AERIAL

"Aerial" is the 8th full-length studio album by UK pop/rock artist Kate Bush. The album was released through EMI/Columbia Records in November 2005. "Aerial" is a double album with a 80:02 minute long playing time. Kate Bush last album "The Red Shoes" was released in 1993, so "Aerial" has been 12 years in the making. Kate Bush became a mother during those years though and have dedicated much of her time on parenthood.

It´s obvious from the get go Kate Bush has matured quite a bit since the release of "The Red Shoes (1993)", and while her music and her singing are easily recognisable as her style and sound, it´s especially the lyrics that are different from past lyrical subjects. The sensual themes are toned down considerably and instead the tracks primarily revolve around everyday life. There´s a track about doing the laundry ("Mrs. Bartolozzi") and a track about Kate Bush love for her son ("Bertie"). The new lyrical approach is ultimately quite charming although it undeniably lacks the edge of past output.

With an 80 minutes long playing time there´s always the possibility of fillers but I don´t think that´s the case with "Aerial". All tracks are well crafted and performed but it is an album that takes time and listens before it sinks in. The second disc with the title "A Sky of Honey" is sort of a concept piece. While the 12 years that have gone by since "The Red Shoes (1993)" have matured certain elements of Kate Bush sound, the music on "Aerial" is rather typical for Kate Bush. There are the mellow piano and song oriented pieces featured and the more keyboard dominated pop songs are featured too. Most tracks feature slightly experimental sections or arrangements that lifts her music to a more intriguing level than standard commercial pop/rock tunes.

The musicianship are on a high level. Kate Bush is an outstanding vocalist capable of putting all sorts of emotions into her singing. She has a lower range these days but the emotional impact her voice leaves is the same.

"Aerial" is packed in a sound production that is warm, organic, and pleasant. A perfect match for the music on the album. While "Aerial" is a more mature and reflective album by Kate Bush, it doesn´t quite reach the heights of her early and most celebrated work (the first five studio albums). She is still quite the unique artist though, and while "Aerial" doesn´t exactly conjure up the magic of the past, it´s still a solid comeback release and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.