Hounds Of Love

First listen- one of the songs is still known to this day, shows how good stuff is never forgotten. Second listen- remastered version makes all the songs have the same vibe, love it.

Only knew Running Up That Hill (of course). The rest of the album really grew on me after a few listens

I'm working on my standup routine for the imaginary Prog Rock Comedy Festival and I'm closing with a bit about Kate Bush running up Solsbury Hill for Peter Gabriel. Still working on the punchline, but it involves the portion of the "Easy Lover" video where the Phils Collins and Bailey are running up the stairs to their rockstar helicopter. Believe me, I didn't want to like this album. However, I'm absolutely blown away by the artistry here. She has the kind of rich, singular creative vision that reeks of a lonely childhood in the country. I would love to see if I'm right. Anyway, the musicianship on display here is serious, too. The performances, yes, but also the unusual songs and instrumentation. And her vocal style isn't always my cup of tea but her virtuosity is undeniable. I guess that makes her the Mariah Carey of prog rock. Or rather, Mariah Carey is the Kate Bush of American Top 40. And you can tell she had complete control over everything we're hearing, and that she's an unusual person concerned with very different things than most pop singer-songwriters. I love the samples and voices and sounds. An ambitiously weird production like this takes balls, especially when you're on a major label and you're producing an album that sounds like it cost the label a lot of money. If I were to single out one tune it would be Watching You Without Me. You can't tell me you have ever heard a song like that before. And her crazy voice effect at the end? An unexpectedly chilling turn. Cinematic is the word that comes to mind when I think about this tune, because of the way it tells a story without bashing you over the head. I don't love all of this but I respect it. Mainly I'm just impressed and it makes me feel good to know that there have always been weirdos out there slipping their shit into the mainstream without compromise or dilution, and that sometimes, sometimes, the dogs will eat it.

Kate Bush has such a cool and unique quality to her voice and her songs mirror that perfectly. The first half of this album hit immediately for me. The songs are fun and kind of weird and the synths sound incredible but I’ll need more time with the more conceptual, complex second half. One time through isn’t enough to appreciate what’s going on there. But it’s genuinely intriguing so I’ll definitely add it to my library.

It's in the trees!

Álbum muito legal de pop com sintetizadores e clima cinematográfico. Celest Phoenixcall.

very cool

Some of the best songs of the 80s on show here, ‘Cloudbusting’ being the particular highlight for me. Some lovely uses of timbre and texture unlike much of the music at the time. The album doesn’t quite hold up the quality to the very end for me but it there are still stellar songs dotted throughout.

Favourite track(s): Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God); Hounds Of Love; Mother Stands For Comfort; Jig Of Life Honest (there is quite a bit of barking or howling), experimental (percussion on Mother Stands For Comfort, Waking The Witch in its entirety) - and yet also very polished (instrumentals in general and in particular the use of strings). Often very driving and energetic through incorporation of choirs and marching drums. Also, there seem to be a lot of references to either literature or film (why else would Kate Bush say something in German at the close of Hello Earth). Overall a very diverse and thus enjoyable album. But I would understand if some find the album to lack focus or are not that fond of the vocals, which can be drawn-out in parts. Also, The Morning Fog is either a very weak closing track or the perfect choice after all that intensity.

Started off strong (and super recognizable, thanks stranger things!), got a little weird with the waking of a witch. Overall kind of a funky, cool, pop-forward album, would purchase

I was trying to figure out if this is rock or pop or pop rock. I think I landed on alt pop. I don't know if that's a thing or not. I really like Hounds of Love. I too was someone who didn't know Kate Bush until Stranger Things, but I'm glad it's getting the exposure it deserves now. I think there's some really smart, clever things in this album. I also think there are some things that don't land for me. I can't be more specific.

Highlights: Cloudbusting, Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God), Big Sky. In a nutshell: "I'm tearin' you asunder" Anyone in the 80s who thought that this album was too ambitious, too out there and that Kate was incapable of producing her own album deserved to be slapped in the face. If that was you, have you changed your mind? Even after the oversaturation of Running Up The Hill (A Deal With God)" from Stranger Things and in social media, it still holds up. Out of the three Kate Bush album on here, this was my favourite. The right balance of the familiar and a new adventure. Overall: 7/10

Review - top tier Kate Bush album. Classic pop songs, classic experimental pop songs. A bit proggy. Lovely stuff. Score - 8/10 Need to listen? YES

Running Up That Hill Hounds of Love The Big Sky And Dream of Sheep Cloudbusting

love.

This still sounds incredibly fresh. And distinctive. So good. Probably closer to 4.5 than 4.0. (I like the first half a fair bit more than the second half, which features the song cycle about drowning.)

She ate

Loved this! Got a bit ooky spooky towards the end

Lots of iconic 80s sounds. The only song I had previously heard is the one from Stranger Things

It's Kate Bush's biggest song, but I have never really cared for Running Up That Hill. Honestly it probably kept me from listening to more of her music. Other than that song, which I don't dislike as much as I used to, Stranger Things didn't help, this is a great album. Bush has a unique sound and I enjoyed listening to this one. This is a pretty amazing album by a talented artist.

7/10

4 yep its good and weird

Second Kate Bush in a row. I liked The Dreaming a bit better.

A standout from every angle, Hounds of Love is the album that synthesized Kate Bush's ethos the best. It's a maximalist exploration of her distinct brand of woodland spirit art pop. That isn't all that apparent in the first half though, as the pastoral feeling is set aside in favour of a dreamlike atmosphere. Look no further than the Voyager record-worthy track that is "Running Up That Hill," an utterly spellbinding and magical reflection on a relationship torn apart. There's not much else to say about it that hasn't been said before; it's perfect in every way, from its buildup, instantly recognizable main riff, and Bush's impassioned performance. The other song that gets the closest to that maximalist, bittersweet euphoria is "The Big Sky," a multipart suite condensed into a single song. From an almost city pop beginning to a thunderous guitar and drum outro. Few artists are ever as willing to let their songs get as busy and dysfunctional as Bush did this one. In the second half, the woodland creature vibe fully emerges in the form of "Waking the Witch," another multipart song with a scattershot and downright icy soundscape. Distorted synths, misplaced church bells all give way to some truly hideous growling mixed with Bush's most extreme vocal performance. I was NOT expecting a song like this on such and album like this, that's for sure! "Jig of Life" is the purest distillation of the second half's approach, and the vast a capella church choir of "Hello Earth" neatly wrap up the fascinating but occasionally terrifying exploration of human emotion and its relation to the cosmos. This is, in short, a stellar, one of a kind album. Key Tracks: Running Up That Hill, The Big Sky, Waking the Witch, Hello Earth

This was great; hard to believe it's from 1985. It really sounds like some of the contemporary female indie pop artists ray and I like, like Magdalena Bay or Caroline Polachek. I'm sure they were inspired by Bush. Like those artists, her vocals are great, but my favorite part is the production. So many satisfying sounds. This sounds like it was a part of the foundation of modern indie auteurs, because its makes the most of both live (plenty of strings which is nice) and production elements. My favorite songs were Big Sky (the percussion/bass is so satisfying and invigorating), Cloudbusting (strings and percussion and percussive strings), and Jig of Life; adapting folk styles with modern harmonic vocabulary? Yes please. This sits somewhere between 4 and 5, but I'm not sure exactly what's keeping me from giving it a five.. I think there were a few tracks that werent quite exciting, but I'd have to listen again to give a more accurate verdict

It's going to be difficult to choose between 4 and 5 for this one, but I'm leaning toward 4; 4.5 I'd probably go for, but I don't think I can *quite* go to 5. I have 3 Kate Bush albums, but not this one, although it's pretty familiar to me - I think maybe I have a tape of it from Rick (?). The biggest obstacle for me is her voice. I'm much more used to it now, and mostly am ok with it (even *kind of* like it), but I think that's the single biggest thing keeping me from giving this a 5. Everything else is excellent! And I think it holds up very well, after 40 years. As you may know, "Running Up That Hill" found a second life with the tv show "Stranger Things." I hadn't realized, until listening to this now, that she also has a fairly strong Irish connection, including several prominent Irish musicians on tracks 6, 10, and 11. I may come to regret not giving this a 5, but I'm gonna stick with a "high" 4. Update, after a 2nd listen: yeah, I'm pretty much used to Kate Bush's singing voice at this point, so it's not really that much of an obstacle. But I still stop at 4.5 (i.e., 4).

Favorite/s: Cloudbusting, Running Up That Hill, Hello Earth Least favorite/s: Watching You Without Me

a pelo

Iconic album

First half of the album had me wondering where all the experimental and cutting edge sounds I expect from Kate Bush. And then there they were. I love her voice. Literally and as an artist. Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)

Honored for this to be my first album! Cloudbursting…right…righhhhttt

It’s a classic and I do love Kate Bush

I knew nothing of Kate Bush, and liked this album a whole lot more than I anticipated!

The Kate Bush revival was so deserved and very necessary. Great album!

heerlie !! ik herinner me met liefde de tumblr crashout toen running up that hill in stranger things zat omdat het al jaren een geliefd tumblr nummer was en toen gingen alle #normies het ineens luisteren... wa t een tijd. alsof het echt een geheim nummer was dat niemand kende. anyway heerlijk album, hounds of love en cloudbusting zijn m'n favoriet. ik raad haar optreden in de efteling erg aan om te kijken. doen jullie ooit iets met al mijn prachtige aanraders.

Some of these songs are my all-time favourites; the rest of it, not so much.

Kate experimented extensively with sound, using synthesizers, drum machines, and sampling, combining them with traditional instrumental recordings. She also embraced unusual ideas. The first half was reminiscent of popular music, with songs inspired by layers of horror films, autobiographical literature, and childhood memories. But the second, which she called the Ninth Wave Suite, was a concept album telling the story of a girl thrown overboard at sea. The main challenge for journalists was defining the genre. It's a fusion of numerous experiments and relatively harmonious ones. It's a fusion of rock, prog, synth-pop, and folk influences. Irish musicians using traditional musical instruments set a special mood.

Already know it OBV but never properly listened in full. It’s beautiful and strange obv hounds of love is one of the best songs ever written but also loved and dream of sheep it was like a poem!!!!

Decent 4

„Running up that hill“ zieht das zum Teil schwerfällige Album noch auf den 4-Sterne-Berg.

1. "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" 2. "Hounds of Love" 3. "Cloudbusting"

Nice

Very whimsical.

This isn't so inventive. From the opening track to the last there's not much which sounds like anything else. This really stands the rest of time.

I’d heard this album before but never really got a good listen til today. It’s a really interesting and frankly a weird album. Even if I didn’t have the Stranger Things reference I’d think Kate Bush is from another dimension. Now I’m almost certain. Another striking thing was how many parallels to Tori Amos there were. Voice, pace, layering of instrumentation all very reminiscent of 90s Tori. As someone who loves Tori, I should love this but I think the lyrics and content was a little harder for me to connect with. I will return to this album though. It’s deserves multiple listens

- I love her unique sound and how fresh it always feels. - I also love how she plays with the sounds in terms of production - it's definitely experimental with unexpected instrumentals popping in and out. - She has such great mastery over her voice, too. - Great lyrics, very evocative. - I do like the first half of the album better than the second half.

Epic!

Pretty good even in an initial listen. I might need to listen to it more and give it the opportunity to grow on me.

Such a powerful voice, and good music as well.

Everything comes together here - it's weird and cohesive, truly idiomatic Favourite tracks: Cloudbusting, Hounds Of Love, The Big Sky

Favorite: And Dream of Sheep

We Stan Kate Bush in this household pt. 2. Running Up That Hill has (at least partially) been ruined by Stranger Things - but the good news is that this track actually includes an entire bonus album that goes off. 4/5

This was unexpected, I’ve never heard of the album or the artist and I was locked in as soon as I pressed play

es un discaso, me molesta que ella se haya echo conocida por stranger things, es re talentosa mí top 5: 1-cloudbusting 2-hounds of love 3-waking the witch 4-running yo that hill 5-the big sky

This album suffers from being a product of its time. It has a ton of 80s tropes throughout the album. Fortunately, for much of the album, the quality of the song-writing overshadows the heavy synths and over-reverberated drums. The opening track was everywhere when it was used in Stranger Things. Despite the exposure, the song is still a great listen. The next two albums made me wonder whether she was going to continue to sing in that same style for the whole album. Because of the lack of change in vocal style, those two songs (Hounds of Love and The Big Sky) were fairly boring to me. The rest of the album is a good listen. Standouts for me were Mother Stands for Comfort, Under Ice, and Jig of Life. Waking the Witch has some Pink Floyd vibes to it with some background dialogue and finishing with a helicopter sound, evoking memories of The Wall. Overall, I'd give this a 3.5 if half scores were allowed, but since they aren't, I'm rounding down just due to the number of 80s ballads on this album that are one of my least favorite types of songs.

Good, i like it so much

Highlights: Running Up That Hill, Hounds of Love, Cloudbusting

27 years old when this released. She was spared from Club 27. Kate’s greatest hit. The afterlife of Bush’s greatest hit has of course underlined its modernity (like much of current pop, it is mainly rooted in beats and voices) and, ultimately, its timelessness. Exhibit A when it comes to displaying Kate Bush’s virtually unparalleled talent for weird pop, “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” remains a towering achievement.

More interesting than I thought it would be

Will always love a witchy album ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 Highlight: The Big Sky, Jig of Life

Enjoyed it, was really surprised at how different the start and finish of the album are

Brilliant album, more like a greatest hits - apart from a couple of experimental tracks at the end.

Very strong, preferred the more experimental second half

Beautiful record. Running up that hill is a classic but the proggy second half of the record is sooooo cool!!! Really enjoyed it

Can’t believe this album was written for stranger things

Franchement bien avec quelques très bons sons mais quelques bouses

природа, весна, літо, fairy daisy vibe, осд

You know what Kate Bush you're alright with me!

great album !

This was a much more fun listen than I thought it would be.

Great kind of album with some prog pop classics and a highly stylised almost fantasy-esque sound. Outside of the three singles the rest of the ‘album songs’ are very well written however by the end the production and lack of variety between instrumentation can lead to a little bit of listener fatigue and none of them really stand upto the lofty heights of the three singles on there. That’s said I really think it is a great showing of female musicianship and Overall 7.7/10. It shows what pop music can be when it really tries and a really nice, stylistic world building album with great vocals and some massive singles on there

A very good, very dreamy record. Its the type of album to be listened to in the dark. The reason for a star taken off is because I just can't get in to the chopped up vocals in some of the songs. Also, I enjoyed the first half, more than the second, but my personal favorite song on the album is Hello Earth.

I can see why this is so well liked. Running up that Hill is one of the greatest 80's songs and Cloudbusting isn't far behind. I found the rest of the album to be of less quality than those songs, but it was enjoyable enough nonetheless. It's a very weird album at times, but I guess that is to be expected with a Kate Bush album.

Some surprise joys and lot of Celtic bits that bring a lot of fun besides just running up that hill

Weird stuff and hard to pin down genre-wise, but I dig it. I like "The Big Sky" and "Cloudbusting". Her voice is unique and kind of warble-y but never grating. The roots of a lot of modern indie rock seem to be all over this album - you can hear the influence on everyone from Chappell Roan to Caroline Polachek. I like that every song is kinda different - 3.5 and I'll round up for originality, even if Idk when the mood to listen to it is

A quality album, some good pop hits but still mixed with some more conceptual listens and a range of moods. There are multiple styles mixed together in this album, and I think some of the 80s sound effects has aged well here. Kate’s voice is a perfect pairing to the instrumentals and provides that well needed harmony. Overall, a great listen, I personally think it could benefit from switching out one or two concept songs for more pop style songs, as I felt it needed some more lyrics. The general vibe is well crafted, and the album has good flow to it. I do already own this on vinyl and I think it’s a great addition in collection, for me this album is solid 4 star album.

As mysterious and beautiful as I had heard.

Some bangers, some weird shite

3.75

Ahh yes, the Stranger Things album. More specifically, the album whose most popular single was played ad nauseum in the show's fourth season. As for the actual album, it is a very offbeat 80s pop record. Unlike most British pop of the period, this has actual character and is unique without being off-putting. Well, some songs are off-putting, primarily "Waking the Witch". Unlike her earlier record, "The Dreaming", this is still plenty accessible to the average listener and isn't overly theatrical. Though Bush's lyrics don't approach the level of a Cohen or Dylan album, they are perhaps some of the best lyrics of this era's popular music. The songs are hooky and well-arranged, and Bush's voice is excellent both technically and for the music she makes. This record, perhaps more than anything, is an excellent example of how to balance accessibility and character to create a hit album. A hit album that found a second wind 35 years after its release from a single being used in a massively popular television show.

A very cool record with a real sense of drama and dynamics. I fully was primed for the shock of getting halfway through the album and then hearing “Waking the Witch.” It’s all the more impressive to make a successful pop songs using synths, drum machines, and bunch of folk instruments from Eastern Europe and Ireland.

Not really listened to Kate Bush before (besides that one) but I like this quite a bit

It was great!

That first track lures you in with it's pop hooks and fantastical lyricism, then the album takes you on an experimental pop ride for a while. Strings playing dissonant chords, anxiety and doom inducing synth layered in the back, just for it to turn into a key driven soft spoken word dream sequence. This is a cool album!

Great album from KB with some of her best tracks on side 1. Some of the more experimental ones are a bit hit and miss but you should go Running Up That Hill to hear this album.

There are a few really good ethereal synth pop style bangers on here near the beginning, but also some songs I don’t really enjoy so it prevents it from being a 5 but really good still

Great in places, but then also a bit too obtuse in others.

First track is as straightforward as perfection gets; everything else is also equally perfect if you aren't filtered by a 20-something genius at her creative peak

Zone out very little. Most songs are similar to the first which I liked already.

Love how experimental this is. Kate's voice is so lovely and remains the center of most of these songs.

Really like yes yes Kate bush very good

Cutting edge for the time

She has an incredibly recognizable voice. She totally paved the way for tons of artists. This album has this dreamy feeling that I really enjoyed.

I wasn't very familiar with this album beyond Running Up That Hill. And I kinda expected it to suck, cause Running Up That Hill has the vibe of a song that's the only good song the album. Boy, was I wrong! This is a delightfully complex collection of pop-ish tunes.

This was much, much better than I expected. I should probably blame Stranger Things, or maybe I've mellowed in my dotage. Regardless, this sounded more "modern" than I recalled, and definitely more musically interesting. Adding this to my list.

I'm really somewhere like a 3.5 but I'm rounding up for the album art and chance taking. There are a few songs on this that really irritate me, but more that stand up. I don't think it is just a fluke that Running Up That Hill saw a gen Z resurgence, besides being a great song, the production still sounds great on that song and this record. The title track is really good as well.

4/5 - I like Kate's voice a lot, so that drives this rating, but I also think the production here is pretty great for the era. You can really hear the influence she had on other experimental women musicians in the coming decades. Not an album I'm going to listen to frequently, but I enjoy it, and it belongs on this list.

весь альбом не стала слушать, так по немножечку, но мне очень понравилось. хотя я не слушаю что-то похожее, но под этот расслабиться можно. добавила к себе

So many great tracks. I really enjoyed this one.

One of my favorite albums of all time big sky and cloudbusting still give me chills every time I hear them

Her fifth album. New Wave / Art Rock. Running Up That Hill is a fantastic opening track and would sound better than most stuff if dropped today. The entire album is a fascinating journey through the mind of a woman who seems other worldly at times. Her vocals are great. The production spot on.

Good album. My husband and son love Kate Bush but she isn't my favorite. Might be because of her creepy music videos in the '80's

Liked it- Need to listen to some of the songs over

Third album i got from here! So cool! The euphoric joy of "The Big Sky" and then the darker, eerie atmosphere of "Mother Stands For Comfort" immediately after was certainly a unique experience and I'm glad I had it. Those are my first two favourites. "Cloudbusting" is also great! Further into the album I can say this whole thing is an experience, actually. Beautiful and full of whimsy and chaotic and a little scary sometimes (like whatever the hell is going on in "Waking The Witch" but i fw it!!) My other two favourites from this album are the last, "Hello Earth" & "The Morning Fog". Not the type of music I would jam out to in my own time, but definitely a work of art in the way that you'd appreciate a Renaissance painting in a museum. This whole album is a freaking masterpiece <3 Honestly the only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars is the fact that I feel this album is better for an ambient, atmospheric background music, like a movie or game soundtrack for example, and not "headphone music", if that makes sense. I'm mainly started the 1001 Albums challenge to find new music for my playlists and broaden my horizons and I'm glad I did. Gives me the same vibes as Headlock by Imogen Heap, another artist whose albums I want to explore. Apparently she was inspired by Kate Bush so that's cool!! I wonder if any of her albums are on this list too :^]

- I like her voice synthesis - I like how it sounds like an 80s adaptation of a 19th century classic novel already - marching bassline - sounds foggy - Instantly great - love the vocal sample at the beginning - people imitating animals always feels a little off but she is Kate Bush i suppose - don't care for the big sky too much - great song but a hard act to follow are the first two - Cloudbusting strings with the banjo accents - i still find this a perfect baroque monstrosity - most of the tracks on this album run and gallop, it captures a full scope of emotion and maintains a state of movement interjected by austentatious weather - the voices and the drums are emblematic of something that claws at the organic - ripping through circuit boards with dexterity to find the blood that pumps and gushes forth. Masterful. Bush feels like a shaman that controls all the forces of nature in harmony - Equal parts millitary drill and and self help mantra - album sounds a bit like a chamber piece - designed to be performed by a choir - love the rain and train at the end of that song too - the sparing guitar is appreciated - UNDER ICE HELLO - this is crazy - strings are amazing - 'the river has frozen over' -sounds like an ancient pagan witch being hunted - brilliantly staged vocal reverb at end of song - again sounds like an 80s R4 play - slightly cheesy - Sampling in this album is so tasteful - only used to advance the story - makes so much sense - the dialogue works excellently - sounds so rudimentary yet advanced - crazy - waking the witch - church bells amazing - such a distinctive picture she's trying to paint here - properly hellish sound here - she goes all the way. very chameleon-y start to this song - her vocals sound so modern here - like something qendresa would put out sounds bangladeshi here - very nice stuff - very good gated vocals - choir on 'Hello Earth' is mind blowing and poignant - The chord progression here echoes the progression on cloudbusting I'm still deciding whether i want to do ratings out of ten but i'll give this an 8/10

Love Kate bush. Brilliant.

Amazing first side, at least 3 classics! Less out there than her previous album, but she finds room for a concept side b. Odd but nice Irishness to it. It does lose me though. 4 Heard before? Yes Owned: Yes 53/224 (23%) Will I get: Already have

Fav- running up that hill 4/5

01) Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) - 10,0 02) Hounds of Love - 10,0 03) The Big Sky - 8,5 04) Mother Stands for Comfort - 8,5 05) Cloudbusting - 10,0 06) And Dream of Sheep - 8,0 07) Under Ice - 9,0 08) Waking the Witch - 8,0 09) Watching You Without Me - 8,5 10) Jig of Life - 7,5 11) Hello Earth - 7,5 12) The Morning Fog - 8,0 TOTAL: 8,63 (86/100) Current ranking: 125/843

kate bush halt, 80er und whimsy, hatte einen ohrwurm von running up that hill

I think I prefer Kate Bush as a singles artist more than as an album artist. Hounds of Love is good, I just don't know that I'd ever opt to sit down and put on a Kate Bush album as opposed to just listening to her best tracks on any given day.

OMG it has the Stranger Things song!

Good album, quintessential Kate bush. Personally I'm not super into Kate Bush, but I can still appreciate what this album has to offer. The first half of the album is much stronger for what it's worth.

Amazing stuff and yeah I hear the strong Tori Amos roots there too. Gets a little unpalatable towards the end but otherwise brilliant, 1/2 is 5 stars.

Enjoying this a lot more than the last few. It's a bit out there, but it's distinctive at least. Waking the Witch is just a really weird song. Not sure where it would feel in place.

I don't think you can call it a come back.. but the ability to have a song go so viral years after it's release cannot be understated. I enjoyed the listen to this album, but it remains not really my thing........

Starts strong and tapers from great to very good

Good songs, not sure how they all come together but felt like an exploratory album with lots of different sounds

The second half of this album specifically is super cool!

💪👏🤙

holy fire fav: waking the witch

love the storytelling feeling

This album is pretty great. I think the hits all sound great, super inventive and stylish. I do want to comment. I think it's cool that it's featured so prominently in stranger things, it was a good choice because of the cinematic qualities of the album and they have aged well. I do think the show is a little pretentious about its music. No Michael Jackson or Prince references at all! Borderline racism

My first real listen to Kate Bush. I’ve always been aware her, and her reputation for being a little “weird” has always made me curious about her music, but I never got around to exploring it. Hounds of Love was an impressive introduction. It has just the right amount a quirkiness and experimentation to suit my tastes. All the songs are pretty solid and interesting, I even liked some of the longer outros. I’ll definitely be listening to this record again, and I look forward to hearing more of her work.

I enjoyed this!

Thanks to this project for getting me to dive into these Kate Bush albums. This one's got a lot of great songs on it, but I found parts a little too theatrical, especially compared to The Sensual World, which is pretty much perfect.

cantos gregorianos, pop, líneas de bajo buenas, musica celta. tremenda quilombo. no lo volvería a escuchar pero me gusto

Running Up That Hill is already a favourite of mine. Can any other track come close? Ah Cloudbusting hits hard too, nice vocals and a folksy pop sound. Crescendo is a bit more lacklustre than RUTH, but still good Waking the Witch is very avant-garde, cinematic. The layering and chromaticism on Jig Of Life are very cool, bringing to mind female solo acts from much later. Plus the celtic folk, makes it very unique. Best track - The Big Sky, Cloudbusting, Under Ice, Waking The Witch, Jig Of Life 4 stars - some great tracks and even the 'filler' is good enough to keep up interest

A groundbreaking and iconic album that masterfully blends art pop with emotional depth. Its timeless sound shows a direct influence on artists like Tori Amos.

sounds like an adventure at some times, other times it sounds like you've been transported to another moment in sound. the album cover is pretty majestic. Kate Bush gives off this confident and passionate vibe; she has a super strong yet soft voice. it's pretty cool. of course, you can't forget about that one Stranger Things song.

It's funny that track is called Waking The Witch because if you were falling asleep to this album, that shit'll wake you up quick. I wasn't expecting more experimental choices, but I found myself enjoying them more than not. Hello Earth is kinda amazing.

omg its the stranger things song (i havent seen it)

Hounds of Love — это тот редкий случай, когда артист делает не просто альбом, а строит целый мир. Буш разделила его на две части: первая — поп-хиты с хлёсткими синтезаторами, вторая («The Ninth Wave») — 25-минутная концептуальная поэма о женщине, тонущей в море и балансирующей между жизнью и смертью. 1985 год, а звучит так, будто записано вчера в каком-то параллельном измерении, где у людей лучше вкус. «Running Up That Hill» знают все — особенно после Stranger Things. Но настоящее золото спрятано глубже: «The Hounds of Love», «And Dream of Sheep», «Waking the Witch» — это не песни, это кинофильмы без картинки. Кейт здесь продюсировала, писала, аранжировала всё сама, в собственной студии. В 80-х женщина с полным творческим контролем — это было примерно так же редко, как единорог на велосипеде. Один из тех альбомов, которые меняют то, что ты считаешь возможным в музыке.

better than expected. unique sound

She’s ever so good but this one isn’t my fave, despite having a high quantity of 10/10 songs

Maybe it's because I'm aware that she guest starred on his album So, but Kate Bush feels a little bit like a female Peter Gabriel on this album. Music with both a pop feel but also a little oddness sprinkled throughout to keep things interesting.

One of the best albums made by anyone

Another wild ride. I argue that Kate Bush is a genius and that I’ve only begun to unravel the depth of her writing, both conceptually and artistically. It just the kind of stuff that makes you wonder how anyone ever came up with it, but in a good way.

I enjoyed this a lot. I never listened to Kate Bush back in the day, or ever for that matter. There was zero chance I would have gotten into this in any way back when it was released, but I can appreciate it now. I had no idea Kate Bush was so odd. This album is so moody and strange. It took several listens for me to make some sense of it. I don't know if Trent Reznor ever listed Kate Bush as an influence, but several times I felt like I was hearing some Pretty Hate Machine and even Broken in there. "Waking the Witch" is bonkers and I loved it. Can't say for sure if I'll get into more of her catalog, but I hope I'll come back to this every once in a while.

I feel like I'm listening to the source code for Tori Amos. My Kate Bush knowledge was mostly limited to "Running Up That Hill," which I really liked until Stranger Things pummeled it into oblivion. (It's still great.) While I like this, it doesn't feel like something I'll return to. The 16-year-old version of myself that listened to Little Earthquakes constantly would've been into this much more than his middle-aged counterpart. But I'm glad to have heard it. 3.5 stars, rounding up in tribute to my very sensitive younger self.

Strong album from an innovative artist. Not all of her songs landed with me but the creativity really kept me wanting to listen to more.

Wonderful unique voice! Everyone will know first cut, but the rest are stellar

Very weird but dreamy album. My favourite song is Cloudbusting.

Good album and very melodic. Took the 80s sound and advanced it.

Revolucionaria Para la época y su género experimentó muy bien Entiendo que ha sido influencia de muchas bandas y artistas de la época, eso quiere decir mucho Estuvo entretenido y se puede volver a escuchar

VERY PSYCHEDELIC. Like really. Pretty good overall, even though I didn't like love love any individual song.

hurrr

This is an interesting one! Had never heard any of her music prior to Stranger Things, which kind of ruined that song, but damn if it isn’t an earworm. The rest of the album is so odd and different and random. Experimental, but decently good

This is a fabulous album that rarely falters. Of course “Running Up That Hill”, with its recent new lease of life, is brilliant, but actually I now have a new appreciation for “Hounds of Love” and, in particular, “Cloudbusting”. The vocal at the end, as the song begins its fade out, is so joyous. It’s not just the well-known singles that stand out either and, unusually I’m finding, they are not the clear standout tracks. I really enjoyed many of them, and have always loved “Jig of Life” especially. It does get a little bit weird 2/3 of the way in - “Waking the Witch” did exactly what it said on the tin, and made me a bit uncomfortable, in a weird way. Very witchy. Very unsettling. It also went on a bit too long, as did the next track. All in all, though, this is a brilliant album which highlights the genius of Kate Bush.

I love Kate Bush's voice. And parts of this album are astonishingly weird; honestly some of the weirdest things the Generator has provided (and I've already heard Trout Mask Replica). Waking the Witch might be the peak weirdness, but I did enjoy finding out one of the random voices on it was old Hagrid himself, Robbie Coltrane. The "conceptual" side of the album is, for me, a little weaker than the other, though having said that, I still liked parts a lot (like Jig of Life, where I loved her vocals). The singles though? The singles are universally great. After my second run through of this record which was needed for me to really make up my mind, I listened to The Futureheads version of Hounds of Love and China Drum's version of Wuthering Heights, the later because I need no excuse to listen to it, not because it features on this album. Both are great covers - well worth a listen, despite (or maybe because?) they all very different to the original compositions. I think this would have been a 3.5, but it's worth a 4 for her voice alone, so I'm rounding up. 4/5

Likes: Running up that hill, the big sky, jig of life, Hello earth Dislikes: waking the witch Took 2 listens to get into it (didn’t realize it was a concept album lol). Instrumentals are Immersive and unique but feel like there’s some lulls on the second side

J'adore Kate Bush, mon album coup de coeur restera "Never for Ever" mais celui là est aussi génial !

Really sweet experimental-ish pop, kind of like Bjork where it's still quite accessible yet challenges the status quo in music. The orchestral elements are superb, the vocal melodies are quite lovely. I like the suite on the second side of the album, did not disappoint (except "Waking the Witch) me at all. Even though I thought I was over-hyping it, as I knew about the idea of it prior to listening. I've been wanting to have a listen to this album for a little while, so I'm glad that I did like it. Highlight Song/s: "Running Up That Hill", "Hounds of Love", "The Big Sky" and "Under Ice"

Stranger things

So good album, I like Kate bush

interesting unique sound surreal dreamlike Very good

The beauty in this album is in the instrumentation. Kate Bush was an innovator. She used samples in music and it improved the songs. Just beautiful songs all around.

цей альбом точно заслуговує на повторне прослуховування та виникнення в лукірси щоб зрозуміти повну картину

Znam lubię. Wracam.

Something something Stranger Things Ok now thats out of the way, this was another album I had heard people hyping up. I am glad to say, similar to the Television album I got yesterday, that it lives up to the hype. While I don't think its the greatest thing I've ever heard I can appreciate the unique instrumentation and sound choices. Especially for a pop record. Also side B of the album lives up to its description of being about "a woman drifting alone in the sea at night" 3.5/5 that I have no problem rounding up to a 4.

such a range on this album which i appreciate and im sure when this dropped it was unlike anything else

2/12 bekannt 7/10 Beste Songs: under ice, cloudbusting, running up that hill

Pretty chill, good for a slow morning

I’m definitely a Kate Bush fan so I knew this would be a good time. I thought she was gonna lose me in the second half but it was just a couple of songs I didn’t vibe with that knocked it down a bit for me, particularly ‘Waking the witch’. I didn’t skip, I persevered but I really didn’t enjoy that one or the following track. But she reeled me right back in with ‘Jig of life’ which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I didnt love every track but the standouts are excellent. 4 stars.

This was a weird album! It fits more with stranger things than I realized.

I first heard Running Up That Hill as a Placebo song before I knew it was a cover. And of course heard a lot of the original after Stranger Things made it popular. And Cloudbusting I heard the Matthew Good cover first. So this is the first really listening to Kate Bush. I was a big fan of Tori Amos and always heard that she copied Kate's sound, and I can hear that. But ya, it was really good.

Wow! I'm a few years late to the party here but very fun album. Some big bops, some weird experimental that don't overstay their welcome. I love the witch fighting an increasingly demonic hunter.

This album became very interesting. Cool sounds, unusual chords, and ethereal vocals. Felt kinda progressive. It was a lot of fun!

The 80s personified

what a killer debut opening track. unfortunately kinda zoned out while working and listening throughout the album after that. I did like the marching band sounds of Cloudbusting. I liked how haunting Under Ice is. Waking the Witch was awesome and weird and completely unexpected. The return to instrumentals for a subtle pop song at the end with The Morning Fog was a nice reset from some of the art pop sensibilities on the past few songs. Overall enjoyed Kate Bush's creative decisions and this album's explorations, even if it did not necessarily cement itself as one of my personal favorites for this listen.

4,5/5

3.5

Keep running up that hill/5

Smasher.

Music to smash Venca to.

💜KATE💜

Unique doesn’t begin to describe her sound. I was surprised by how much of this album I enjoyed.

Honestly I wasn't suuuper in the mood for this today, but it's still a beautiful listen, and Cloudbusting is one of my all-time favorites. It's Kate Bush. It's a great album.

Having watched enough Stranger Things, I am somewhat familiar with the 1st song. But beyond that, everything is new to me. Surprisingly, I found this album pretty damn good. Is it the best thing I've ever heard? No. But based on what my preconceptions were I'd say I was more than just a bit surprised to have enjoyed this as much as I did. I am an "Enthusiast" according to this app. I continue along that vein: 4 enthusiastic stars for an artist I would have willingly put down a 1 grand bet in guessing how much I would hate this album. Alas, I would have been 1 grand poorer. Luckily, I am not a betting man.

She's amazing. Great album.

Really good album! The obvious tunes are bangers (Running Up That Hill, Hounds Of Love, Cloudbursting, etc). I think I prefer The Dreaming as an album (just about) but I can see why this is the more popular!

Loved the first half and the last song

kinda eerie ngl

Expansive. Feels maximalist in the number of elements. Especially when compared with the other album by Kate Bush that I'm familiar with: 50 words for snow. Some of the elements don't age super well, especially the synthetic string tones. The sound collages are awesome. The arrangements and composition are ace. Jig of Life is wow

Some bangers

4/5. Alguns clássicos, ótimas melodias e traços experimentais em algumas faixas.

abwechlungsreich und sehr eigener Vibe

I had to break this down track by track to understand my thoughts: 1. "Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)" 5 2. "Hounds of Love" 5 3. "The Big Sky" 5 4. "Mother Stands for Comfort" 4 5. "Cloudbusting" 5 6. "And Dream of Sheep" 3 7. "Under Ice" 3 8. "Waking the Witch" 5 9. "Watching You Without Me" 3 10. "Jig of Life" 3 11. "Hello Earth" 4 12. "The Morning Fog" 3 Turns out I think Side A is close to perfect, but Side B I generally consider "mid". And Dream of Sheep" and "Under Ice" are way too slow and underwhelming to continue the story. Waking the Witch is so cool and unique. I found the Jig of Life and the Morning Fog to be the weakest tracks, which is too bad because the latter is the closer. All around my score averaged to a 4, which is still high given the relative weakness of the second half. 4/5

8/10

No se si será el mejor album de la Bush, pero la segunda partee (que seria la cara B y va de una señora navegando sola por la noche) me ha sorprendido para bien, despues de lo poco que me estaba gustando la primera, "Runnin up that hill" es lo mejor del album

First time listening to Kate. The artistry and variety made me think of Bowie.

Nice one! 1980s revisited, re-seen, re-understood. Versatile, trance-y, spacey

Not sure what to even say about this. I appreciate her as an artist which she clearly is. But this is just not my thing, still probably 4 stars and I like some songs but her voice is just so shrill to me and I really have to be in the mood. Good music. I like all the Irish and Celtic influences here.

good, kind of want more bass in some songs, cool vocals

i like the different moods and sounds in the songs, it gives kind of theatrical vibe to the album

Loved this. It doesn’t sound like anything else, and especially nothing else from the mid 80s. LOVE the production choices, the weird noises and instrument choices, and how she uses her voice in unusual ways, even the way she uses a “hey yo” part for backing vocals which sounds odd for some reason but works so well.

sometimes i feel like im climing up this incline again alone but thankully sisypus and the itsy bitsy spider and here with me holy shit is that kate bush

kind of feels like... enya/celtic woman vibes but on coke? or like florence welch. on coke. great vibes though. 'cloudbursting' was a good one

feels good to have this one as my first one. ultimate classic

Ok so I know Kate had her big resurgence with Stranger Things, but I first heard her thanks to a unique—and excellent—cover she did of Elton’s “Rocket Man”. This is exactly the sound I want—like she’s writing an album specifically for the weird outsider teenage girl in a John Hughes movie.

Very interesting album, with progressive ideas and ingesting songs. I liked it

*listened before the project* One of the best white pop albums, and the cover is so gorgeous. But the second half is still exhausting.

loved it , weird in an awesome way

Love the first song… the last one was good too. Some of the others were a little creepy (mother stands for comfort, waking the witch). Overall super creative but wouldn’t necessarily listen again. Love the dogs on the album cover tho. Witchy vibes, would maybe play around Halloween??

First half is far superior to the second half

didnt like deal with god much but Hounds of love was really interesting i like the production of it and the beat was really good i like couldbusting the repeating yeahs are cool, sound like a hype up song but sad? didnt think i would hear distortion like that but it definatly makes sense for the track i like the jig of life after everything i think it was good but not for every day

This album surprised me in a good way. Great song to start and the album constantly transforms and experiments as it goes on. I'll add this to my library. Great use of the violin 🎻

Such a witchy album!

While this album doesn’t “blow me out of the water”, there’s a lot to like here and a lot of experimentation that pushes the boundaries of pop music that I respect greatly. I can hear Chapelle Roan from this, and I would be shocked if Kate Bush wasn’t an influence of hers. I loved Jig of Life, was a really fun track. Obviously Running Up That Hill is the most famous song, and rightly so. Great album, deserves to be a 4 star.

A fun and interesting listen, but probably won’t be on repeat. Favorite songs were Running Up That Hill (obvious choice) and Cloudbusting.

absolute cinema

Hounds of Love is a genuinely unique and innovative pop record, and still sounds unlike anything else from its era. It’s a thrilling listen from start to finish, balancing accessibility with ambition in a way very few artists manage. Every song feels purposeful and fully realised. The music is rich and inventive, while the lyrics are vivid, story-led and deeply imaginative. Bush comes across not just as a pop star, but as a poet and conceptual artist, weaving emotion, drama and experimentation into songs that remain instantly engaging. Favourite tracks: Running Up That Hill and Hounds of Love – iconic, timeless pop songs that fully deserve their iconic status. Least favourite track: Waking the Witch was very odd. Album artwork: A cool, distinctive cover that perfectly matches the album

Maybe the best pop album of the 80s next to Songs From The Big Chair. Still sounds amazing. Hounds of Love can be overwhelming at times, it's more like a record for a special occasion.

12/30/25. I've heard so much about this album and I understand why it's so popular. Very expansive and nothing seems off-limits when it comes to its sound. Really enjoyed it on my first run, but will need more listens.

I knew Kate Bush, but hadn’t listened to this record in its entirety. Of course I know Running Up That Hill, and it’s a great one, so no initial thoughts with that tune. But then 2 more songs in, and I’m thinking “”Eureka! Kate Bush was Björk before Björk was Björk!” So many similarities in the way Bush uses her voice as an instrument to the way Björk does. Really cool. Anyway, lot to like here, but some I didn’t (Waking the Witch was like nails on a chalkboard). Bush was truly an innovator in pop and the stuff she did set the stage for many to follow.

Really good!

8/10

- already somewhat familiar (specifically with running up that hill due to strager things) - running up that hill - catchy and recognizable - i love her voice - hounds of love - i like the string instruments in the back and the vocals - the big sky - makes me feel like im driving into the distance on a summer day - it feels kinda relatable cuz id kill to be a kid just looking at the sky again - potential fav - mother stands for comfort - the intro with the drum beat made m eexpect something more upbeat - its not something i might listen to regularly - kinda reminds me of some of mitskis newer stuff - cloudbusting - love the backtrack - sounds so familiar but cant place it - i love how she makes music out of stories and books like wuthering heights and i lowk wanna try that - potential fav - she always has such cool back tracks - and dream of sheep - piano reminds me of mama im coming home by ozzy - makes me lowk sad and its very emotional - familar and sad themes - under ice - this makes me feel like im walking to battle - idk if id listen to it much more but i understand the potential appeal - waking the witch - i really like the shift from the intro to the vocals and music coming in - i love how you feel you are going thru the experience in the song watching you without me - vibey - its neat how shes telling a story and connecting all these songs as this girl lost at sea, then witch hunted and now continuing to watch over her lover - like the reverse vocal thing - witchy vibe - i realy like how she adds in sea elements woth that theme of being lost at theme thru the songs - jig of life - this being a future self giving a pep talk is lowk perfect cuz id kill for that future me to come give me a pep talk rn to push thru - like the folky scottish sound with the like pipes and fiddles - hello earth - not my usual sound but looking up background on it its super cool that she used the part from noseferatu - the morning fog - lowk wanna learn the guitar/mandolin? or wtv that is part - rlly like it - feels like spring - this album feels like an early spring morning where theres a crispness to the air but you have the warm sun shining on you and all the snow from thwe winter is slowly melting - fav - the big sky or cloudstopper but more the big sky - least fav- under ice - would listen to again and adding favs to my playlist!!

Heard it already. Awesome.

Interesting bit. Made me uneasy at the start, but maybe it's because I've slept so little. Weird, dreamy pop, a little bit Jim Steinman inspired if I may hypothesize.

I mean, c’mon. It’s Kate Bush. Never given a Kate album a full listen though in fairness. What the hell is happening in “Waking the Witch” 😭😭

"Aerial" is similar but even better.

Kate Bush is coo

She’s got that very ’80s vibe that still feels completely unique all these years later. Hounds of Love is the perfect mix of her theatrical instincts, fantastical lyrics, dreamy voice, and a surprisingly danceable sound. And what a feat - to go so low-key for so long and then resurface in such an epic way with her music featured in Stranger Things. Her creative journey must make her giggle all the time.

Quand même assez fucké. C'est la première fois que je la vois sous cet angle.

The first time I heard her was in Stranger Things, and I love this album like Max. I really love Cloudbusting, And Dream Of Sheep, Running Up That Hill

Quite a good album. Pretty different from what I've heard before; though that's not a bad thing.

4/5 ♡ cloudbusting hounds of love running up that hill

zo’n unieke sound en experimenteel i love it

Good album. Running Up That Hill, Big Sky, and Cloudbusting are great songs. The second half “Ninth Wave” wasn’t as approachable or pop friendly but it was an impressive showcase of Kate Bush’s creativity and her use of technology/sampling.

I own this cd but haven’t listened to it in probably 25 years. Running up that hill and Could busting are favourites. She’s always had a different sound, pretty and haunting. Not on this album, Wuthering Heights should be checked out if you liked this. 3.5 stars. Rounding up for this one.

Favourites: ★ Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) ★ And Dream of Sheep The Morning Fog

own

Great discovery and overall a great time. Beyond the world famous "Running up that hill" I was pleased to discover a lot of cool songs, with changes in style. Standouts: Waking the Witch, Watching you without me, Mother means comfort.

I didn't realize this STARTS with "Running Up That Hill". Talk about a hot start. This list has exposed me more and more to Kate Bush, having already gotten her albums released before and after this one specifically. "Hounds of Love" definitely represents a step up from her previous works, almost sounding more complete and put-together, thanks in part to the heavy chorale and classical arrangements mixing with "modern" instrumentation (synthesizers, primarily). It really puts everything on a pedestal, raising everything to an operatic level, which is really the only way Kate Bush's artiness and songwriting can be captured I think.

I love the revival of this album because of current television and culture. She’s so good!

Great album. I remember her as the floaty weirdo that girls like but this is a triumph

I think this album is fantastic. Of course, I didn't discover it until Stranger Things 4 featured Runnin' Up That Hill- inarguably the biggest hit of the album. But the rest of the album is cerebral, layered with instruments, and excellently produced- it was self-produced afaik. It also feels personal, not like a product of a studio or an artistic compromise. Highly recommend for both the auditory entertainment and the cultural significance in music history.

My interest started going down at Waking the Witch. Otherwise a really good album.

Great album. Varied and interesting with the skein of her odd voice rubbing through it. I guess I'm a sucker for unusual singers. I quite enjoy rush. I feel like folks either love or hate them. Wake the witch and the first track are standouts here for me.

amazing album, never listened to it all before. I only knew the singles.

my queen

I'm not sure I've listened to this entire album before. Thoroughly enjoyed it, what a magical voice she has

A Classic

I'd not listened to this album for about 40 years and it's a bit of a revelation. In my callow youth I was obviously distracted by the bangers on Side 1 (in old money). And Cloudbusting is still the stand out for me. But all these years later it's Side 2 that's the revelation. I had no idea it was so good. It's like nothing I've heard in pop, apart from the brief helicopter quote from The Wall (can that really be right?) It carries you more like a good piece of classical music. Maybe I was just too busy doing student stuff to bother turning the record over... My only downer would be that over use of the Fairlight mars the production somewhat (a curse of many mid-80s albums). A very solid 4*.

A lovely introduction to this new project, seeing as I had already listened to Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) through its inclusion in the soundtrack for the fourth season of Stranger Things on Netflix. I'm currently in a pretty stressful period for any student with finals, and listening to this album helped calm me down in some way and actually made me sit down this afternoon and continue cramming. The night before, I started listening and had an almost religious-like experience with And Dream of Sheep. I would say those two, along with The Big Sky, were my three standouts on first listen. Some tracks are quite a bit more experimental than others, and I know that with further listens, I will come to enjoy them even more. For now, this was a great fun listen with some really great standouts, first instinct tells me 4 stars, so that is what it will get.

I wish I could explain why I like this album so much that I find myself revisiting it over and over. Maybe it's her voice? Maybe the arrangements? There's a magic here I can't put my finger on, I need to stop asking why and just enjoy it

2.5

Great pop music. Great voice. Mystical. Great lyrics. Interesting song constructions. Earlier introduction to Kate Bush through Peter Gabriel, not just a Stranger Things hype. Truly the type of pop I like, when its progressive.

This was a good revisit. It's not quite for me as it once was, and in a way it never quite was, but it's very beautiful, expressive and perfect. Big big sounds. Drums like thunder. Deep emotions. Flouncing.

Amazingly creative artist, unfortunately now known for one song and it’s now owned by Stranger Things

Made in her own barn, which is impressive. The album makes me drift and dream.

we’re cloudbusting daddy!

interesting. would probably grow on me with a couple more listens.

Really creative and clever lyrics, and unique to her style. Enjoyed a lot

L F G - also with stranger things coming out?? timing!!

Running up that hill is a classic, but this is overall really interesting. I really liked the song Watching You Without Me. This immediately followed by some irish shit is so tough. Really good album.

This album reminds me a lot of Tori Amos—at least when it leans into the piano rather than the synthesizers. Kate Bush was never really in my wheelhouse, especially not back in 1985. She just never seemed to show up on the radio or MTV during those impressionable years. I always assumed she was one of those underrated UK artists that only certain listeners knew about, only learning about her three decades later. That said, the album was much more enjoyable than I expected, even with “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” being so overplayed in 2022 thanks to Stranger Things Season 4. While there were a couple of tracks I didn’t care for—specifically “Waking the Witch” and “Watching You Without Me,” mostly because the strange skipping, stuttering background vocals felt a little unsettling—I thought the album overall was really solid. Hats off to Kate Bush for this one. I’m not sure I’d rank it as highly as some fans and critics do, but it was absolutely worth the listen, and I’m glad it made the 1001 Albums list.

Magnificent

Funnily enough I got this on the day I lwatched the stranger things finale which features the first song. Where I live in Sydney each winter they have a Kate Bush day in the local park - hundreds of people turn up wearing red and black a la Wuthering Heights and dance to that I’m the park, and then run up a little hill lblasting Running Up that hill. Anyway. No one else sounds anything like this - what a crazy, cool album.

Good 80s pop

"Mother stands for comfort", great great song 👌

I'm a person who is very critic with 80's pop music as I find it to have the worst sound in comparison with another trending styles. I think the synths sounded super cheesy and the drums artificially loud. But once in a while, I'm wrong, and it feels great to be wrong. This album is one of those moments, since this record sounds fantastic, and it manages to sound incredibly big thanks to the spectacular orchestration. Ironically, this album starts with the only song that follows a way more conventional pop song structure. 'Running Up That Hill'. There are synths, guitar, drums and vocals as any other hit from that time. But it is incredibly well done. But then the song 'Hounds of Love' comes, and it is when the string instruments start to appear, and apart of Kate's singing, they are going to be the main protagonist of the whole album. Well, I said that, but in the following song, 'The Big Sky', what truly shines is the incredibly funky bass. Still has some particular moments of big orchestration, like the start or the piano that is in the background of the whole track. However, everything is overshadowed by the superb bass. So, after the very energetic opening with these three songs, the album lands in its first slow moment, 'Mother Stands for Comfort', and what an incredibly powerful track. It talks about how much a mother figure is capable of doing for her children, (which makes it already a standout), while Kate gives the most calm, impactful and sincere performance of the whole project. Then comes 'Cloudbusting', which brightens the mood left by the previous song by bringing again those spectacular string melodies. So catchy and strong. It may not be as energetic as the first songs, but still a highlight for how beautiful it is. After it, is the song 'And Dream of Sheep', a very subtle track, but also the first one that I'm not that crazy about. It sounds wonderful though. However, the following song may be one of my favourites. I love how intense and serious 'Under Ice' sounds. The combination of Kate's singing in a very low register and the low string melodies are absolutely fantastic. Next is 'Waking the Witch' a very interesting song thanks to its narrative. It starts with a very beautiful piano and a lot of voices asking Kate to wake up. Then the piano is interrupted by Kate's glitchy voice, followed by a very low and spectral voice which will be interchanging lines with the singer. Mixing all of these elements with the casual prays Kate recited, the song ends up creating this narrative of her waking up frightened while something is trying to posses here, and she trying to escape it. Thankfully, things calm down with the song 'Watching You Without Me'. It is very similar to 'And Dream of Sheep' in both being subtle and how I feel about it, but this one does something very cool that the other doesn't. In this cut, Kate sang the lyrics backwards, but then she reversed her voice so anyone could understand what she is saying while giving it a very peculiar effect. And then comes 'Jig of Life', a very charming and catchy Irish folk song, followed by 'Hello Earth' a song that feels slow but also has two very dramatic and powerful build ups with big choirs and strings, that I wish didn't end so drastically. Finally, the last track 'The Morning Fog' ends the album in a charming and positive note way. I have to say that I don't think it is that strong of a song, specially considering it is the ending, but still great. In conclusion, this album is super fun and colorful, packed with some incredibly ideas and performances.

Interesting topics throughout

Awesome in any time period, but for 1985 this was downright revolutionary.

7/10 Favorite: Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)

Great album from Kate Bush never listened to this album fully and found some of the songs quite mysterious in nature. Would definitely listen to this again

84% Best: Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God); The Big Sky; Cloudbusting; Waking The Witch; Hello Earth Must-Hear? Sure

I really like this - very unique you don’t hear many albums like this! Very ethereal - I can’t see myself coming back to the second half of this album but I like the first half - a little more then a 4 for me like 4.3 - I really liked big sky

Surprisingly good. I have never been a fan of Kate Bush, but listening to the whole album at once was enjoyable. I liked the abstract bits and didn't find her voice as jarring as listening to the singles on radio 2.

Kate Bush has a talent for taking somewhat simple beginnings on songs and turning them in songs that feel MASSIVE ( Cloudbusting, Jig of Life, Running Up That Hill). This album makes you feel with so many of its songs like you are just shy of making a break through, right on the edge of something. Others like Under Ice, Waking the Witch take that to more of a level of feel like in a thriller movie where something is about to catch up with and get the protagonist. Not every song is a classic, but when this album does hit it hits hard. (I've loved Cloudbusting and RUTH(DWG) for over five years since I first heard them back just after covid, so I am a little biased towards them already)

Way ahead of her time superb album, the closest to a modern day equivalent would be Florence and the machine.

Although I love this album...obviously the pinicle of her career...I don't find it as accessible as her debut album The Kick Inside...though I'm sure to be in the minority of Kate Bush fans...truth is o prefer The Red Shoes...only my opinion.

I was absolutely taken with this. I love arty, creative people just following thier muse wherever it leads. It’s baroque, operatic, beat-heavy, and timeless. It’s a 4.5 on first listen and could easily grow to a 5.

Good album in general. At some points unfortunately too experimental, otherwise it would have been a 5/5.

Kind of weird near the end, but also has some great songs - it grew on me more with every listen.

I’ve already been a fan of this album and Kate Bush’s brand of dreamy, literature-inspired pop. It was nice to give this one a listen again.

On the one hand it’s a superior but of mid 80s pop. On the other the arrangements and production is avant garde.

Although it's probably not an album I'll likely reach for again, it's everything a good album should be. Interesting, adventurous, and takes you to the places the artist intended. I look forward to listening again when I start the list over.

здравый альбом но пять чета не хочу ставить

Lovely.

Whilst I don't always love Kat Bush's music, there's no denying her creative vision and dedication to producing the songs she wants to make. This album, then, perfectly encompasses that vision and makes for a rich and rewarding listen.

Already a fan, what a woman

The classics on this album have bumped my score up to a 4. Best song Big sky.

This is one that I never would have listened to if it weren't for this project. l played through it a couple times today. It's... interesting to say the least. I can 100% hear Tori Amos and Fiona Apple being influenced by this album. It's got moments that really stuck to me. Waking The Witch comes to mind. It's not at all what I would typically put on to listen to. A bit too 80s Laura Branigan pop in general production for my taste, but there's something about her voice and style... I'm going to have to come back to this one to really dive into it. It may just go into rotation. Soft 4.

Really enjoyed this. The singles in particular are brilliant. Non singles I loved include under the ice. The album feels more like a novel. The last song, The Morning Fog is actually amazing.

that girl! she walked so everyone else can run

Favorite tracks: Running Up That Hill, The Big Sky, Jig of Life This album was really fun, Kate Bush has a beautiful but completely unpredictable voice and style. A few bits were a little more experimental than I would care for, but this album definitely deserves its place on this list.

Album No. 0045 on my list. Phew, I find it hard to come up with a rating for this album. First of all, it's not a bad one certainly, so I'll give it more than two stars. Second, I don't think it will ever become an all-time favorite, so I won't give it five. It's either three or four stars. And I think that I'll give the album four after all. Beyond the iconic "Running Up That Hill", there are some pretty good songs in the first half of the album ("The Big Sky", "Cloudbusting"), and why I didn't enjoy the scond half as much, I can still appreciate the interesting, creative idea of combining half a "regular" and half a "concept" album. Beyond, while I'm not the biggest fan of Bush's voice, I appreciate her singing technique, and some of the music of this album feels pretty modern for a 40-year old album actually. So in the end: 4/5 stars!

I rarely listen to Kate Bush, but when I do, I usually enjoy it. That's how I felt about this album. It was nice to hear it again, and I'll probably listen to it again. But probably not in the near future. 4/5

Never listening to Kate Bush loads but I totally get it, amazing depth and incredibly experimental and innovative. Some absolute incredible bangers and look at that fucking album cover!

really good, didn't realize some of these songs were used in movies and social media. know i know the names of them

An album of weird bangers. I'm more of a Tori fan, but this is Kate's best.

Kate Bush is pretty pretty good. Art Rock. 4.49 stars

Baby's first art-pop record, and a good one too. Kate Bush literally owns the word baroque with one of the best and luscious, orchestrated pieces ever put on record. Combined with a couple of 80s synths and you get yourself an ethereal experience. Perhaps it is a frontloaded album with a lukewarm back half, but the highs are too high for me to care. Favorite tracks: Running Up That Hill, Hounds of Love, The Big Sky, Cloudbusting, Hello Earth, The Morning Fog

Whacky and theatrical. Equally feels ahead of its time and also perfectly 80s. Some really gorgeous songs on here, proper emotional storytelling. I get why people are turned off, it's a thin line of w*nkiness

Pretty strong a side but it fizzles out a bit

Great album A few skips Kinda like Stevie Nicks

Great artist, pretty good album. A lot of lyrical imagery and inspiration, unafraid of layering innovative sounds and synth. The album experience is pretty coherent — but I just don't enjoy all of the tracks, though I find some of them are brilliant. 4.5/5