inventive pop music ever written. And ackshually I liked her before Stranger Things. Heard before Previous rating: 10/10
Felt like a far cry from Running Up That Hill. I was getting Elvis Costello vibes, which is never a good sign.
A fun album that I'm sure would grow more on me with multiple revisits. The Dreaming was the highlight track to me. I love the range of dynamics and the flipping between calm and crazy, traditional and dischordant. Houdini highlighted this nicely.
Kate Bush seems to be an acquired taste that I am having difficulty acquiring.
I appreciate what Kate Bush is and her approach to her songwriting. She pushes when others pull. She zigs to the industry’s zags. I love that a whole lot folks discovered her with Running Up That Hill found second-fame in Stranger Things. Well deserved. The samples and tones she employs here were truly avant guard when this was released and that’s worth celebrating. Her song craft has been directly and indirectly ripped off a million times over since. I just can’t get to this album. I’m the one who’s too thick and shallow to fully appreciate.
This is, bar none, Kate Bush’s most uncompromising work; as such, I can only seriously recommend it to those already seasoned in experimental music, or die-hard Kate Bush fans. Thankfully, I’m both, so I had a great time. +1 for making people who I think are knobs angry, as well.
I like her later stuff, but this was too unfocused for my taste.
I don’t understand Kate Bush at all. This is just not for me.
Sometimes the instrumentation gave me pause like what was she thinking but then the songs came together and she shows once again how she’s one of the best to ever do it
#927. That first song is aggressively bad. And the rest aren't much better if we're being honest. 2/5: shit
Just no
Eikös Kate Bush ole arvostettu ja erittäin menestynyt brittisrtisti? Ja eikös tämäkin levy ole ollut aikanaan arvostelu- ja myyntimenestys? Ihmettelen suuresti. Yksi huonoimmista levyistä joita olen kuullut koskaan. Tekotaiteellista paskaa. Bushilla voi olla vaikka miten hieno ääni mutta koko albumi tällaista falsettikiekumista ja huutoa on raskasta kuunnella. En kerta kaikkiaan keksi mitään hyvää sanottavaa. Pitäisikö, onhan kyseessä merkittävä naisartisti? Olkoon vaan, huono mikä huono! Ihmettelen myös sitä, miten matalalla rima on ollut tällaista julkaista ja mikä tässä on ollut sellaista, että ilmeisesti ainakin britit ovat tästä hullaantuneet. Oli miten oli, en ymmärrä ja kuulostaa hirveältä ka lähinnä ärsyttää. 1/5
Amazing Kate Bush., Everyone should listen to this one.
Interesting but weird album Standout song Night of the swallow
Definitely like the other Kate Bush album I got. Not that this one is bad, its kinda gives me Tom Waits vibes (and honestly preferred her over Waits), but the experimentalism wasn't working for me as much on this one as it did on Hounds of Love.
Not great.
Weird but approachable. Im glad I heard this.
Funky stuff!
A theater kid's fever dream. Too weird for me.
Interesting as it was ..not something I would listen to regularly. Some good singles
Too weird / clowny for me
An important record, because it sets up Bush for a legendary run through the 80s. But on its own, The Dreaming is a little too weird for a lot of repeat listens.
Didn't love this one.
scary circus clown music no gracias
An album that feels overproduced and lacking in the confidence Bush would later show in her exquisite follow-up: Hounds of Love. A few tracks, especially the closing "Get Out of My House," forecast the heights she will soon be going to. Most of the rest are the kind of hit or miss efforts of someone just starting to get her footing.
I’m only familiar with Running Up That Hill from Stranger Things. Unfortunately, Kate is not the type of artist that I gravitate towards.
favoritas: sat in your lap, suspended in gaffa, night of the swallow, get out of my house
I love Kate Bush, but this one is wild and a lot of it is not worth a re-listen. Kind of sounds like an acid trip that gets progressively worse as the album continues. Still, I admire her ability to make music no one else will - or really can, for that matter.
Great Stuff Peak pop
The Dreaming is less of a pop album and more of a soundtrack to an imaginary - and insane - musical. While Bush is best known for the huge hooks on her next album, there's basically nothing similar to that here. Choruses are subtler, songs are more formless, and the production is layered and borders on messy. It's an impressive package, but one I find fairly difficult to swallow. The theatrics fall flat for me; it feels like there should be a story running through this, but if there is, I've missed it. The wild vocals on the title track are probably exciting if you've bought into the sound, but if you haven't they're just grating. There's just to much going on here without identifiable hooks for me to find anything to grasp onto. Braying like a donkey doesn't automatically make a song bad, but it's certainly not going to win over anyone that wasn't already in love with this.
Kate Bush nije za svakoga i to znam po činjenici da ja uvijek prebacim stanicu ili kanal kada naiđe neka njena pjesma. Ali ovo je onaj ne-mainstream novi poremećeni nivo. I stvarno nije za mene, ne mogu čak ni cijeniti umjetničku kvalitetu, ali brat Hamza koji svira kontrabas na pjesmi 3 je donio dvicu.
One thing I've been learning from the outliers section of my history on this site is that I clearly have higher than average tolerance levels for quirky/challenging female artists. Bjork, Joanna Newsome, PJ Harvey, Fetch the Bolt Cutters-era Fiona Apple, I love you all, so how can I not love the final boss of quirky/challenging female artists at her weirdest?
Why did I not know about this earlier?Awesome.
Suck me hollow, Stranger Things. You chose the most boring Kate Bush song to bring to the zeitgeist. They do NOT know ball. That said, even though you will never see any single in this album top a chart, it's such a satisfying and smooth transition from the first track to the last. This album might be her most noticeably British one too.
Yeah, this was awesome to me. Dramatic. Interesting. I didn't quite get it the first listen, but the final track made it all click for me somehow and might be my favorite, and when I listened over I'd like it more and more. It has to get a 5 from me. This was really deeply artistic and unconventional and uninhibited and just stands out for me.
O jee. Kate Bush was niet tevreden met de dromerige, licht dwarse maar alleszins acceptabele krijspop die ze maakte. Nee, het moest vreemder, schurender, dissonanter. En irritanter. De gekkigheid rijst de pan uit, maar het is niet fijn luisteren meer. Wat ongetwijfeld de bedoeling was.
Dreaming. Tja, dromerig kan ik het niet noemen..Het schiet heel wat kanten op. Van eigenlijk vrij toegankelijk naar geschreeuw. In vergelijking met haar soortgenoten, kan ik ook de Kate van dit album weer iets makkelijker hebben. Ja, het is kunst omdat het moet. Maar dat levert toch ook originele prettige vondsten op. Het is echt dat geschreeuw tussendoor waar ik op afknap. Anders had dit best 4 sterren kunnen krijgen.
Dit is het derde en laatste album van Kate Bush dat we voor onze kiezen krijgen. Dat check ik toch altijd even van tevoren, zeker zo op het einde van de lijst. Wat me daarbij gelijk opvalt, is dat dit dus haar 4e album is dat ze uit heeft gebracht, maar ook het oudste dat in de snoblijst staat. De snobs kiezen er voor om niet het debuut uit te kiezen of uberhaupt een van de eerste drie albums. Die zullen dan wel vrij obscuur zijn, denk je dan. Hoe vaak gebeurt dat niet bij dit soort artiesten? Wat blijkt: haar debuut heeft onder andere "the man with the child in his eyes" en "wuthering heights". Op album 3 staat "Babooshka". Niet zomaar kleine hitjes me dunkt. Bovendien zijn de 1e 3 albums multiplatina gegaan. En dit album: zilver. Het slechts verkochte album van Kate Bush aller tijden. Waarom staat dit in godsnaam in deze lijst??! Waar slaat dit op? De muziek is ook gewoon ronduit kut. Het is vaag, ze wringt haar stem in onmogelijke posities, er zitten slechte geluidseffecten in. En bovendien is het beresaai. De keuze is simpelweg niet uit te leggen. Kies toch gewoon het debuutalbum man, dat heb ik gewoon zonder problemen hierna opgezet. Ik ga voor dit album een hele grote dikke vette 1 geven, omdat de snobs wat mij betreft allemaal ontslagen mogen worden. Wat een stelletje zelfingenomen flapdrollen zijn het toch
Couldn't decide if the music bored me or annoyed me more.
This is the album of a WEIRD woman. Who rocks.
Super interesting, weird and unique.
Définitivement pas pour les faibles. 4.5 étoiles
Limited doses
was at a bar recently while a karaoke night was going on and somebody tried to do a kate bush song. they botched it so badly it gave me a new greater respect for her ability overall. 3.5
Eh, DNF. Not terrible. 2.5
Forgettable...
Wow. This whole album was way weirder than I was expecting. In the best way. Some songs sound like 4 genres in one. Also, those drums that kick off track one...
Not a KB fan. 2
Not my favorite Kate Bush album, but still a vibe. One of the few albums so far in this project that I already had downloaded on my phone.
You know I've got a lot of time for this. You can't accuse Kate Bush of being boring, and I respect how weird, bold and out there this is. I can see how her music would have influenced some other artists too. Even though it's kind of different, it reminds me of Janelle Monae's ArchAndroid in places, and how weird and quirky that can be. Just that complete lack of fear to stick it all out there and do whatever the fuck you want. You have to admire her as an artist, although I concede that some bits of this are objectively hilarious. I like that though. 3.5 rounded up.