HOUNDS OF LOVE

This is *the* one. Of all Kate Bush's output this is the album you would most likely recommend to someone. Its not her wierdest, arguably not her most "proggy" but it balances accessibility with concept and great music/lyrics.

Theres a wide selection of instruments on display here, from violins, very prominent on Cloudbusting, Synthesisers (very creepy on Mother SFC,) Keyboards (Brilliant on Dreams of Sheep especially) and very Good Drumming on display in most of the songs, especially in the "Hounds of Love" section (the albums singles.) Kate's eclectic influences are very on display here, from the poppier elements (opening songs) to sections that are very dark, creepy and almost psychadelic (mid section) to folk and world music influences towards the end. Sound effects are well used, atmospheric, wierd and funny in equal measure.

Despite the album being split into 2 segments, the two sections go suprisingly well together when listening to the album from start to finish.

Hounds of Love Running up the Hill (10/10) Hounds of Love (10/10) The Big Sky (9/10) Mother Stands for Comfort (9/10) Cloudbusting (10/10)

The Ninth Wave And Dreams of Sheep (9/10) Under Ice (9/10) Waking the Witch (8/10) Watching You Without Me (8/10) Jig of Life (9/10) Hello Earth (9/10) The Morning Fog (8/10)

Excellent melodies, good lyrics, varied and proggy while maintaining accessibility. One of my top albums of all time.