Hounds Of Love

incredible

ну хел е конечно классика тут все заметчально почти каждый трек хит, ну база база

it's weird how this album ends with cloud busting 100 times in a row

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.

It's in the trees! It's coming! Iconic, a genius with a fairlight synthesizer remains an unbeatable genre of album for me.

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.

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 Song: "Running Up That Hill(A Deal With God)"

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

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.

What an amazing bush

Imagine how good stranger things would be if that girls favorite song was cloudbusting

Classic, great synth.

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

holy moly peak

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.

A definite banger. Some of her most accessible work but still has her style.

Great

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

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

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.

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

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

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

amazing album!

Sublime. One of my all time favourites. Kate Bush has always been fearless and this album is a bit bonkers but it just works

Волшебный голос, волшебные песни, очень крутой альбом!

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.

I have this record un vynil. Its great!

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.

Incredible album, one of my favourites.

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.

Top album lots of memories

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

My mum would play this on long car journeys, I must have heard this dozens of times!! Weird and good!

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.

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.

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.....

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

One of the all time banger albums.

This whole album is banger after banger. An iconic voice and great 80s synth stuff.

One of those albums where the chills just don't stop

What a lovely album on many levels

Certainly my favourite Kate album. Great songs and storytelling

It's beautiful. The synth tone is beautiful. Classic of classic.

Кейт Буш своим примером такая: дети, если вы пишете авант-поп музыку сегодня, сорок лет спустя всё это может звучать достаточно комфортно для широкой аудитории, чтоб набирать миллиард+ прослушиваний на спотифай. Интересно, насколько популярной была Кейт Буш в восьмидесятые. Воспринимали ли её как такую артистичную и претенциозную, но в своей стихии? Как вот позднюю Бьорк сейчас, например? Мне очень нравится Кейт Буш, но это такая вот любовь из уважения очень часто. Ее песни всегда заходят, но редко пробираются куда-то глубоко, чтоб сказать "воа, Любимая музыка!" Но это великий альбом. Лучшая песня - Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God).

5 fucking stars. Kate Bush's artistry is unmatched. Her vocals, her production, her concepts, the execution of it all. She is one of my favorite artists of all time, and though I go back and forth on which of her albums is my favorite, HoL is either #1 or #2. I got to play my vinyl for this one, which has the original mix of The Big Sky. I love the way the drums come right out of the gate, and I can hear so many of the details in the backing vocals so much more clearly. Often times I like to just listen to The Ninth Wave tracks. On one such occasion, I was out walking during sunset on a crisp fall evening. I was looking up at the sky, which was a gorgeous pink/purple, and The Jig of Life was playing. Suddenly a red tailed hawk flew toward me and swooped low directly over my head - I could have touched them if I'd jumped - and then flew off high into the sky behind me. I don't know, maybe they thought my hair bun was a mouse and it was a close call, but it felt like a movie moment. I had chills, and I won't ever forget it.

What an exceptionally good album. Challenging in places, always innovative. I've mentioned before how Bjork and Tori Amos would not be who they were without Kate Bush, and this album absolutely cements that. The only thing to say is that Something Good by the Utah Saints is just better than the original. And the original is great.

perfection. no notes.

It’s perfect too

How fuckin cool. Not only is it proven to be timeless (see running up that hill) but it’s also so experimental and unique. There’s nothing like talented artists doing their own thing. *chefs kiss*

I wondered yesterday as I gave a 5 star review to that days offering and so made it two in a row, if that was the first time I had done that. But before I had time to check this album comes along to make it, without any doubt whatsoever, my first 3 in a row 5 star album. And there are few albums which deserve this accolade more. Another album I needn’t listen to as it’s hardly off my playlist rotation. I’ve been a Kate Bush fan since she first appeared. I have all her albums on multiple formats and was one of the lucky ones who saw her in Manchester during her first 1979 UK tour. As good as this album is and notwithstanding it contains The Ninth Wave, often cited by her fellow contemporaries as one of the best musical suites ever, it is not quite my favourite Kate Bush album. But that is like trying to pick your favourite child - impossible. They’re all bloody good! 5+/5 6/7/24

Great

This album was incredible. I was unaware that Cloudbursting was written by Kate Bush. The rendition done by Matthew Good and Holly McNarland is one of my favourite off of Matthew Good's album 'Chaotic Neutral' - I always thought it was his song. The writing is exceptional, so I naturally thought it was his song. Exceptional song. I'm not sure where to place Kate Bush. She is doing things her way. Each song has incredible emotion in their unique way. I want to say I hear some Joni Mitchell in here, but I think I'm reaching for a reference. I truly think Kate Bush is just Kate Bush. Quirky, weird, talented, progressive.

Awesomely weird and original...poetic without being abstruse.

I’m kicking myself for getting rid of my copy of this on vinyl that I probably got for less than $10 in 2009ish.

Loved it. Though running up that hill will be stuck in my head for at least a week.

unique storytelling half a concept album well made I liked it

Third album on the list and I'm just more in love. Running Up The Hill (A Deal With God) is just epic. Faves from today include The Big Sky and Waking The Witch.

Excellent - my fave of the Kate Bush albums included in the list. She's an amazing talent and I have max respect for the way she's carved out her own path in music and celebhood! Fave tracks - "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" is absolutely epic, and it makes sense it worked tremendously well in Stranger Things. "Cloudbusting" is gloriously positive, and I included a full re-listen of Utah Saint's first album as part of my experience! ✌️

Første halvdel er et vanvittigt mesterværk. Anden halvdel er et undervurderet mesterværk.

Weird, nothing like it, i dont think ive ever liked a pop record as this one as pop is something i rarely listen to. The instrumentals and atmosphere are incredible.

Best album ever. Made a big impact in the 80s and probably the album I listened to the most over the years. The b-sides of the singles are of equal high quality (especially Under the Ivy).

As expected, this is one of the best albums I've rated so far (after 670 ratings), if not the best.

Classic

Just a fantastic pop album

Avant-garde folk/rock, discovered by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd. Amazing.

A classic

wonderful, crazy, colorful, she's a icon, a legend, she is the moment, forever and always

Man I love stranger things

well damn. I already liked the song from Stranger Things, turns out the whole album slaps

First listen: WTF is this? Of course, I've heard the first track before. Classic. The rest though? Second listen: this isn't bad. Third: I love it. What a weird album!

Wake the Witch is the standout track for me on this highly novative album.

Kate Bush the woman you are

Beautiful avant-garde pop music. Timeless and unique. There’s something exciting and unexpected hiding around every corner.

One of my favorites of all time

I love this album. It’s beautiful, original, and creative, while also managing to be catchy and easy to listen to. This is my kind of pop. If this were the the first time I had listened, I probably would’ve given it a 4 (some parts come off a bit cheesy, I’ll admit), but it benefits from familiarity and sentimentality. 4.5 rounded up.

OH I'VE ALREADY LISTENED TO THIS !! LOVE IT I love how it's split with the singles on the first side and the concept album part on the second side. So amazing, powerful, thrilling AND captivating.

Kate Bush is a singular artist. A beacon of light in a sea of darkness, and this is her at her absolute peak. There has never and will never be anything else like this.

Running Up That Hill, Hounds of Love and Cloudbusting have nothing to prove to me, but I’m still left with two questions... One, do the other tracks get sufficiently close to matching this quality to justify 'classic' status for the album as a whole? And two, is Cloudbusting the best of the three? The answer to both is: probably, just about. Some of the second half took a while to grow on me but now I think it’s all decent, and some of it’s great (Jig of Life!). Surprisingly I think The Dreaming remains my favourite Kate Bush album so far, but it’s hardly an injustice that this is the one that gets all the praise. 4.5

Haven't heard any Kate Bush beforehand, but her voice is so angelic and heavenly. "Hounds Of Love" sounds like an opera.

Experimental, ethereal, all while remaining an absolute delightful listen. Loved it.

Seriously one of the best albums. Production is amazing. Great performances. All that.

Wow this album was wild. Really enjoyed it as my first one!

Todas las estrellas y mi eterno amor, Kate.

The original Weird Girl™️ album, and maybe the best. And I say that as a Certified Weird Girl™️. It just sounds like feminine transcendence, feminine exploration, and the female psyche; it speaks to my soul in a way I could never put into words. Top 5 Dead or Alive, easy.

9/10 aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Kate Bush...*catches breath* aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. You're arguments to the contrary are invalid. good day. 5-17-2024

“Running Up That Hill”, ja das ist die Aufgabe dieser abwechslungsreichen und spannenden Platte. Der leicht ansteigende Weg, des klangvollen “Mother Stands For Comfort“, die unfassbare Abstieg mit der klaren Stimme in „Cloudbasting“ und „And Dream Of Sheep“ sowie der Folk-Gipfel „Jig of Life“ machen das Album zum Sprint auf den Hügel 😊. Zum verdammten Wiederhören.

Experimental, etéreo e único. É diferente dos álbuns dos anos 80 que ouvi por aqui até agora e da músicas popular dessa década no geral. Tem músicas que nem parecem exatamente música, mas de um jeito bom, contribuindo para narrativa sonora e fantástica do álbum.

I'll admit I've only heard of Kate Bush because of Stranger Things, and while Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) is a very good song, it did not prepare me for the rest of this album, which was also very good but in different ways.

One of the best albums ever. Her voval work is incredddible and I've never tired fo this album. It was way ahead of it's time

Experimental, conceptual, extremely catchy. 80s’ Pop at his finest. Amazing record.

If you can hear Cloudbusting without spontaneously tearing up with joy then congratulations for being less embarrassing on a train than I am I guess

Best Kate Bush album, by far. Always an enjoyable listen.

Kate Bush at the height of her career, a must listen.

My favorite Kate Bush album. A milestone!

I think Kate Bush is mostly an artist you either love or hate. I’m on the love side. Does every little choice completely work for me? No. But as a complete work this is challenging, trippy, and has more than enough pop hooks with ethereal vocals to make me adore it. 5/5

A classic and iconic album. If you like Kate you’ll love this. If you don’t like her theatrical style, well… interestingly this was a re-emergence album after her original tsunami (wuthering heights etc) yet she never really came back. Made a ton of money though, and deserved. She added to the oeuvre. Many of us fancied her, and now we’re old, we still do. The ultimate ex girlfriend.

I think that this album is perfect and really under appreciated and undervalued. Kate Bush is peerless.

The finest work from one of the best to ever do it. The first half is full of such iconic and amazing songs, and the second half is a beautiful and bizarre opus. Not much more to say, it’s just fantastic - even now, almost 40 years later, I don’t think there’s anything quite like it

I had never heard the whole album. Perfection!

I first heard of Kate Bush a couple years ago as ‘Running up the hill’ was surging in the charts (thanks to Stranger Things, I now learn), and Rick Beato breaking down the song. Listening through now, the whole album is a true experience. The 80s peek through the curtains but I also feel this could have been released any time since and it would fit in. Mix of pop with much more experimental stuff. Both lyrically and melodicly interesting, it was a pleasure to be (finally) introduced to this album. 5/5

love lovelove

I listened to this album at least three times today. It was amazing the first two times, but I was considering rating it as four stars because I zoned out and got distracted from it. The third time I listened to it with headphones, and there is no way I can give this album less than five stars. It deserves more. It's in the pantheon. This record is as full, textured, and layered as any Pink Floyd or Genesis record. I had to read about the production of this album because I couldn't wrap my mind around how a "singer-songwriter" could put together a project with this level of production. I love it. Five stars.

On this album, so dense as to be almost intimidating, Kate Bush is a force. Pop music doesn't seem a fitting enough descriptor for what she does -- she creates worlds. She had somehow escaped me prior to the resurgence of "Running Up That Hill", so I owe a debt to Stranger Things for bringing her music into my life. This album is timeless, beautiful, powerful but still full of joy and life. With the exception of a few less notable numbers on the back half, I don't have much bad to say, so I have little choice but to grant it a full five stars.

Perfection.

An 80s masterpiece with a current revival. The power and beauty still stand tall today.

Side one is, outside of "Running Up That Hill", pretty milquetoast and generic art pop that barely made me feel anything. Side two is an incredible experimental mishmash of genres. A genuine 10/10 experience and some of the best produced and most creative music I've ever heard. Said this a few days ago when I was given another Kate Bush album - she's at her best when she's doing literally anything but her main thing. The children crave more weird Celtic pirate music, Kate. Art pop is out. Goblin music is in. Five out of seven.

One of that either makes me feel like I've been over scoring some of my 5s or that the scale isn't big enough. Unique and incredible.

I'd never quite paid attention to Kate Bush's oeuvre and I'll admit that it was Stranger Things' return of "Running Up That Hill' (and, my daughter playing Babooshka, because TikTok, somehow...?) which brought her into my consciousness and then made me realize and grow my respect for her. Still, this was the first of her albums that I actually listened to and I'm stunned at how mesmerized I am by what, on paper, I should not be exactly be a fan of, "artsy 80ies weirdness"? Nope. This is amazing! An actual, wild masterpiece. Outstanding. Love.

lol I loved "The Dreaming," but it's not surprising that she had to be more normal for this one. Knocked it out of the park! Basically got her and Peter Gabriel holding down the fort of using 80s production soundfront toward artsy ends

Amazing!!

I haven't heard this album in about 30+ years. I forgot how good it was!

5/5. This is the vibe I'm looking for. Love me some progressive pop. It feels like a story being told and this has not aged at all. Correct electronic sounds makes this an 80's, 90's, 2000's album. You can definitely see some influence Bjork took from this. If you just it the songs wash over you, you get enraptured in her worldbuilding and wall of sound. There is definitely a mindset you need to be in to appreciate this, thankfully I was on my listen, but can definitely see a 4 rating especially with the second side. It's a classic for me though.

One of my favorite albums, the two sides work almost as separate pieces. The second half is definitely more challenging but so worth it. Kate Bush is a genius and this is her masterpiece.

mi primer vinilo comprado. el mejor disco de la historia

Not going to lie. I loved this album! Kate Bush has such a creative and interesting style to her music. Will be listening to this one again. 9/10

First album that I’ve listened to previously. This album slaps. My fav on this list so far

The second half is actually what pushes this over the edge for me. An innovative narrative, an Irish jig, and Gregorian chants lmao? I’m so predictable

I'm blown away by the b sides on the album. Absolutely chilling strings and interesting song structure. The synth pop songs are so fascinating. I thought I new what this album woud be based on the hits, which I LOVE, but the b sides are more interesting and maybe better? Hard to say because cloudbursting is one of my favorite songs

Love it

Excellent. Best female artist of all time. Absolutely brilliant 👏

Great.

Fell in love with Kate Bush after listening to this the first time. I’m not a lyrical person but you can’t help but listen to her stories. What a voice.

Not as experimental as the last album, but pristine, big sounding pop with plenty of artfulness. A+

Fantastique

Okay like, the first song is an obvious banger and that's why it was on Stranger Things, but honestly the instrumentals on this are a perfect match for Kate Bush's haunting vocals. I'm very much enjoying this album and adding it to my personal collection.

Innovative

Love Kate Bush, I'm more of a "The Kick Inside" girl. Loved the album much more the second listen. Favorite song: Watching You Without Me, The Big Sky Least Favorite: Running Up that Hill

this my shit yeah girl

classic 80s sound font, golden and light seasoned with a bit gritty darkness. delightfully plays with spoken words and voice effects, culminating in the album’s peak, in my personal opinion, waking the witch.

Only knew of this album because of Stranger Things but actually loved it, such a good voice and sense of drama in each song even the weird ones

I recently read a quote somewhere that said "There are those who love Kate Bush and there are those who are wrong." If I had to leave the earth and could only take three albums, this would be one of them.

My first review on this website and i have to say i'm not disapointed at all ! Never been a pop fan in my life but this record is different. Amazing work ! Love how simple the drums are and how efficient they are. Powerful beggining but maybe the end is even better, it goes crazy to crazier. Running up that hill should be the ending song in my opinion. This was fun and serious at the same time ... strange felling Fav track : Jig Of Life

I would like to be one of those hounds on the cover. ♥️

Rating: 9.5/10 Amazing album, one of the best pop albums of all time and one of the best albums of the 80s. Kate Bush sounds fantastic, she sings with so much emotion and passion which perfectly matches the production and instrumentantation. Instrumentally this album is stellar and gorgeous, mixing a variety of genres and styles. Orchestral elements and piano are prominent throughout the album but there are also elements of traditional pop, rock, folk, and experimental music. The production is incredible, all of the instruments sound so rich and beautiful. This is an album that is creative, experimental, and pushes the boundaries of what pop music can sound like; I love this album and will definitely be returning to it frequently. Favorite songs: Running Up That Hill, Hounds Of Love, The Big Sky, Cloudbusting, Waking The Witch, Watching You Without Me, Jig Of Life, Hello Earth, The Morning Fog. Least favorite songs: Mother Stands For Comfort, And Dream Of Sheep.

hell yes.

Incredible album, one of the greatest ever. One of the first albums I ever bought on vinyl. You a real hater if you can't get down with this

Genius

Classic Kate

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Needed to add an extra star.

I've listened to a couple later Kate bush albums and they are a bit too experimental for me to love. This one on the other hand I found really easy to fall in love with. The production is unique, the songs are catchy, and in the back half of the album she goes for some out-there stuff but it feels like she always anchors you with something you can catch on to. Great album!

This is a monumental work, an album that's the apotheosis of everything that can be done in popular music. There's really nothing else like it in music. Gorgeously crafted arrangements, powerful vocals, lyrics that are equally grandiose and intimate. It's ethereal, intensely unsettling, and strangely, achingly beautiful. The first time I heard this album it was exhilarating, moving me in a way few albums have before or since. I never stopped listening to it, carrying this album through my life with me for nigh 40 years and it still gives me chills. To those of you who are hearing it for the first time, I've got to say, I'm a little jealous. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God), Cloudbusting, Hounds of Love, Jig of Life, Hello Earth, The Big Sky, And Dream of Sheep, Watching You Without Me, Under Ice, The Morning Fog, Mother Stands for Comfort, Waking the Witch

The best artpop album of the 80s

Very unique artist and album.

I don't love everything on here, but it's so great, way ahead of its time, brilliant and experimental.

9/10. I just feel more bad giving it 4 stars cause its a higher 9

Absolutely incredible array of weird, experimental 80s pop(?). Listening to these songs while on a rainy nighttime drive is a vibe. I love this album.

Stranger things introduced me (and many others) to Kate Bush, but the whole album was so good! Nothing else really sounds like this! It's so otherworldly!

Months ago, I told someone that I didn’t really get Kate Bush. Maybe it was something about her songwriting, or voice, or… something? It was never clear to me. I liked her contributions to Peter Gabriel’s albums, but never really got into any of her singles. But I am changed. I am a new man. Because this album is brilliant. I think she’s an artist who can’t be considered off of her singles—she’s an album artist. The pop songs on the first half are the perfect counterbalance to the challenging, curious back half. And to learn that she not only sang and wrote these songs, but also produced the whole album? Very impressive. Anyway, if you need me, I’ll be over here wiping the egg off my face.

Side A of this is one of my favourites of all time. Side B could never get to those heights but still a fantastic album.

Phenomenal, a bop of biblical proportions.

Brilliant album. Kate bush is up there with the best of them. This album manages to be enjoyable to a wide audience without compromising on creativity or overall quality.

Beautiful, yet interesting voice. Great hooks Brilliant opening track. Eerily hypnotic instruments. So far my favourite

Really good. Really enjoyed it. Wasn't too keen on the last couple of songs though. Great album

Girl nerd beats pretentious British prog rockers at their own game.

So innovative

Absolutely fenomenal

Damn. This was absolutely incredible. I've been meaning to check out more of Kate Busy for a long while now. She's collaborated with so many of my favourite artists. And this did not disappoint.

I’ve realised a dilemma with 1001, I need more time to contemplate this album, I think it’s already brilliant but some instances I can’t wrap my head around idk why I take a lot of time to process things, and I dream of sheep almost made me cry, and every song is so different, I’m going to listen to this more, I think I’ve found a new love.

Absolutely magical. Kates ethereal voice paired with the instruments along with the different sorts of sounds present took me on an emotional journey from start to finish. tldr: its peak

It's Hounds of Love, man

Great album, great songs. No more words to say.

This album has a beautiful combination of the ethereal and uplifting.

Always love Kate Bush…no one sounds like her.

If I had to describe this album with one word: dramatic

First 5 tracks are catchy pop tunes. Mother Stands For Comfort is a stand out. On the second half it becomes a bit more experimental and standout tracks are Watching You Without Me and Hello earth, the latter includes amazing vocals from Kate Bush and beautiful Gregorian Chants as background vocals.

Love it! I

a masterpiece that somehow gets better each listen. joy of life was bopping especially hard on this listen.

What can I say this is my favorite piece of recorded music ever made. I’m happy for the prompt to listen to it on any day but this one in particular. This music is woven into the fabric of my life.

Kate Bush didn’t have to go this hard but I’m glad she did. This album definitely has that 80s feel but it is so refreshingly different from most of the other new wave stuff from the decade. The first half of the album is full of the well known hits and the second half of the album is so unique and interesting. Best of both worlds!

A beautiful album that pulls you in at the beginning and keeps you there the whole time. Experiencing a unique album.

One of the all time greats. Listening again it's still as fresh and exciting as ever.

Kate Bush har lavet MINDST 3 5/5 albums. Elsker at første halvdel er ren singler (alle kæmpe bangers) og anden halvdel er en mega eklektisk og eksperimenterende suite der nærmest fungerer som 1 langt nummer

Großartig- running up That Hill war der Knaller

One of the best to ever do it operating at her peak. Opening tracks unassailable. Waking the witch is pretty wack.

A fabulous album which I already knew well. Every track is affecting. The Ninth Wave is a masterpiece of theatre and storytelling. Favourite track probably The Morning Fog.

Running up that Hill reaching a new audience recently shows how an album that’s nearly 40 years old is utterly current. Kate is a bit of a no words are enough artist for me, like David. Fave track: The Big Sky still makes me cry.

Love Kate. Somehow I didn't know about the connected songs, about the "Ninth Wave". I listened to some interview concerning that and found it pretty interesting. Love almost every song on this. Running Up That Hill was how I first found out about her, after hearing it on the radio and finding out that my parents used to listen to her too. Now, Waking The Witch is beautiful too with all those people dear to hear waking her up in the song. She's so creative and imaginative!

Dream-pop on steroids before dream-pop was even a thing. I adore “Running Up That Hill”, and while I knew some of the other hits on this disc, I was totally unfamiliar with the sonic allegory on the flip side. I liked - I shouldn’t have been surprised. This is an iconic 80s album.

Wow. Now this is a great album. It's pretty cool that Kate Bush and her music got a resurgence in popularity recently, and based on this album, which happens to include the song that got really popular, it's absolutely deserved. The sound is quite interesting at times. I really like the usage of different instruments, particular on side A. You've got a cello in the title track, some really good strings in "Cloudbursting" and even a didgeridoo in "The Big Sky". When your album has didgeridoo in it, that automatically earns my respect as an album willing to take interesting directions. The writing is probably the highlight of this album for me. It's very interesting and does a great job at telling the story. Speaking of story, this is somewhat of a concept album, at least for the second half, which tells the story of someone lost at sea. While I do think that the first half is stronger from a music perspective, I highly respect side B, also called "The Ninth Wave" for doing something neat. Overall, this album is excellent and really paved the way for other artists to do similar, yet very different, things with their music. 5/5.

Already listened... life changing i <3 u kate

This is one of my favourite albums of all time, so very happy to give the 2018 remaster another listen. Damn, this album is good. It has artistic vision, it has emotional power, it has happy and sad, it has punchy pop moments and weird experimental ones. It all hangs together well. It's like entering into Kate Bush's immersive world for 47 mins. I could lose 50% of "Waking the Witch" and a couple of minutes from "Hello World" - but otherwise this is perfection. 5*

Simultaneously her most experimental and accessible which is a hell of a trick to pull off The big singles are amazing. The second half of the album deeply weird

Listened to this while playing Paperback Adventures. I lost. One of the great things about going through these albums is discovering artists I was only somewhat familiar with, and learning that I'm actually a HUGE fan of the artist's music. Kate Bush has been a constant surprise. I of course knew the title track and Hounds of Love (what an amazing opening 1-2 punch) but every song was like sonic ear candy. I've also learned the weirder she gets, the more it speaks to me. There were so many beautiful moments, her instrumentation is just fascinating...I loved the chorale moments and the use of instruments native to her region. I can't believe it, but another perfect 5 in my book!

I kind of missed the Kate Bush Era and was excited to listen. A truly great album. Lyrics+music A+

5 stars just for Running Up That Hill and Cloudbusting.... There are some other gems such as The Morning Fog, Watching You Without Me, and of course, the title track. There's a bit of the ridiculous on here too (Waking the Witch, Jig of Life) but no-one can deny that this album is something special overall.

Blind album, know the artist by name and I totally slept on this banger of an album. HOLY CRAP my mind is blown by the diverse production and quality. This is what I've been looking to find and longing to dig up with this project. It's kind of indescribable and unreasonable how I entirely dismissed her and this album and I regret it from the start. I have 0 shame in saying I'm an almost 30 year old male and this is an amazing album and I would listen to this many times over. My deceased acquaintance, who I knew had amazing taste and worked in a record store, had this album in his collection. I still disregarded it. I have regrets not listening to this sooner. I don't even know where to start to describe it. The instruments, the vocal ranges and backing tracks, the melodies and rhythms, astounding...

Eu ouvi esse album bem umas 3 vezes no dia e sinto que ainda faria novamente. A voz da Kate Bush me tira da realidade, eu entro num mundinho separado. A obra é completa pra mim, não tenho do que reclamar seja do vocal, dos instrumentos ou das letras. Perfeito. Fave: Jig of life

Journey from start to finish. Waking the Witch for ASMR and audio thrills. Highlights: Running up that Hill and Cloudbusting

personaly i wasnt wit a good first view because the image of stranger things fanbase it was in my head but before i listened it was changed all my perception of the album. the songs are great, good voice, the vibe made me feels like come back to the 80s (i dunno exactly the decade 💀). i didnt have a negative lifting so yea a good album and a good artist

Ich liebs.

5 - love Kate Bush and this is peak Kate Bush.

p538. 1985. 5 stars. Her best album. Flawless.

Loved it

From the A-Side exuberance to the B-Side chills, this album really hit it out of the park on all counts.

Kate, you've done it again.

Actual bangers

Love Kate, still love this album! 5/5 🌟

Actually Amazing!!!

It’s great. Big fan. Sounds like Bosnian rainbows.

Wish there were half stars because this sits between 4 and 5 for me.

I'm so glad I got to revisit this album today. Everything about Hounds of Love is so perfect and intentional: Kate's vibrant, dark, emotive vocals, the instrumentals, the flow of each track into the next. No skips! She is the blueprint! I'm so ever grateful to her for her art and for inspiring so many artists after her. Tracks that stood out to me upon this revisit: 1 - Running Up That Hill; 2 - Hounds of Love; 3 - The Big Sky; 5 - Cloudbusting; 9 - Watching You Without Me; 11 - Hello Earth; 12 - The Morning Fog Would I revisit this album: YES!

I liked this album. I heard Running Up That Hill when it was released as a single in 1985.

Dramatic, narrative, often dark but always compelling, Hounds of Love by Kate Bush is a masterwork. Conceptually, it's split into two: the first five (ending with Cloudbursting) comprise Hounds of Love while the final seven see subtitled The Ninth Wave - a concept suite said to be about a woman drifting alone at sea. The album is dense with ideas, not only musical but of production and storytelling. Rich with textures, melodies and rhythmic ideas, it leaves an emotional mark. Bush's vocal work is vulnerable and powerful and there's little more you could ask of a singer. Throughout, I was continually reminded of the concept albums of progressive bands like Pink Floyd, or more modern entries from projects like Ayreon and Dream Theater. The song Under Ice should feel familiar to any metal fan, even without distorted guitars. It really is fair to say that everyone ought to listen to Hounds of Love at least once.

🫶🏻

Five star album right there

It was perfect, but it was dang good

Brate ne znan što bi reka. Nisan zna da postoji progresivni pop, a još manje da more zvučat ovako jebeno. Jedan od najboljih albuma koje sam u životu posluša i opet ću. Najbolja pisma: Running up that hill

I was excited for this one coming in and holy heck was I correct in that excitement. The first two tracks are the obvious hits, but the album continues on to invoke a strange, hazy, chilly, waking-dream state of a world. It's hard to pinpoint what exactly I find so good about this. There's such a variety of mood and tone and style, and a few odd tracks I'd never listen to as standalones, but it all fits together so well as an album. I've always meant to listen to more Kate Bush and really glad I did today.

Kate Bush is always good and Running up that Hill has been my favourite of hers for a long time. An enjoyable album with nice softer music, Jig of Life and Hounds of Life were both another highlight to the album.

Utterly brilliant. Not my usual flavour but the songwriting was superb. Loved the last few celtic inspired songs

Dark and twisted -- a total winner.

so good

*obligatory I liked Kate before Stranger Things comment* No one compares when it comes to pop music. Her ear and eye were and still are immaculate, which is why her music resonates so long beyond its heyday and can still reach new heights with no effort on her end. The album is full of highs and lows, a cohesive and exciting collection. Essential listening. A

Firs time I hear Kate Bush, (only one listening). I liked her style, many things happening on her songs. Pop/soft rock (?)

So far ahead of its time.

So Good

Exceptional

Exceptional.

Oh, YES. So happy to see this come up. I love everything that Kate Bush touches (breathes into?). This album is so weird, so cool, so ahead of its time. My only critique is that it starts out with the two best songs on the album and then sort of gets weirder and weirder from that point on, making for an interesting experience. But. KAAAAAAAATE. Love it. 5/5

Was already familiar with Running Up That Hill and liked it, but was surprised the whole rest of the album has a very consistent and similar vibe. Really really liked it. Kind of fantasy-like.

So ahead of her time

My first and still favorite Kate Bush record. Simultaneously experimental and accessible in ways that very few other musicians have achieved. And this one in particular is her most consistent record, divided between a very lush, beautiful, and wild first side, followed by a quieter, sparser, and more heartfelt second side that feels more like a movie soundtrack at times, complimenting her songwriting as an experience in itself. You can't argue with this many hits. I actually always preferred "Cloudbusting", even before "Running Up the Cloud" was mainstreamed. Drops rock in favor of a much more ambient synthpop sound that reminds me of sophistipop acts, very atmospheric and fitting for her ethereal sound. Only weakness is a few tracks were a bit too sparse and lost my attention, particularly "And Dream of Sheep" and "Hello Earth": mostly skippable tracks but doesn't ruin the album. It's just an improvement I could see to make the second side just as impactful as the first. Close enough for me to give full points.

About a year ago I want to a hi-fi listening party in the Hollywood Hills. A group of about 30 of us sat in chairs before enormous (reportedly $16,000) speakers in anticipation of hearing Kate Bush's Hounds of Love. The presenter opened the evening with a lecture on Kate Bush's young career at the time of this record, and played a few selections that helped fill out her world of influences and collaborators. I remember John Martyn's "Over The Hill" being one such track we listened too. We also listened to the earlier Kate Bush song "Babooshka" and learned of the Peter Gabriel meets Fairlight CMI origin story of the sampled sounds of breaking glass on that cut, one of the earliest examples of Fairlight CMI sampling in recorded music (https://vimeo.com/206712365). Then we listened to Hounds of Love, which as everyone says—and as I already knew—is amazing and has all-time classics on it. What was most revealing that night though, was the album's second half, which I had always found to be weird and dull in comparison to the pop-heavy front half. But on those speakers, the album's second side, the operatic "The Ninth Wave" that explores the cycles of death and rebirth, were far and away the most-astoundingly brilliant sonic textures the album had to deliver. My jaw was on the floor.

1984 was Hounds of Love *and* Purple Rain?? Insane. Am I right in saying that those two have no personnel overlap? What was in the air? It’s the LinnDrum again. Damn you, LinnDrum! No, but really. This explosion of artistry from artists who got to be their own producer, thanks to the commercial availability of samplers (The Fairlight) and drum machines (LinnDrum), to do home recording demos. Kate Bush did this, Prince did this. One-human bands, demos then fleshed out by a band and probably a small army of other engineers on 24-track. Winning formula. So now that I know that, and I’ve been disabused of the false belief that this was produced by anyone but Kate Bush herself… this is stunning. We heard her previous album, The Dreaming, and the through-line of her creative outbursts, explosive lines, and, a pure-spirited *witchiness* about her music aesthetically… it’s all here. A super, super creative person is given all the paints in the paintbox to play with, and just makes a masterpiece by having fun. I’m fascinated by these moments, when technology suddenly enables people who wouldn’t make art in the way they do to take ownership of more of the process. It gives me hope that we may yet see some zany, insane, creative geniuses with the same mindset as Kate Bush here. An artistic icon, with probably her most accessible and driving songs ever. I’m glad we got a version of Kate Bush that people can actually parse. God, those ballads though… “And Dream of Sheep.” Stunning. Now I think, between this, Peter Gabriel, Prince… we were blessed. A genuinely insane time of quantum leaps for music. 5/5

magical. starting to get people writing essay long reviews now.

very enjoyable art pop, there's much more to this album than just 'that Starnger things song'. Everyone should listen to this album

Thought it would be just your standard 80s pop songs, but I was pleasantly surprised. The sound was otherworldly, very emotional and surreal. Loved every second of it.

An album to listen to on shrooms. Very experimental and interesting. I didn't expect that.

A bit weak towards the end

Like a strange dream that you keep thinking about throughout the day. Kate Bush has clearly inspired many weird and wonderful artists who came after her. Nearly 40 years old, this album still sounds bold and unique.

Running up that hill. Also some Boards of Canada sounds.

For the longest time, I thought that Kate Bush was holding two oddly shaped blankets on the album cover. Never figured that they were dogs... But, in all seriousness, this is the album that not only cemented Kate Bush's place amongst the pantheon of pop giants but it laid the groundwork for what's to be expected in the decades to come in regards to female musicians coming up with groundbreaking, wide reaching material. Considering what had come before, one wouldn't have been mistaken for not expecting a bona-fide hit out of Kate. Yet she has a habit of proving people wrong all the time. If The Dreaming was considered to be the album where she went "mad" then Hounds of Love not only served as somewhat of a course corrective but a further refinement of what she was offering the masses. And the masses answered in kind with ongoing adoration that persists to this day. Its newfound resonance with the younger generation in recent times is testament to that. A beautiful record with long-lasting importance.

Berry nice! Most songs absolute bangers.

Iconic.

Loved this album and Kate's music overall for a while now, it's got to be a 5. First half is some of the catchiest and easily enjoyable pop music you'll ever hear. The chorus of Running Up That Hill, the strings on Cloudbusting, her vocals on the title track. It's all incredible. Then if that wasn't enough, the whole second half of the album is a single story told through some pretty artsy instrumentals and song structures. She really was a genius for this one.

This is one of those albums that you know is a 5/5 about 20 seconds in to track 2. Running Up that Hill has probably become overplayed in the last 2 years, buts its still fantastic, Big Sky and Hounds of Love are excellent. The album maybe loses a little momentum towards the end but the last track is excellent too. There are similarities to So by Peter Gabriel. Really enjoyable, love this album

Despite being a 100% verified fan of "A Kick Inside", I hadn't heard this album before. I have now, and I will again many times.

For my second Kate Bush record, I think I enjoy this way more than the first. Hounds Of Love is pretty interesting as it's more like Hounds of Love and an additional album, I believe called the Ninth Wave. Each takes up about 20-something minutes of time, so it's pretty evenly split. I'll start with Hounds of Love first, and it's great. While less conceptual than the Ninth Wave, these are the more enjoyable songs, which makes sense as these are easily pop tracks, albeit more artsy. This art-pop is truly fantastic and Kate Bush's vocals feel so breathy and delicate, it's just soothing to the ears. Not to mention this album has some great sounds and ideas. The opener, Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) is a banger. It feels uplifting and powerful even if you don't entirely know what the lyrics mean. The instrumentals soar as Kate Bush deepens her voice a bit during the chorus. It's amazing. It's not my favorite song though as that would be The Big Sky. It feels more rock-adjacent, incorporating a groovy bassline and a nice rhythm to the music. Kate Bush's vocals become more powerful and lively, I truly love this track. I think it may be the bass riff, but it's just perfect. I will mention two other tracks, Mother Stands For Comfort and Cloudbusting. The former is more spacey and ethereal. There's something unnerving about it that reminds me a bit of space rock, which I like. That slower, more ambient-leaning sound is something I've always been a fan of. The latter is the most unique song on this side of the album as it's more orchestral. Stringed instruments really do complement Kate Bush's voice, it's insane. The titular track, though, is pretty weak. Nothing stands out about it. The other half of this album, the Ninth Wave, is more conceptual and ambiguous. As far as I can tell, the story has to do with some woman who's in the sea and is drowning. A lot of the lyrics discuss life and death in a pretty interesting way. This half brings back everything from the first half but adds to it. It takes it to more of an extreme. Hell, there are even bits of heavy metal music (at least the satanic part of metal; also I'm being serious one of the tracks feels heavier and has this demon guy talking during it) and traditional Irish folk music. It really is more of a crazy time. It really works as one full experience instead of individual tracks and really makes you think a bit. That being said, the last track is terrible. It feels so out of place with the last track hinting that the protagonist is dead or is dying and to just go to some upbeat, poppy crap feels really weird. The lyrics seem disconnected as well; I wanna say that this was a last-minute addition that was just added but I actually don't know. It could be true and I wouldn't be surprised if it was the case. With the exception of the titular track and the closer, this was a phenomenal album. Truly great. I am really considering looking past the flaws and admiring it for the bulk of the work, which is great. While I still enjoyed the first Kate Bush album I listened to on here (the Sensual World), this completely blows it out of the water in my opinion. Maybe it's because I understand Kate Bush now and I like her style more, but this is just way better in my opinion. Honestly, though, I kind of want to relisten to the Sensual World. I feel like there is something I missed that I can get if I relistened to it now. That never happens unless a piece of work is good enough to make me want to give a second opinion on a record. This is one of those cases. An easy 10/10.

This would make the top 11 albums of all time. It is an extraordinary piece of work and art. The first side is a smack in the face with a set of perfectly crafted pop songs ending with the sublime Cloudbusting . The second side is an amazing immersive story of musical discovery. I don’t think I understood it properly before I saw it live but it didn’t matter in the hours and hours I spent listening to every mad twist of music before the sublime ‘Hello Earth’ emerges with John Williams on classical guitar. When my daughter was about 5 years old I gave her a turntable and this album. Kate Bush was the first woman singer songwriter to have a number one in the UK. This album is what happens when you give one of the greatest musical talents of my lifetime a studio of their own, a Fairlight and the space to achieve great things What an album.

Great album. Such a cool singer. Love the arrangements on here. Alittle more poppy than the other one. Big sky is amazing and so big sounding. Slows down in the concept album of the second half with dream of sheep, under ice and long intro for waking the witch. Morning fog is a great last song

Really great album

Very good

No notes

Good

This album and its predecessor 'The Dreaming' were such a wave of crazy creativity for Kate Bush. I will never forget the first time I heard 'Hello Earth' which incorporates the absolutely chilling folk song 'Zinzkaro'. This alone justifies a high rating for me.

An album that completely turn upside down my view towards pop music. This is a genuine classic jem especially those who keep thinking pop music in 80s are all dull synth beats

HEAT.

Well, thanks for the reminder that I ought to catch up in Stranger Things. One of these days. Eventually. It'll happen. I was surprised to know that the song made popular by the show was on the strange side. Ethereal, magical, otherworldly, a literal deal with a god put to music. It isn't the strangest on the album by a wide margin, but it is proof that one can still be bold and individualistic while also committing to making a banger that would be adored by a generation. Running Up That Hill is merely the tip of this wonderful iceberg, with bold song following bold song in succession. Even the first half, with its "safer" choices, delights the ears with a world far more alien, things stranger than what I am used to. I am absolutely enamored from start to finish.

Beautiful pop album, the 2 halls could be great EPs alone but together it's a great 1 2 punch of hits and storytelling

Bestes Album 5 Sterne

This bitch is crazy. It's an 80's fever dream nightmare. She self produced this album and it's an extreme achievement and a work of art. There is a lot here to listen to and enjoy. You won't catch everything on first listen. And no this album isn't a 1 just because you heard running up that hill a couple times because of stranger things. The donkey kong country sounds and 80's driving bass and drums are so good on here. You literally cannot ask for a better and more interesting 80's pop album. Score: 100 Art: 80

Such a unique voice in music - a strange alien sound accompanied with ethereal vocals and beautiful and sometimes scary melodies. One of a kind, truly. Fave Songs: Running Up That Hill, Mother Stands For Comfort, Waking The Witch, Hello Earth

I hadn't listened to this record and likely about two decades. I'd forgotten how much of a crush I had on kate back in the day period

Take my 5 stars and throw them in the lake

Great album, obviously with an amazing start, but it really amazed me towards the end. Some pretty unusual sounds, almost a "cinematic" feel. I really enjoyed it!

I’m expecting this album to be good! I don’t think I’ve heard a lot by Kate Bush, but I have enjoyed everything I’ve heard. Want it strange when Stranger Things suddenly made her super popular again? Anyway, let’s listen and find out how this album is! Songs I already knew: Running Up That Hill, Hounds Of Love Favourites: Running Up That Hill, Under Ice, Jig Of Life This seems to be a great week for great albums! Either that, or my antidepressants are working a little too well and now I love everything. There is nothing at all to fault here. Her voice is pristine and very unique. The music is catchy and quite artsy in bits (Under Ice and Hello Earth are great examples). Overall, this is an album that everybody should listen to if you haven’t already. It is fantastic.

This is a forever favorite of mine. So innovative and interesting and feminine.

Uno de los mejores discos femeninos de la historia. Ademas desde mi punto de vista uno de los mejores discos de la historia. No solo por las vocales de Kate, si no tambien por las liricas maravillosas y sutiles y tambien por ¨The Ninth Wave¨ que me parece uno de los mejores recursos conceptuales que vi en la historia de la musica. El trabajo de la produccion y de EMI en la produccion, por mas sorprendente que sea, se ve opacado por la calidad de Kate y su contraste artistico, como cantante y como escritora. mini review x tema: Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God): 10 Una de las mejores intros de la historia de la musica. Kate Bush nos muestra la situacion de una pareja que tiene problemas, valga la redundancia, de pareja. Kate Bush dice que esta haciendo un trato con Dios para poder cambiar los generos con su pareja y ahi ambos puedan entender todo lo que uno siente. Las vocales de Kate son hermosisimas. Hounds Of Love: 10 Aca Kate nos demostraria que tiene el don de la escritura. Como es capaz de relatar una historia usando doble sentidos todo el tiempo. Esta cancion habla del miedo al amor, pero es comparado con ser perseguido por una jauria de perros. Se refiere a que por mas miedo que le tengas y por mas de que hagas lo que hagas te va a terminar alcanzando. Mi unico problema con este tema es la voz de Kate, suena muy de estudio y no parece estar bien editada, pero le doy el 10 porque la escritura de la cancion es unica. The Big Sky: 10 Devuelta, la escritura de esta cancion simplemente me deja con la boca abierta. Pero de esta cancion destaco mas la impresionante produccion que tiene. La letra habla sobre los placeres de cuando eramos jovenes, pero que una vez que crecemos ya no tenemos tiempo para pasarlos, como por ejemplo, ver el cielo. Mother Stands For Comfort: 9 A ver, la letra es conmovedora, pero no hay sencillez en convencer al oyente de que lo que esta escuchando sea real. La letra esta muy bien implementada, funciona a primera vista, pero es lo que digo. Ademas en cuanto a la produccion del tema deja mucho que desear, tiene una monotonidad sonora que afecta mucho a lo que uno ya espera del tema. El problema que me surgio en Hounds Of Love se nota mas aca, la voz si parece que esta en frito del estudio. La letra habla sobre que una madre va a hacer lo que sea por defender a su hijo, por mas grave sea lo que haya hecho. Cloudbusting: 10 Esta canción trata sobre la muy estrecha relación entre el psicólogo y filósofo Wilhelm Reich y su hijo pequeño, Peter, contada desde el punto de vista del hijo. Describe los recuerdos del niño de su vida con Reich en su granja familiar, llamada Orgonon, donde los dos pasaron un tiempo "destruyendo nubes" (cloudbusting), un proceso de producción de lluvia que implicaba apuntar al cielo una máquina diseñada y construida por Reich, llamada “cloudbuster” (O “destructor de nubes” en español). La letra describe además el abrupto arresto y encarcelamiento de Wilhelm Reich, el dolor de la pérdida que sintió el joven Peter y su impotencia al no poder proteger a su padre. La canción se inspiró en las memorias de Peter Reich de 1973, A Book of Dreams, que Bush leyó y encontró profundamente conmovedoras. La hermosa produccion, ademas de la hermosa lirica, me hace obligatorio ponerle el 10/10 And Dream Of Sheep: 9 A partir de este tema arranca the Ninth Wave o la novena ola que es una suite de 7 canciones. Esta cancion habla sobre justamente unas personas atrapadas en el medio del agua. Estan cansandos y se esta haciendo de noche, lo unico que quieren es dormir pero piensan que si se duermen van a terminar muriendose ahogados. Para más detalles de The Ninth Wave, en una entrevista Kate Bush dijo lo siguiente: "The Ninth Wave fue una película, así es como lo pensé. Es la idea de que esta persona estando en el agua, cómo llegaron allí, no lo sabemos. Pero la idea es que han estado en un barco y han sido arrastrados por la borda, por lo que están solos en esta agua. Y encuentro esas imágenes horribles, la idea de estar completamente solo en toda esta agua. Y tienen un chaleco salvavidas con una pequeña luz para que si alguien viaja de noche vean la luz y sepan que está ahí. Y están absolutamente aterrorizados, y están completamente solos a merced de su imaginación, que de nuevo, personalmente, encuentro algo tan aterrador, el poder de la propia imaginación se desata en algo así. Y la idea de que tienen en la cabeza que no deben quedarse dormidos, porque si te quedas dormido estando en el agua, he oído que te das la vuelta y te ahogas, entonces están tratando de mantenerse despiertos." Under Ice: 8 Under Ice habla sobre un sueño que la persona tiene, donde están ellos patinando sobre hielo, mientras patinan, ven hacia el hielo y logran ver algo moviéndose por debajo, siguen patinando junto a este hasta llegar a un grieta en el hielo, es ahí cuando se dan cuenta que lo que hay bajo el hielo son ellos mismos ahogándose. En terminos vocales, Kate Bush es perfecta (Basicamente como siempre) pero la lirica no esta muy pensada y despues la base de fondo no me parece la gran cosa, si no que puede llegar a desesperar. Waking The Witch: 9 Las letras de esta canción inician con el subconsciente de esta persona tratando de hacerla despertar, pero esta no tiene fuerzas suficientes para hacerlo, ella tiene una pesadilla donde es una bruja que está en un jucio, donde se dice que no se quemará ni sangrará, lo que quiere decir que no va a ser quemada ni asesinada, sino que, por lo que podemos intuir por algunas frases de la canción, será ahogada, esto para hacer una prueba que se realizaba en la antigüedad, donde si la bruja flota es porque el demonio no quería que muriera, algunas frases dichas, como "Hay una piedra al rededor de mi pierna" sugieren que esta chica no tenía un demonio que la ayudara a flotar. Las voces al final son voces reales de personas que llegan a rescatarla. Este tema es muy raro, parece mas un interlude que una cancion. La letra no la entendes si no investigas y despues de ahi es muy complicado sintetizar con la letra. Igual me sigue pareciendo un grandisimo tema Watching You Without Me: 7 Luego de estar por horas en el agua, esta persona se siente como en casa, viendo a su persona querida esperar a que llegue y mirando al reloj y preocupado de donde pueda estar. Pero ella no pueden comunicarse, porque los demás no pueden verla ni escucharla. En palabras más sencillas, en esta canción esta persona que está perdidas en medio del mar, tiene una experiencia en la que se sale de su cuerpo y va en un modo de fantasma a su casa, donde ve a su ser querido preocupado por ella, pero ella no puede comunicarse. Es muy complicado conectar con esta cancion. Durante todo el disco, lo que mas nos hace sintetizar con Kate es su elegante voz y manera de hablar, pero en este tema lo hace muy por adentro. Jig Of Life: 10 Según palabras de Kate Bush, en este punto de la historia, es el yo futuro de esta persona que viene a visitarlos para brindarles un poco de ayuda aquí. Es su yo futuro diciendo: "Mira, no te rindas, tienes que seguir con vida, porque si no sigues con vida, eso significa que yo no". Ya sabes, "y estoy vivo, he tenido hijos. He pasado años y años de vida, así que tienes que sobrevivir, no debes rendirte". Vuelve el disco a la forma que tenia antes. Este tema es impresionante, no solo por las vocales de Kate, si no que tambien el beat de fondo es espectacular y te hace sentir la letra de una manera diferente. Hello Earth: 9 Esta canción es el punto de la historia donde ella está tan débil que revive la experiencia de la tormenta que la llevó al agua, casi desde una vista desde la tierra hacia los cielos, observando la tormenta comenzar a formarse, la tormenta que eventualmente se la llevó y que la ha puesto en esta situación. Mucha melancolia al final del tema que termina siendo abrumadora The Morning Fog: 10 Según palabras de Kate Bush, The Morning Fog es el final de la historia, donde estas personas finalmente son rescatadas y de la oscuridad y peso surge la luz, el peso se ha ido y aquí está la mañana, y está destinado a sentirse muy positivo, brillante y edificante del resto de la oscuridad densa de la pista anterior. "Y es en gran medida una canción de ver la perspectiva, de realmente, ya sabes, de estar tan agradecido por todo lo que tienes, que nunca estás agradecido en la vida ordinaria porque simplemente abusas de ello por completo. Y también estaba destinada a ser una de esas canciones de ""gracias y buenas noches". Ya sabes, el pequeño final donde todos bailan un poco y luego hacen una reverencia y luego abandonan el escenario"

Kate Bush the GOAT fr, such mesmerizing and beautiful music

amazing album. one of my all time favourites

strange and beautiful

Crikey, when I was younger I'd always written off Kate Bush as "that weirdo from the 80s" but now I absolutely love that weirdo from the 80s. About 15 years ago I suddenly "got" Running up that Hill, then Cloudbusting... Big Sky... Hounds of Love... and they're all from the first half of the SAME ALBUM? Come on, outstanding. Every moment of every track on this album is like a warm hug.

Stranger Things

Fucking amazing. Standout Track: Waking the Witch

Such a refreshing listen amongst the self-felating guitar heavy albums that have been dominating this list. Love the range of tracks, from the more ethereal and dark to the poppier numbers. Fully transcended on a few of these tracks. The last two on the album didn't quite reach the heights of the rest for me, however that's quite the bar. 4.5 Fav track: Waking the witch

Another one that was on the list of shame. Was surprised by how big-pop sound it was after only experiencing it in the bedrooms of painting students who live in relative squalor and burn too much incense. Within that there's room for some pretty radical experimentation. At times I felt like I was listening to a Lynch film as an album, such was the sinister, distorted beauty on display in songs like Waking the Witch, complete with amorphous narratives and passages of whimsy. That theatre kid energy does at points threaten to overwhelm it, but in the end I think it toes the line well. I almost wish it settled into the darkness a little more at times, but as a pop experience it's pretty remarkable how far it goes at all. Pretty blown away and sheepish that I'd perhaps written it off slightly until now. Four and a half. Fave track: Waking the Witch

Wow - really got into this listen. There's a strong identity that's stamped onto the music here and it'd be difficult to find much other pop music that sounds like this. Really enjoy Bush's dynamism in style, evocative dreamy (and often scary) narratives, and flow - particularly on the second half of this record. Four and a half. Fave track: And Dream Of Sheep

This is a great album. Kate Bush has a fantastic voice and the songwriting on this is really strong. I've definitely listened to this one before and have heard the hits a lot but it was good to sit with this one all the way through again. Also love this album artwork and only just noticed the dogs in it somehow. I think I had always just looked at her and missed that detail. Standout Tracks: Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God), Hounds of Love, The Big Sky, Cloudbusting, Watching You Without Me, Hello Earth, The Morning Fog

Kate Bush makes me feel things. Which is weird, because one of the limitations I often find with art pop and art rock is that the technical execution, gimmicks, and deliberate divergence from more standard structures result in an alienation of the listener. But Kate Bush channels something primal in her voice, songwriting, and instrumentation, and the resulting combination is heavenly. The first side is a monster with masterpieces like 'Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)' (one of the greatest songs ever recorded), 'Hounds of Love' and 'Cloudbusting', and the second side is a chilling story told in 7 parts with 'Under Ice' being a personal favorite.

Opening with “Running Up That Hill (Deal With God)”, easily one of the best songs ever written, immediately puts a record on course to a 5/5. On the rest of side A, Hounds of Love, Kate Bush once again delivers some of the most intricate and intelligent pop ever written while remaining fully accessible. The true masterpiece, though, is side B - The Ninth Wave. A story in seven parts where Bush demands full attention in order to fully grasp what she’s trying to accomplish. But when you sound as mesmerizing as her it’s an easy task.

This was a fantastic surprise. So dramatic and intense. Some songs are really experimental, but not jarring. I really loved it. Listened to it twice. Bonus for the puppies on the cover. 4.5/5

- Heard this many times before - Simply one of the greatest albums of all time - Could justify counting any of the songs as my favourite - Best album of the 80s maybe? Definitely top 3 - Fav songs: Running Up That Hill, Cloudbusting, The Big Sky