Reviews (page 10 of 16)
This album is greater than the sum of its songs, and it really needs to be listened to in one sitting. I liked it better each time.
I need to listen to this again to take it in more fully.
Meh.
She’s so real for this
Not great although running up that hill is sick.
Running up that hill has been a song I have loved for many years and the spike in popularity last year was well deserved. Other than that I don't know if I have listened to Kate Bush at all so this was something I looked forward to as I saw todays album. It was a mixed bag for me though. Some songs were slow or had strange rhythms that I didn't enjoy at all. Others were really atmospheric and I liked them a lot. So not something I would listen to every day but certainly some songs that I really enjoy.
Easily one of the most creative and interesting pop album ever made. Kate Bush was never afraid to push boundaries and always challenge what popular music should sound like, and this right her is her masterpiece. Side A while still fantastic definitely is the more "radio friendly" half of the album, and side B is full of uniqueness and innovation.
9/10 Kocham Tori Amos. Kocham Bjork. Więc to oczywiste, że kocham też Kate Bush. Eksperymentalny pop. Jednostka wybitna i skrajnie oryginalna. Śpiewa to co chce i tak jak chce. Zostawiam kawałek mojej duszy przy tej płycie
Indispensable.
Love it!
***an ok, easy listening album.
This I often do not do. Generally I hold very tightly to my ratings and find it important overall not to be haphazard and just throw out random ratings. yet at the same time this is NOT a random rating. The more I hear Kate Bush, of which I have always been a fan (being a child of the 80's and all), the more she grows on me as a songwriter and a storyteller. This album is not homogenized and overproduced and predictable. It is still as fresh as it was the day it was released and is brave and open and emotional. Really what else is there for music to be?
Starts really good, then loses its way a bit as the album goes on
Enjoyable
good all round listen, starts very strongly
Warbly
Did not enjoy. 2/5
Some of these songs are great, but what's with all the corny sound effects? No wonder the Duffer Brothers wanted "Running Up That Hill" for "Stranger Things" ... they probably listened to a lot of "Waking the Witch" while writing the show.
Sound from gone times but worth listening.
Dreamy and ethereal. beautiful composition, a little weird and abnormal but super cohesive and coherent. cool listen as a whole, chill and interesting vibes all around just a little too experimental for my taste
She’s cool but the production on this is SO dated.
What a unique sound. I loved it.
ok
Listened before!
The album felt like one big mood and it is very enjoyable, but didn’t feel further creative for what it expresses.
How can one woman write and produce all of this? Kate Bush created an album that feels completely timeless. it’s honestly hard to believe this masterpiece came out nearly 40 years ago. The sound is still so fresh, never once feeling dated. The tracklist is stacked with great songs, balancing experimental ambition with pure pop brilliance. Kate’s writing and production are flawless, and her singing… oh my god. She delivers emotion, drama, and beauty like no one else could. Hounds of Love is an album that never bores you, no matter how many times you revisit it. It’s one of the greatest pop albums ever made, and a perfect showcase of Kate Bush’s genius.
80s Queen
a bit overrated. the big tracks rock, lotsa filler tracks though
I'd be amazed if there's another record as weird as this one on the list, and I really appreciate how singular and unique it is. A true one off.
Not sure how this album made it on this list.
The sudden success of "Running Up That Hill" reminded us that Kate Bush is a truly great artist and reminded us how timeless "Hounds Of Love" sounds regardless of the era with its ethereal sound yet so powerful in its emotional charge. It was good to revisit this album because it reminds us that Kate Bush is a legend and will always be in our hearts.
Not something I would listen to often, but I will have to give her props for doing her style very well (and much better than some of her contemporaries). It's experimental, but it's still identifiable as music. I respect that.
Great
An absolute classic. So many textures and musical ideas but so truly reflected in the concept. A truly original sound and a truly original artist.
phenomenal. Thanks Kate for everything
incredible
ну хел е конечно классика тут все заметчально почти каждый трек хит, ну база база
Interesting production, songs were ok, high 2.
There were parts of it I liked, I will need to listen to it a bit more.
The only good memories associated with this album, Kate Bush's voice is so lovely. Quite a few of the songs already in the rotation. Just going to add the whole album now
it's weird how this album ends with cloud busting 100 times in a row
I enjoyed this far more than I expected. Some very dreamy songs
Fun and funky in a good way. On songs I didn't like as much upon a first listen, once looking at the lyrics I still appreciated the amazing storytelling.
One of the most 80's albums
Like many people, I first heard of Kate Bush when her single "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" saw a resurgence in popularity after being used in the soundtrack for the show Stranger Things. I genuinely enjoyed that track and was amazed to hear it on modern-day pop radio, what with its percussive gallop, the accompanying synthesizer made to sound like a cello, and Kate's profound lyrics about having man and woman "swap places" to understand one another better and bridge the gender divide. It was extraordinary to experience, and after listening to Hounds of Love, I can say that specialness extends to the rest of this album. Starting on side one, Hounds of Love is front-loaded with the pop bangers Kate crafted and self-produced. Each of these tracks is accompanied by pounding drum beats, light synthesizer motifs, Kate's soprano vocal delivery that's as comforting as a pillow, and some commanding distinct elements. Whether it's Kate's crooning dog barks on the title track, the full band accompaniment on "The Big Sky", the somber piano and theremin on "Mother Stands for Comfort", or the string arrangement on "Cloudbusting", these songs offer a unique perspective into the eloquent soundscape created. If this album were just side one, it would have been a standout in my book. But, the addition of side two takes it to the next level. Kate has spoken about how side two, The Ninth Wave, is comparable to a film, wherein the tracks tell a larger narrative about a person lost in the water and the arduous journey of getting back to land. Without giving the full story away, this is some of the most ambitious work I've heard in a pop record, as Kate took full command of this narrative in evoking her nightmares and invigorated spirit in the lyrical imagery. Accenting the story are various musical elements that help paint the scene, including the tense string accompaniment to signify the coldness of the water in "Under Ice", the vocal effects to represent the character's subconscious in "Waking the Witch", and the Irish folk swell of "Jig of Life" for the character's increased adrenaline. It is a narrative that captures the sense of one's survival in a turbulent situation and what goes on in their mind, executed rather beautifully. Hounds of Love is an outstanding album, and I'm glad Kate Bush has seen renewed popularity in recent years. This record stands among the greatest of them all.
Weird, unique, and all along surreal. There's a reason Kate Bush has such a strong cult following, and this album shows it better than any other I've heard from her so far.
I had listened to Kate Bush before, but I didn't really connect with her until, like many others, I heard "Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) as a recurring feature in Stranger Things Season 4. The strength of the A-side is incredible. Bush is a tour de force. The B-side is still great, but the sudden shift into a musical theater involving an Ice Witch can cause a bit of whiplash. Not to say those songs aren't interesting or good in their own right, but I'd personally like to hear them in a work of their own, rather than tacked on to the end of this album. "Watching You Without Me" and "The Morning Fog" do help stylistically ground this second half in the world of the first, but it's this inconsistency that keeps me from giving it a higher rating.
This is pure genius. Running Up That Hill, Hounds of Love and Cloudbusting are three of the most perfect songs ever composed. And that’s just in the first half of this record. Kate Bush is a goddess.
Not my kind of music, there's a couple songs I kinda like tho. I can see how someone could like it, but it's not my cup of tea.
It's in the trees! It's coming! Iconic, a genius with a fairlight synthesizer remains an unbeatable genre of album for me.
Not crazy about this one. Bad voice, too pop. Rubbish bin for Bush. I didn't write this but I concur!! - Yohawn :)
So inventive and world building. She should have worked with Enya.
What a genre/storytelling trip
Me: "Why has no one told me this is this good?????" Ron Howard narration: "They had." Better late than never. This was excellent from start to finish.
I gave it my best shot, but no thank you
sure. I think Running Up That Hill is overrated but there were tracks on the album i liked more, which was nice. 2.5
OK I admit that when I got very excited to see this album, I had forgotten that the back half gets 1) a little more experimental than I like and 2) into having the male vocals that I could really leave on the cutting room floor. But it's still very very fun and I love Kate Bush
Meh - not really my thing at all. And the more I hear Kate Bush’s voice the more I find it kinda annoying to be honest. 2.8/3
Starts off with a great song and gets weird from there. 3 stars because running up the hill is a jam
I can see how much of this was quite ground-breaking in the mid-80s. The expressive dancing, the production, the sampling, Bush's voice of course. But for me, it's very dated sounding with its really clean production and liberal use of what I think is fretless bass. And it isn't something I really have any ambition to revisit, although I absolutely think this album has earned its place on this list.
Siendo uno de los LPs más revolucionarios de la historia de la música, "Hounds Of Love" se posiciona orgullosamente en esta lista y con justa razón. El sonido que Kate Bush logra en este trabajo, no solo como compositora, sino también como productora, está por lo menos 20 años adelantado al panorama musical en el que se lanzó. "Hounds of Love" es uno de los pilares fundamentales de la música alternativa, y a pesar de que "Running up that hill" se volvió tremendamente popular gracias a "Stranger Things" (serie que solo ha ganado detractores con el tiempo), este LP no ha perdido ninguna pizca de relevancia o prestigio. Escúchelo, pocos discos son tan buenos como este.
I'm pleasantly surprised! Unfortunately, the name Bush here in the USA isn't associated with such greatness. Some of the most soul-soothing, energetic, and pop-tacular songs are on this album. Favorite Track: "Running Up That Hill(A Deal With God)".
Good
Seeing Kate Bush being thrust back into the limelight in these past couple years due to Stranger Things, and in turn Tik Tok has been wonderful. She has always been great but underrated. Great album from a great artist!
Same as the previous one.
3 Stars (8/15)
Am I being tortured? Back-to-back 80s albums? Really?
Too much drama and angst for my taste!
Interesting album. Some parts are straight 80's pop. Some parts towards the end are world-sound: Watching You Without Met sounds like Peter Gabriel, "Jig of Life" is full Celtic, "Hello Earth" has a classic choir.
Way more listenable than you'd expect for an album whose B-side is a "conceptual suite." Borders on 4-stars, but really only a few songs (including the cult classic turned Stranger Things hit) really rise to those levels.
This is one of those albums where I can recognize how utterly ahead of its time it was, and how it's influenced so many artists (Tori Amos, probably Bjork, Austra, Bat for Lashes, Sarah MacLachlan), but it didn't necessarily hook me - despite multiple listens. Maybe if I'd been old enough to appreciate this in the mid-80s OR heard it when I was a bit more impressionable teen, I'd be completely smitten. As a less impressionable 40 something, this felt more like an interesting curio piece that I'll bump a star for how many artists this influenced.
5/5 - I just didnt think there were any flops on this album tbh and thought it was going to be full of fillers. I just love that she's so unique
I thought this would be an easy 5 for me, but I think it does have its imperfections. As a cohesive piece of art it’s pretty great, but some of the tracks at the start of the second half don’t have much standalone value for me. Still there are so many groundbreaking tracks and ideas here, that are so uniquely Kate Bush, I think it would be a disservice to give it anything less than 5. Fave Tracks: Running Up That Hill, Hounds of Love, The Big Sky, Cloudbusting, Watching You Without Me, The Morning Fog 4.6/5
I had never heard this one before. I only knew Running Up That Hill from the radio. Pretty interesting, solid album. Especially considering this was from 1985, it was a pretty fun listen.
Pretty classic album
Kate Bush is weird, quirky, artsy - in other words wonderful. With Hounds of Love she added inventive, forward thinking, and popular. One of the first popular albums to make extensive use of a Fairlight system, Hound of Love is a tour de force of 80s progressive pop. The title song, Running Up That Hill - an MTV and college radio hit - and Cloudbusting are the highlights but the whole album is amazing. If you can only have one Kate Bush album, this is it. If you have a "ten albums on a dessert island" list, this belongs on it. You won't be disappointed.
The only Kate Bush album that I have listened to repeatedly, over many years.
Not truly a style of music that I gravitate toward, but it was certainly interesting none the less. Lyrics feel more like a story, and at times the music felt muddled and overwhelmed my brain. Mother stands for Comfort honestly made me long for the end, but Under Ice and Waking the witch certainly drew me in, feeling more like a production. Probably not something I would reach for repeatedly, but certainly something I would indulge in again. 3/5
First two songs are amazing, the rest a bit ordinary.
This is like a Cindi Lauper worst hits album. It has all of the most grating parts of her voice, all the worst 80s synth elements, and not one catchy song.
#4 I’m a little confused on this one. It could definitely just be a difference in taste, maybe I’m missing something, or maybe people are flat out crazy, but I have no idea how this album got as many awards as it did. I liked a few of the songs and would definitely save them, but the rest seemed a little too out there for me. I couldn’t really see the vision of cohesiveness or a through line in this album, so to me it just kinda seemed too chaotic and all over the place. Stranger things also ruined the first song for me just cuz it was so overplayed. Was really hopeful for this album but it kinda just amounted to blah. As I said, I think I might just be missing something, but for the amount of songs on the album, compared to the ones I liked, this can only really be a 2 for me personally.
This album is a bit of a mixed bag for me. I had heard a few of the tracks before , but none of those I really loved. So I was mostly interested in discovering the songs I didn't know yet. I think my favourite track is 'Under Ice'. A lot happens on this album and sometimes it's a little bit too much for me to enjoy it, but Kate Bush is a very talented singer clearly.
Yeh pretty good 7/10
What an amazing bush
Imagine how good stranger things would be if that girls favorite song was cloudbusting
Classic, great synth.
top 5 album covers of all time
All the magic you believed in as a child is real, and this music is the proof.
Ah yes, the running up that hill album, that song got played to death a couple of years ago, making it go from rediscovered gem to overplayed. 2*, only because not really my jam. Highlights: jig of life (love the irish influence)
Some really good songs, but also some fillers of the album in my opinion.
Strange in a good way.
From another planet
this was, after some internal debate...pretty good. unique. ballsy.
madonna meets mike oldfield in this great showoff of 80'sness and then suddenly shakira meets enya
A pleasant surprise ... I don't think I've ever really listened to Kate Bush. And for once the 1001 Albums you must hear before you die, does something I think it was intended to do ... introduce us to good music we might otherwise overlook. Thing is, after having to listen to Dr. Dre ... I don't really believe that. But this one - worked! It started out okay, but got better and better. And after listening to it, I went on to some of her other albums. I will be adding her to my favorites list.
I would like to take a moment to recognise the poor guy that tried out this site but ended up getting two Kate Bush albums as his first and second album. https://1001albumsgenerator.com/shares/5fa11a5923dd065578a169f9 The chances of that happening are 0.000766%, or about 1 in 130,548. I hope one day our noble hero returns, and God willing, he gets this album as his third. That being said - did I get a different album as everyone else reviewing this or something? I fucking hated this. It was awfully boring, lame, and weird. Genuinely struggled to finish this one, it took me a couple of attempts because I just wanted to slam my head against my desk whenever another song started playing. Thanks to Stranger Things for reviving this, it should have just been left buried in the 80's like asbestos and leaded petrol - the latter I had an uncontrollable craving for drinking whilst suffering through this.
Hokey 80's theatre kid pop (Complimentary) The Lavender/Violet colour palette of the cover really matches the feeling this album gives, I know Kate Bush to be a bit out there in terms of pop artists which is not something I am against at face value but I was a bit concerned for if I would like all of this going in. Thankfully I was able to really relax and get invested in most of it, some of the songs in the 2nd half felt a bit redundant and like they were lacking something for their duration. I'm glad I am almost completely culturally oblivous to Stranger Things so I can just enjoy Running Up That Hill on its own without any baggage. Highlights: Running Up That Hill, Hounds of Love, And Dream of Sheep, The Morning Fog
Would.
Not as magical this time around probably cause I own it on record and listening to it in my shitty earbuds doesn't compare. Also one of my most relistened albums. Sounds crazy but arguably has 3 of the greatest tracks of all time. Running up that hill, waking the Witch jig of life. And yes I mean all time greatest tracks not just Bush greats or pop greats. Music greats. You could even further the argument and extend it to cloud busting as well. It's a Masterpiece, no ifs or buts. The first time I heard this I was delivering pizzas and I thought I had crashed my car and fucking died and was simply hallucinating finishing the delivery meanwhile my soul stood before St peter. That's how this album makes me feel. 10/10
Pretty front loaded album, Running Up That Hill has been thoroughly ruined by becoming a huge trend online, but is still a great song nonetheless. The production is good and Kate Bush is a great songwriter but this album didn't particularly gel with me, a lot of the songs feel like they are a minute or so longer than they should be and the album itself feels quite long-winded (this feeling definitely peaked for me in Jig of Life). Overall, I did enjoy the album but it's not something I see myself returning to as a whole despite enjoying the major hits from the album. Highlights: Running Up That Hill, Cloudbusting, The Morning Fog
A great listen! Innovation around every corner
decent
Can’t get more 80’s than this. Would give it 3 stars but no matter how much Running up that hill gets overplayed it’s still a great song, bumped it up to 4 stars
I wanna know if this was in the list before stranger things, coz it’s not the best thing I’ve heard
Meh, 80s theatre kid music
It’s not the worst 80’s shot I’ve ever heard, but there’s a lot of shit out there so the bar is so low it’s starting to sink down into the shit
holy moly peak
Pretty good all in all. Love Running Up That Hill obviously, and the rest of the album is enjoyable. Her voice reminds me a lot of Tori Amos. The Irish jig on the second half was unexpected and fun. Definitely need to listen to more of her stuff.
3.5 rounded up i see the vision but idk i just think its overrated….. highlights: hounds of love, the big sky, watching you without me (sep 6 2024)
Very 80s and very fun soothing pop songs fairly good lyrics too.
Kate's Best. Perhaps equal to the quirkier 'The Dreaming'
Bush’s voice throughout Hounds of Love is mesmerizing, ranging from tender and delicate to powerful and theatrical. Her ability to merge genres, from pop and rock to folk and avant-garde, makes this album feel timeless.
Unique poetry, and art piece by Kate Bush, although abused the bagpipes a few times. Favourite songs of the album: Cloud Bursting Running up that hill Hello Earth
A definite banger. Some of her most accessible work but still has her style.
Great
Mainly great
This is a truly exhilarating album even after four decades. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-hounds-of-love-by-kate?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Good but forever tainted by stranger things weirdos
I already loved this album 1. Running Synth sounds on running up that hill are perfect. Drums don’t switch up at all but they’re great 2. Hounds of love Love the pulsing staccato string sound throughout. Same kinda big drums. No hihats 3. The big sky Lead guitar tone is great. Growling. Clappy sounding perc in 16th notes 4. Mother stands for comfort Big crash drum sounds with mellow vibes. Vocals cut through nicely. Haunting synth leads. Nice rhythmic vocal cadence 5. Cloudbusting. No drums at beginning. Nice string melody. Vocal melodies stacking. Good vocal production. Good concept. Marching like drums. Yay-yo vocals at the end are good and catchy 6. Dream of sheep. I like her voice on these haunting piano ballads. Very verby pianos. Guitar towards the end is subtle touch that adds dynamic. Train sound interesting 7. Under ice Haunting. No drums. Main sound sounds like pitched down string sample. Playing with resonance or flutey sound 8. Waking the witch The wake up samples are greats. Surprising beat drop and chaotic sound. Don’t live the deep voices. Not as pleasant as other stuff. Bells are distracting to me too. Probably all purposeful for the witch song though. Synth work is dope. Guilty crowd chant is good 9. Watching you watching me Excellent intro drum beat. Lots of resonant and FM-ish sounds on this album. Reverse vocal towards the end is amazing. Sounds incredible. Nice strings come in too 10. Jig of life Great fiddle intro. Almost eastern but sounds mostly Irish. Sounds way ahead of its time. Sounds like a nelly furtado song from 2000’s at some points. Marches the concept of the song well. Amazing switchup towards the end after quick break 11. Hello earth Love the space intro. Kate and haunting pianos again. Brings out sidfeeent vulnerability in her voice. Break with pitched down vocals was amazing. Great vocal production. Harmonies stacks and all. Haunting harmonies with drone string synth note at the end 12. Morning fog Ending the album on a brighter note with the production. Bass tone is nice. Jerky drum machine drums. Abrupt ending. Love this album even more than last time I listened. 8/10. Sound design was immaculate. Her vibe is very unique and quirky and free
Kathryn notes: First of all, so weird. I literally chatted to charlotte about 5/5 albums and i said this would be one of mine. Will add the girls notes. I’m p sure they also rated 5/5
non m'è piaciuto
Uma música carrega
Eerie and ethereal. Though I admit that I was one of the millions who made their way into Kate Bush's catalogue due to "Stranger Things," "Running Up That Hill" is still the best track on this album. "Cloudbursting" was also good.
This sounded like an instant classic when it first came out in 1985. Today, it sounds like a timeless classic. Bush is amazing! I can't think of any artist more deserving of the renaissance she got a couple of years ago.
Ughhh absolutely ethereal!! Does it make me wanna die a little bit? Yeah, and come back as a depressed fairy
Like if a witch from the 80s adapted her grimoire into a pop album. Wow
So beautiful and sentimental. from the instrumentals to her singing and the lyrics, everything. also love that I can recognize this served as inspiration for a whole generation of artists.
did not enjoy it and didn't finish listening
very 80s. a few hits but other than that not a crazy album
Really enjoyed this. Almost entirely hits, despite being so diverse. A lot of the album still sounds super fresh. 8.25 / 10
Honestly pretty good excluding the overused tik tok song.
close to 5 but this is a very very strong 4, kate bush you are a actual genius
OH MY GOD YESS YES YES YES I LOVE THIS ALBUM SO SO MUCH KATE BUSH MY ANGEL 10/10 CHRIST ITS SO PERFECT This album literally changed the face of pop music. Big and boisterous but also very tender and intimate, Kate Bush manages to create an album that gets better on every listen. It incorporates so many different styles and subgenres, and the production is so clean and well done. Not even to mention Kate’s voice, which is just entrancing and compliments the sound of this album beautifully. And her vocal arrangements are just incredible, I love how she truly utilizes her voice as an instrument. The lyricism is so captivating (especially on the second side, the concept-ness of it is incredible and worth really actively listening to the lyrics). Will always have more to say but just know I will forever put this album on repeat. 💜
love love love love Favourite songs: - running up that hill - the big sky - cloudbusting - jig of life the intro to waking the witch almost made me cry as well. maybe I'm the witch
Dreamy, experimental pop. The overall feeling of the album is very strong as it is cohesive and things work together. It is the opposite of grounded and that feels good
I used to run a like from stuff like this, but there are not enough genuinely eccentric pop stars these days. I wouldn’t play this often, but I admire the fact that it, and Kate, exists. A little OTT but fun nonetheless. And some great singles.
There's so many emotions tied up in this album. It's a very mournful listening, almost too downbeat. But there's also optimism in Hounds of Love and Cloud Busting. It drifts slightly towards the end with all the fiddly diddly stuff.
kate bush the woman that you ARE.
Kate Bush has been running with the wolves and sharing her singular vision with them. Powerful and sublime, often deeply odd, never less than a masterpiece. Take off my shoes and throw them in the lake!
god she's so weird what's happening here. 10/10 no notes. favourite tracks: cloudbusting (of course) the weeewwoooo noises and faint AWOO in mother stands for comfort watching you without me jig of life (or i might hate it, not sure)
This album was such an odd, magical experience, and nothing else I've heard sounds quite like it. I almost gave it a 4, mostly because I caught my attention drifting during some of the slower tracks. I'm also not a fan of the 80s production gloss that obscures some truly brilliant material. But eventually my mind was changed. The vocalising here is distinctively Kate Bush, and the real highlight of the album - along with the strings, which are generally excellent (Under Ice, Cloudbusting, the title track). The album keeps throwing surprises, twists, and turns at you, whether it be reversed octave-harmonised singing in Watching You Without Me, the exciting medieval battle-esque fiddles in Jig Of Life, or the beautiful overlapping piano and acoustic guitar in And Dream Of Sheep. Kate Bush is honestly one of the most badass artists of the 80s. She pulls off this powerful aura with her voice, songwriting, and experimentation, inspiring the likes of Bjork and other atmosphere-experimental female artists of the 90s and early 00s. 5/5 Key tracks: Running Up That Hill, Hounds Of Love, And Dream Of Sheep, Jig Of Life, Cloudbusting
Love this album. Saw her concert a few years ago that she pretty much played this album. At that point I realised The second half was a concept album - I had a tape that was a copy
Thank you, Kate Bush - very cool!
I really like the first half of this records. Brilliant popsongs, with an otherworldly quality. The second half is too artsy for me, even if her voice still keeps me interested.
Love / Admiration / Overwhelming / still exploring new things on every listen / out of this world / a million stars album
Wow this came out of nowhere. Started off like 80s pop but with a soul voice, and I enjoyed it. But then it continued to get more experimental, throwing in Celtic music and old hymnal style singing. I enjoyed it a lot.
one of my favorite albums ever. cloudbusting one of my favorite songs ever. I think it's universally considered as a masterpiece, what's more to say?
Undeniable masterpiece! Half the album has some of the most perfectly written pop songs of all time, the other half is a highly conceptual song cycle that keeps throwing new ideas and influences at the listener without every losing its focus or becoming cluttered. Truly remarkable in every possible way. Key tracks: Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) Hounds of Love The Big Sky Cloudbusting And Dream of Sheep Jig of Life
I'm not sure if I'm into this kind of eccentric pop. I enjoyed listening, but I probably won't come back to it, save for a couple of tracks that I saved. There was just too much weirdness at times; maybe I'm not enough of a music nerd to get it (the witch song in particular was unbearable to listen to!). I guess I just like my pop to be... poppy. However, I do give her credit for being different and more innovative than other pop artists from her era. 3 stars
amazing album!
Sounds like our current pop, altough a bit more creative and fun. If I was sure it played a part in the current pop landscape I would rate it a hell of a lot lower.
Awesome
Not expecting the mix of music this contained and the unexpected Irish influences. Full of ideas and well executed 4*
Enh, it's okay.
Much, much better than the last Kate Bush album on here.
Always like THE song on this album, RUNNING UP THAT HILL, but there's a lot of other, interesting and original sounds on here, too. A good listen.
Sublime. One of my all time favourites. Kate Bush has always been fearless and this album is a bit bonkers but it just works
Would this album be on the list if the song Running up that Hill wasn’t featured on Stranger Things?
Okay, I expected more
One really good song and a lot of ones I didn’t vibe with
Okay
Classic, a must listen
The Good: The Queen of odd! The Bad: sometimes odd is meant to be good. The Ugly: it took "Stranger Things" to bring this to the masses... During my college days a good buddy of mine handed me a mixed-tape, cause that is what one did back in the days when we still used tapes... Anyway, the song Cloudbusting was on it, and I recall really appreciating the tune, however, as one would need to purchase an album for 1 song, I never did. So, this was a great trip down memory lane for me, and more interestingly was that I really enjoyed the LP. 4*
weird
I respect that everyone seems to love it, but I just really, really don’t get it. “Running Up That Hill” is great, but otherwise…meh. Just not my thing I guess. 2.5/5
Running up that hill is so so good and hounds of love follows up strong but then the rest is just ok
Enjoyed it.
I have always adored Kate Bush’s unique vocal style, distinctive phrasing, and impressive range. As such, I really wanted to love this album. The first half, Hounds of Love, is packed with pop hooks and unforgettable melodies. It has all the big hits, and what sets these tracks apart is how Bush infuses enough quirkiness and inventive touches to keep them fresh, even after all these years. The second half, The Ninth Wave, is more of a mixed experience for me. This conceptual suite follows a character lost at sea, drifting between life and death. I admire the ambition and experimentation—some of the recording techniques were groundbreaking at the time, especially given that Bush recorded it all in her home studio with no label interference. However, the use of vocal effects and a few odd genre turns left me wishing for more of her raw, unadorned vocals. It feels almost sacrilegious to obscure such a beautiful voice. Despite that, the creativity and boldness displayed on the album as a whole showcase Bush’s genius and why her voice was so synonymous with the 80s. Did/Do I own this release? No Does this release belong on the list? Yes Would this release make my personal list? No Will I be listening to it again? "Hounds of Love" and "Running Up That Hill" are eternal classics I'd be glad to hear any day, any time.
One of those artists who I think will never be my thing. Side 2 was more interesting and Jig of Life was my favourite track, but I find her voice a bit weird and off-putting. A unique sound, though, which counts for something on my book.
80s dance jams, also kinda Irish? I liked it...
I like her, but there were only a couple of songs that didn't sound just like all the others. "Running Up That Hill" and "Cloudbusting" were those two. An entire album of her just didn't do it for me.
I genuinely do not understand why all the top commenters are stroking their dicks to this album. It’s fine. It is certainly experimental and progressive for 80s pop, but it doesn’t have enough structure for me to find it interesting. And I don’t personally love Bush’s voice all that much.
I thought her music was unique.
I thought it was good. I like her individuality.
"Waking the witch" was horrible, the other songs were pretty good. Kate Bush is not really my style (80s fem pop), but it was mostly enjoyable. There were some weird moments where the lyrics were intentionally accelerated like it was on fast forward and became gibberish; I don't understand the appeal of that choice.
Волшебный голос, волшебные песни, очень крутой альбом!
Fine. Wouldn't mind listening to it if it came on, wouldn't seek it out. Did have some famous songs I recognized, which is always cool
Oh boy, hold me down, I’m about to gush. It’s just over ten years since Kate Bush returned to the stage for her first shows in 35 years: the record-breaking, resoundingly successful “Before the Dawn” shows. With almost no photos or videos available, they’ve already passed into rock mythology, but they featured almost every song on “Hounds of Love”, including a theatrical rendering of its second side (“The Ninth Wave”) in its entirety. So where was I: enraptured in the audience? Desperately begging for tickets outside the venue? Nope- I was on holiday in a quiet cottage countryside retreat, much like the farmhouse studio where “Hounds of Love” was born, slowly discovering one of my favourite artists of all time. That holiday is inseparable from Kate Bush’s music: I uncovered “The Kick Inside” by the fireside, I danced to “Cloudbusting” on bright summer mornings, I was terrified by “Waking the Witch” at 3am in an old draughty room. The very next month, I left home, became known in university halls as “the one with a crush on Kate Bush”, and enjoyed this beautiful album over and over through those crucial years. It was with me when I laid in the dew-soaked fields after my first deflating night out; took a witchy wander through foggy streets before dawn; attended a concert performance by a premier Bush tribute act. I’m now ten years older, but moments all across this album still hit me like the first time. The way she sings “Hold me down” near the end of the title track. The handclaps and screams in the coda of “The Big Sky”. The chanting prayer in “Waking the Witch”. The haunting Georgian choir in “Hello Earth”. There’s not a single note or step taken out of place. Take the first side: call it overplayed all you like, but “Running Up That Hill” still surges with sensual urgency. “Hounds of Love”- my favourite track on the first side- is still primal and vital. “The Big Sky” expresses the wonder and joy of being alive more than almost any song I can name, and it’s not even the most transcendent song on the album… that goes to the incomparable “Cloudbusting”. And as for “The Ninth Wave”, I don’t have the words. Flawless. While much of Bush’s earlier work- “Babooshka”, “Army Dreamers”, “Wow”, even “Wuthering Heights”- feels a little self-conscious and kitsch after so many years, to my ears none of “Hounds of Love” has aged a day. It’s a masterclass in musical maturation: an artist taking in all she’s learned and unleashing a behemoth, once-in-a-lifetime crystallisation of unassailable talent, perfectly packaged. I’ll love it forever.
Overall a much better album than I expected. Pop isn't really my thing but this album had some standout tracks like Hounds of Love, Waking the Witch, and Jig of Life. I give it a 6.5/10
First two tracks (Running Up That Hill, and Hounds Of Love) are the best. The rest of the album is intriguing enough, but not enough to make me a Bush fan [snigger]
I have this record un vynil. Its great!
Only recognized the first song. Apparently she was pretty big in the 80s. I don't really understand why (although This Woman's Work is spectacular). Waking the Witch was interesting... Overall, probably never need to hear this again (including Running Up that Hill...that song sucks. Ya I said it)
Not a bad album, but I felt it was too repetitive for my liking, and I could only listen to a few tracks before I wanted to stop. Would listen again, but not for a while.
Some fun 80's ballads. Running Up a Hill has had a moment in the past couple years and it deserves it. A few of the songs on the album had a strange demonic/culty energy to them. I enjoyed it, made it more unique.
Please stop singing.
It was more annoying than good. And I think Placebo's cover of Running Up That Hill is much more superior.
Growing up names like Madonna, Cyndi, Toni Basil, Toni Braxton and Whitney ruled the radio. I vaguely remember hearing Kate Bush but she didn’t stand out in the field of R&B queens and pop princesses. After listening to this album I think her music was to cerebral for pop, blending her rich vocals with synth-heavy melancholy. I was surprised when “Deal with God” made such a comeback a few years ago, rumor has it due to the Netflix show Stranger Things. Honestly, Big Sky was a better song. I don’t know if I would listen to this again. After a little while the songs began to blend together for me. Maybe it’s because I had already given my heart to Cyndi and Whitney years ago: one heart but an ear for each.
Interesting fact: I read that due to the popularity that Stranger Things brought to “Running Up That Hill” that Kate Bush was pulling in $400k in royalties on a regular basis now (daily, weekly, monthly? Can’t remember). Good for her! This album is meh. I listened to this and it was okay but outside of “Running Up That Hill” none of the other songs or the album really grabbed me. This is a 2-star album with one 5-star track. I guess that equals 3-stars in my system.
Kate Bush to me has always been inextricably linked with one of my favorite artists, Peter Gabriel. Hounds of Love has so many progressive rock inspirations that it is one of those very few examples of progressive pop music. Instrumentation, lyrics, pure weirdness ('Waking the Witch'!) go hand in hand to create something very unique. It could be released now and still sound fresh and relevant. This is indeed a classic that is really timeless. 4.5⭐️
Finally, I've already landed on The Dreaming and The Sensual World prior to this and its the big payoff. Hounds OF Love is a certifiable masterpiece, its got the monster hit in "Running Up That Hill" but it's also got "Cloudbursting", "The Big Sky", and "Jig Of Life", its got production for days, like that gated reverb drums on the title track. Kate deserved to be a pop star, shame she released this 20 or 30 years before its time.
Good background, not memorable
No likey
Some fine songs but a steady 3 for me.
was about to give it a 2 then a damn medieval solo IN A POP ALBUM appeared, bumping it to a 3 not really my thing but, but the second half (except the first track obviously) was better and i must give it to her for the artistry. read a review mentioning this influencing bjork, and man idk how this kind of music is so popular, but to each his own!
Actually a phenomenal album despite Running Up that Hill being played out so much thanks to Stranger Things and Tik Tok following suit. Orchestral, operatic, telepathic, virtuostic, meloncholy, hopeful and even eclectic. Can't do much more to gas this album up. Sounds fresh even 40 years later.
This is a good album. I was too young for it originally and too old for the stranger things inspired revival, but the hits are british classics. Unlike a lot of 80's albums, this doesn't date at all as its completely unique and of itself not its time. The voice, the experimentation, the pop hooks, the variety of instrumentation, the weird irish trad bit are all delightful. More music should be as weird and brilliant as this
una delle voci più fastidiose a cui riesco a pensare, mi dispiace
Running up hills? No thanks but this album isn't as terrible as forced exercise
I recall trying this on in 1995 or 1996 maybe following a girlfriend telling me how much she loved Kate Bush. I never thought about it much until Stranger Things hit and brought R.U.T.H. roaring back. I like Kate Bush personally. I think she has a cool personality and is a woman of substance. Her music too is a serious effort. I didn't think much of the rest of the album back then, but Under the Ice hit for me a bit this time. It's pretty good. I love how it flows so beautifully into the piano transition of Waking the Witch, a song that takes a surprising turn with its manic second half. Hello Earth is also an excellent effort and I really like it. Overall, I see this as maybe a weirder Tori Amos album. Listenable and enjoyable even if it isn't a top favorite.
Did you know that Hounds of Love is Kate Bush's mating call to Ozzy Osborn!? It's true, look it up. Kate Bush, a longtime fan of Ozzy (and also Sabbath) heard 'Bark at the Moon' in '83 and responded by writing 'Hounds of Love' in '85. (Sure, Ozzy only may have responded because he thought Kate Bush was a line of cocaine). Rumor has it every October 31st at midnight they would rendezvous in the Paris 'moonlight' to consummate their secret love. Without that tidbit of information hiding in the nether regions of the internet, this album would be quite boring ... don't you agree?
I’m glad that the original “Running Up That Hill” again exploded in popularity after its inclusion on “Stranger Things.” It’s a really cool song. But it’s also been covered numerous times since “Hounds of Love” - sometimes better than the original. My favorite is Meg Myers’ 2020 version. Really, the song had already had its resurgence multiple times over the years thanks to Myers and others. The rest of the album never makes it up that hill. I’m generally not a fan of Bush’s voice. Too high and childish - she’s got great range and has a good ability to swing from low and husky to - What was “Waking the Witch”!? Maybe even better suited for a horror show than “Running Up That Hill.” Was Bush trying to have her “Thriller” moment? That deserved a single and a music video, but it did not make for a pleasant listen.
It's clear she was a big influence on Tori Amos but some of the avant garde arrangements (the stretch of Under Ice through Watching You Without Me are intolerable) keep this from being accessible for me. Better than the other two KB albums on this list but only because of Running Up That Hill (still prefer the Meg Myers version).
This album is Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God), which is great, and not much else. The second single, Cloudbusting, is bad. Under Ice is bad. Waking The Witch is bad. Jig Of Life is bad. Parts of this album remind me of the movie Labrynth…a movie I like. Why, like Spyder with a Y, I don’t know.
Incredible album, one of my favourites.
Hadn't heard (and LOVED Cloudbusting, And Dream of Sheep.)
5 out of 5. The second half turning into a musical fever dream with avant garde sounds surprised me in how much I ended up liking it, plus Running Up That Hill is a banger.
Such an iconic opening, 'Running Up That Hill'.
I may give this 4.5 stars, but that's only because there are some times it drags, and the spoken word parts aren't as rewarding on repeat listens. However, the album is pure genius from front to back. Obviously, the hit song is great on all levels, but the rest of the album is also just beautiful and revolutionary. I also hear so much in this album that influenced so many other artists I listen to today.
One of those artists that I know is cool but I haven't explored at all. I think I was right that I wouldn't really get it when I first had friends really into Kate Bush, and am sort of glad to have accidentally waited until I'm more receptive. Really knows how to find the feeling in a song. Makes the very 80s trappings work when they appear. Terrific singer. If pop was like this all the time I'd be down for it. Willing to get wild, leads with the heart, I dig it. Will be listening again. music: appreciated. (⌐■_■)
At the halfway point this thing felt like a easy 5 star. Too bad it lost a bit of momentum with half a handful of weaker songs in the back half. But man does this ever rip. Something Patti-Smith-like about Bush, but with a bang on new wave sensibility. Great production of great songs with a great performer.
I used to think Kate Bush wasn't for me, it was music for grown ups. I must be a real grown up now because I rather enjoyed this. Bush's voice still hits some tones that really put me on edge, so I could never be considered a fan, but I love the music throughout this album. It's all really quite beautiful.
This was better than I remembered. Every song was wonderful. It felt as though it had been written and released this last year and for an album this old and one that I heard growing up in my home, that’s one hell of an achievement.
Top album lots of memories
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Liked the first three tracks, the rest was not my jam
Really surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Not sure what this says about me.
I listened to this like a month ago and thought maybe i didn’t get it but regret giving it another chance. It’s not awful it’s just really not my cup of tea
I genuinely really like Running Up That Hill (shout out to The Vampire Diaries soundtrack) and I ironically love a Kate Bush song not on this album (Wuthering Heights music video 5ever) but the rest of this is very meh for me. For someone who loves theatre and over the top music, the vast majority of this is too out there for me
Kate Bush paved the way to be a 15 year old musical genius. I had really only heard Running Up That Hill when it was on Stranger Things but listening to this whole album was a cooler experience than I had initially thought
I gotta be honest, I found this kind of grating. I know it gets glazed by people who wanna show off their musical street cred to teenagers who just heard of her from Stranger Things. Despite how experimental and interesting some of her sounds were, I can't say I found them all that appealing to listen to.
Hauntingly cinematic. 4
Another perfect album from my favorite musical artist ❤️
This was unexpectedly really good to me. Insane production style for the 80s. She kind of reminds me of Florence and the Machine or that style of like indie pop. This honestly sounds way ahead of its time. I feel like there are a handful of really popular alt-pop or progressive pop artists now that sound a lot like this.
Something I've loved about this project is getting an album, expecting one thing and being totally surprised. I was familiar with Kate Bush, because like most people my age, I watched Stranger Things so I heard "Running Up That Hill" on repeat for the entire month of October in 2022 but I never really listened to much of her stuff. This album really blew me away. Its super varied, obscure, art house even. I kept wondering "who produced this weird mess or rad songs??" It was Kate Bush. She just made a badass album exactly the way she wanted too. Its kind of all over the place in a really good way. The first half feels like Pink Floyd inspired British indie. Its weird, but fun and somewhat easy listening. Then it takes a dark turn and somehow becomes a concept album? Its gets super interesting and really captivated me. She plays with interesting effects, different sounds and genres. It's really cool and varied. I really enjoyed this!
First half is phenomenal and then takes a weird turn....
It's Kate Bush, but it's not really my sound - Jig Of Life is good though.
Den första låten är ju så sjukt bra. Man har höga förväntningar på skivan. Det är inte dålig alls men lite samma variant på låtarna utan att nå Running Up That Hill. Jag gillar lite folkmusik som Jig og Life är kul. På det hela taget en bra skiva. Kates röst är riktigt bra. Tvekar mellan 3 och 4. Så en stark 3a får det bli.
Ja det är bitvis bra. Running up the hill är ju snorbra. Men ingen annan låt när den nivån. En del experimenterande som är meh. Ändå rätt skönt sound.
Första halvan är riktigt jäkla bra och Running up the hill förstås helt enastående bra. Älskar Kates röst och unika uttryck. Den andra mer experimentella halvan är mer ojämn, men som helhet är detta en solklar fyra.
Side 1: Standouts: 1. the big sky 2. mother stands for comfort Insgesamt /5: 4- Side 2: Standouts: 3. hello earth Insgesamt /5: 3- ALBUM GESAMT /5: 3,5-
Thought I was a fan of Kate Bush but this is the first time I listened to this album all the way through and color me impressed. Love the pop sensibilities of side one but totally enjoyed the prog of the '9th Wave' side.
Running Up That Hill is a great song it's just that Stranger Things forever ruined it for me. Favourite Songs: Hounds of Love, The Big Sky, Mother Stands for Comfort, Jig of Life, Hello Earth. Least Favourite Songs: And Dream of Sheep.
A simply good album with songs that admittedly took some growing for me to appreciate, such as the extremely famous Running Up That Hill. The whole album does feel a bit of that 80s age, but it goes for a surreal tone just enough for it to stick out, especially how the instrumentals are a tad more sparse than your average 80s pop song. I think the album gets a little too full of itself during the back half, as while some great songs do still appear, the pseudo-instrumental tracks feel odd and repetitive, even boring at times, and it sours the experience for me. However, there are so many good pop tunes on the A side that I still come away from this album with a positive mindset. I don't think it is one of the best albums of all time, but it's good, and that's satisfying enough for me.
3 st
It's a good record, but it doesn't stick with me outside of the singles. Running up that Hill is an amazing track while Cloudbusting and Hounds of Love are also solid they don't quite reach the same heights. The rest of the album just disappears on me after listening. 2.5 stars rounding up.
Ew
Meh
Never understood why people love her. She's OK.
more like kate awesome
Awesome The pop in this album is so fancy, one of the best albums in the world
Very 80s. One hit for me. Not great as a whole. 2/5
Absolutely bizarre, but in the best way. Love albums like this just due to how different the sound is while still feeling like the decade they’re from.
The album features artistic, alternative pop songs that run counter to anything released today. "Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)" is a beautifully constructed song. I wish that new music was this good.
Amazing weird unique creative album. The witch song is almost a step too far but overall there is nothing like this.
Awesomeness. So glad I finally listened to this entire album.
This is the second Kate Bush album that I have received from this site in a short period of time. In the review of The Dreaming I had said that I needed time to properly digest the songs on that album. Some time passed and things got better. Of course, the fact that today we have an album that starts with one of the best songs of the 80s (Running Up That Hill) helps a lot to get into the mood. Even though it sounds dissonant with reality, the depth she reaches with her voice and her lyrics are extremely real and genuine, apart from the fact that the album's sound is based on the best of the 80s. Today I'm going to give 4 stars, again, with the possibility of giving 5 next time ahaha!
Good voice. Some good songs. Didn’t hit her stride until the tv show.
It is good, but not something I would listen to normally. This just kind of became background noise after a bit, but I enjoyed it enough. The second half does fall off though. above average 3
Still enjoyable
It’s aight
Stranger Things already had me burnt out by her 1 song. Then all the Stranger Things fans made me actually kinda hate it. Ended up keeping this album on repeat & it only got better with each listen. Lol so instead of not liking it, I only kinda dig it.
Some of the songs fell flat for me, but there are plenty of cuts that held my interest. Worth another listen in the future I think.
Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hounds of Love - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Big Sky - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Mother Stands for Comfort - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cloud Busting - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ And Dream of Sheep - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Under Ice - ⭐️⭐️ Waking the Witch - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Watching You Without Me - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jig of Life - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hello Earth - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Morning Fog - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Total - 41/60 Percentage - 68% Rating - 3.4
Not exactly my thing and I dont have that much to say about it, but whatever. She's got a nice voice tho.
I actually wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. It doesn't completely escape the stink of the 80s, as few things from that decade do, but it makes a valiant attempt. Running Up has been a guilty pleasure of mine since it came out.
Very grating 80's sound which I'm not too fond of. Sounds like everything is squished through a narrow tube, which helps to accentuate the vocals which are impressive, as are the lyrics. It's just far enough from pop to be listenable. The 2018 remaster ups the quality and dynamic range. Highlights: Running Up That Hill, Mother Stands For Comfort, And Dream of Sheep, Hello Earth.
the best they ever did it. 100/5
Have owned and loved this album ever since it came out. Kate Bush is one of my absolute favorite artist.
To me this album listens more like performance art than an album that is in any way enjoyable to listen to. There are some tracks that are bearable, but most are such a chore to get through. Either because of the production choices or experimental instrumentation, mostly though, because of Kate's iconic voice. The warbling moaning gets on my nerves before the second song finishes. However, there's no denying Bush's unique and original sound. This album is incredibly inventive and sounds nothing like anything her contemporaries were doing. It was also the inspiration of countless other artists, so she gets a lot of points in those two areas. I just personally cannot enjoy this. I have the thought that maybe it could have been better if she had access to today's technology and could truly musically express herself with no limitations, but this isn't that album. 4/5
First wireless mic!
An incredible album. Groundbreaking, even. It showcases her wonderful vocal range and experimental songwriting, blending elements of Pop, Rock, and Art-Rock. I love it, and recommend it highly.
I can see her allure and why her music connects with so many. But it does nothing for me.
My toxic trait is pointing out that I listened to this album before Stranger Things caused "Running Up That Hill" to have a (admittedly cool and deserved resurgence). I reviewed Kate's The Dreaming a few months ago, and did not care for it at all, which has only made me look forward to reviewing this album even more. Let's dig into this pop masterpiece from my favorite decade of music. "Running Up That Hill" is a fantastic lead-off track for this album. It perfectly establishes the dream-like feel that's going to permeate the rest of the album, and even though it's not structured like a traditional pop song, it's still incredibly accessible, due to the atmosphere it creates to tell the story of a woman who wants to trade places with her lover so she can better understand his point of view. As great as "Running Up That Hill" is though, nothing tops the title track. Musically, this song is about as good as it gets. The booming drums help bolster the narrative of the lyrics, while the synthesizers keep the album's dreamlike feel. The cello parts during the chorus are perfection, especially as a compliment to Kate's wailing "throoooowwww themmmmm in the lake" vocals. "The Big Sky" is perfect too, with its bright piano melody and deep guitar tones. I know I've already rambled on about the first three songs on this album, but "Cloudbursting" is fantastic too. I love the string arrangements, and the dreamy sound is the perfect backdrop for the lyrics' storytelling. It's a perfect closing for the first side of the album. The second side of the album is just as great as the first, although for slightly different reasons. The Ninth Wave story bridges the entire length of the second side of the album, and further showcases Kate's abilities as a poet and a songwriter. Just like the first side of the album, The Ninth Wave is beautiful from start to finish, and feels very much in line with the sound and atmosphere of the first side of the album. I think this album is absolute perfection from start to finish, and it's always a joy to revisit it. As it shakes out, I'll get to review all of Kate Bush's albums in chronological order, and I'm excited for when that third album of hers pops up for me.
This isn't funny. Two Kate Bush albums in three days. This is a lot more enjoyable than The Dreaming. I love the fretless bass on Mother Stands For Comfort and The Morning Fog. 3.5 for this one. Since I gave The Dreaming a 3-star rating and it's really a 2.5, this one averages out at 3 stars!
These are my notes as I was listening: Her voice drives me crazy and the whole album sounds like experimental student work. But … I don’t hate it. 🤷♂️ Honestly, if four guys made this album it would be called Led Zeppelin IV. I actually immediately listened to another Kate Bush album when I finished. Lesson: Stick with it, it grows on you.
kate bush is another musical artist that writes songs like poetry, her whimsical and ethereal tracks are a treat to the ears. the titular track, "running up that hill" got a resurgence a few years back, introducing her artistic works to a more widespread audience. her operatic voice paired with creative synth and sample techniques weave a marvelous collection of songs that will absolutely captivate both young and old. a brilliant anomaly of an album, this is.
OK, but nothing exciting to my ears.
I have never understood this type of music. The 80s just had so much of it. It just feels like mediocre (or even poor) singing backed by synth keyboards and electronic drums. There's nothing particularly exciting about the music and it doesn't feel ground-breaking. The singing on every singing sounds like its using the exact same notes and scales to every other song. Even though they aren't alike other than genre, I feel like Kate Bush feels is the Wish version of Annie Lennox. "Cloudbusting" is the only song on the album I like through the first 5 songs. It has a more orchestrated score and better singing than the previous 4 tracks. In general the second half of the album far exceeds the first half in terms of composition, but it's still just not for me.
horrible
My mum would play this on long car journeys, I must have heard this dozens of times!! Weird and good!
Running up that hill is one of the best songs ever. Never had heard the rest of the album but honestly was a little bit disappointed just due to high hopes. I'd say it's a very cool album, lots of unique sounds and very futuristic. Jig of life and Hello Earth are other standouts. Solid album, maybe not fully my type of music but definitely some great songs.
she's just a fun time. no idea what was going on in the concept half at the end. why was there a witch? no clue. but 10/10 on vibes alone.
The songs all have the same feel and sound and there is not much variety
A lot of it sounds the same to me. She has a nice voice….its really a 2.5 for me…..BUT if I listened again it could be a 3….
Songs sound the same with not much variety
I was absolutely shocked at how much I liked this. I was also profoundly stunned at how many times I thought “I actually believe Kanye that he loves this. I can hear it!!” I also had no idea how badly Tori Amos ripped off/paid homage to Kate Bush. As for the album- I really really liked it but I can’t imagine myself putting it on regularly but I’m not sure…. I may love it. Good thing we have the weekend. Update: I’ve now listened to it 3 full times. I like it a lot. What the hell??
9/10. Great vocals, great music, and great songs. It has a really nice, and enchanting vibe to it. :)
This is simply a statement of artistic grandeur. It is decidedly Pop, but idiosyncratic as it can be. Great songs, great performances, meticulously executed to the smallest detail without any sterile perfectionism. For me, one of the greatest main stream statements ever. Running up that hill never ages for me and I never ever got fed up with it. Thank you, Kate Bush, for this gift.
Erm this the stranger thing album! Frick yea. Real talk im intrigued - track one is really good but its mad overplayed - side A was good but i don't have much to say about it -side b is far more interesting and weird Overall, a very good 80s progressive pop record. You best of both worlds: Side A got bangers and Side B is super weird and whimsical.
I haven't actually listened to a Kate Bush album, for the reason that I resented her legendary status that Netflix Show helped popularise, and I deemed "Running Up That Hill" overrated. Thing is... I accidentally loved it. Stranger Things have happened, I suppose.
I mean...its Hounds of Love. One of the very greatest pop albums of all time. Infinitely replayable, it's crazy how much more I love this album with each listen. It has many of the best songs in her catalogue, and some super artsy experimental stuff near the back half that leaves you feeling a little dazed after listening. It's a truly awe-inspiring album, and I'm definitely far from the first to say this. Although, in my humble opinion, The Dreaming is her very best album, I totally get why this one gets all the praise, it totally deserves it. Was incredibly glad to have the opportunity to hear this again. also....wtf why does this only have a 3.5 here.....
I've never listened much to Kate Bush. Obviously I know 'Running Up That Hill' and have heard 'Cloudbusting' before too, but the rest of her catelog is pretty much unknown to me. I didn't expect such an experimental vibe from the album but I've enjoyed it. It somehow feels very dramatic but also light at times. I think 'And Dream Of Sheep' captures what I mean with a pretty dramatic start that then flows into a more airy and light sound. 'Under Ice' then follows with a very dramatic opening that really creates tension. 'Waking The Witch' starts dramatic, then becomes light and then abruptly transitions into what I think is best described as chaos. 'Jig Of Life' is very folky, and evokes feelings of dancing, but in a slightly discordant way that makes it feel a bit ominous. Standouts Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) Cloudbusting Under Ice Jig Of Life 4/5
Stranger Things up in here. This album is wonderfully weird, and I thoroughly dig it. Truly not a bad song on here. One of my new favorite albums. Highlights: Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) Hounds of Love The Big Sky Waking the Witch Watching You Without Me Jig Of Life
I forgot about Cloudbursting. Waking The Witch probably contributed to the Satanic Panic, which makes me giggle. Jig Of Life wants to be the soundtrack for a fight scene in The Witcher until it turns positive and you realize it's about childbirth.
Si dejamos de lado la canción de correr arriba las colinas, este sigue siendo un buen disco. Bien ochentero, pero en el buen sentido.
Nice 80‘s Wave, Pop art Album with her greatest hits… 6/10
Running Up that Hill is tremendous obviously, that song alone is worth three stars, but nothing else really for me beyond that. Nothing hits the same. It almost starts too high as a track 1 and everything after is just immensely disappointing by comparison.
One of the all time banger albums.
This whole album is banger after banger. An iconic voice and great 80s synth stuff.
Top songs: Running up that hill (A Deal with God) Hello Earth Jig of Life
One of those albums where the chills just don't stop
Her most maximalist and most accessible album, Hounds of Love cannonballs deep into the pool of 80s pop production to immerse the songs in gated drum machine beats, whoompy bass, massive synth lines, huge gospel backing vocals, riffs on the strings, and a kitchen-sink load of sounds and samples. It feels like Peter Gabriel at some points, in the best way. For all the lush production though this is a very cold album, icey and blue and windswept.
What a lovely album on many levels
I just don't get as fanatical about KB as a lot of other people. There are some really great songs on here, no doubt. But others don't quite resonate.
I like the direction and kinda prog pop style (if that’s a thing) but man her voice never gets easier to listen to
Close to a 5 but not quite, falls off a bit as it goes on 87/100
Just magnificent. This is akin to Bowie and better than Roxy Music. This is an art rock classic by a truley unique and amazing talent
The parts I liked would be a solid 4 but some parts veered into hard in the ears territory so had to average it out to a 3. Too gritty at points.
Insanely 80s
I wish Ms. Bush the best of luck in her quest to kill god