NEVER FOR EVER

For her third album, Kate called in a veritable army of musicians, so it is strange that the over-riding impression is of sparse piano and voice based songs. Here we have 11 short track, some of which are segued together while others stand alone.

In general terms, I find the music hard to get excited about. Even when you become attuned to Bush's unique high pitched vocal style, it can still become wearing after successive songs. The music can be challenging beyond the confines of standard singer songwriter fare, "Blow away" (which name checks late artists such as Sid Vicious, Buddy Holly and Sandy Denny) for example is reasonably complex in terms of the time and mood changes, but they are so condensed in the 3 minute framework, that there is little room for development of the themes. Track after track follows a similar pattern, to the extent that the apparent complexity becomes almost predictable.

Clearly, a great deal of thought and effort has gone into each piece, in terms of arrangement, lyrics, and composition. Rarely however does Bush's voice become anything other than the dominant sound. It is only really when we reach the final track, "Breathing" that we find any real development, and even then it is in the form of vocalising.

Don't get me wrong, there are some very pleasant songs here, from the perfect pop of "Babooshka" (a huge hit single) to the delicately reflective "Army dreamers". Bush's relationship with prog though is in a similar format to bands like 10C.C., she takes well composed pop, and perfects it through complex arrangements.

Share this KATE BUSH review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Easy Livin
• Report this review (#111948)
• Buy KATE BUSH music online with PA partners
• Show all KATE BUSH MP3/Stream
• Go to KATE BUSH page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Never For Ever page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for KATE BUSH related discussions