HOUNDS OF LOVE

1. Running up that hill (5:03) One of the most beautiful singles of the eighties. A track everyone probably knows, so no further comment necessary. A high 9/10.

2. Hounds of love (3:03) The title track has a great feeling of urgentness about it. It is original in concept, including the spoken introduction by a male voice, and made the charts as well (a UK top20 hit). 9/10.

3. The big sky (4:41) It seems that even the best albums have a mediocre track on it somewhere, and to me it is this one. Although it is one of the charms of music that for others (like Chopper), this is one of the best. For me it rather falls flat. 7/10.

4. Mother stands for comfort (3:08) This unknown gem on the other hand is one of my all-time favourite Kate Busk tracks. It is deceptively simple on first hearings, but unfolds its beauty after repeated listenings. It is a slightly mournful ballad telling the tale of a murderer who suspects his mother "knows that I've been doing something wrong", but "she won't mind me lying". 10/10.

5. Cloudbusting (5:10) The second single drawn from the album, this masterpiece will always be linked to the fantastic video clip featuring Donald Sutherland as her father and Kate in a short-haired wig as a little boy. Musically, it is a well-rounded masterpiece, with original instrumentation (cellos rhythmically dominating), a beautiful melody and great lyrics telling the tale of father and son from the childs perspective ("just saying it can even make it happen"). Kate was inspired by Peter Reich's A Book of Dreams which told of his relationship with his father Wilhelm. The video and song actually tell the true tale of Wilhelm eventually being arrested by the government and imprisoned for his ideas. He died behind bars. 10/10.

THE NINTH WAVE 6. And dream of sheep (2:45) 7. Under ice (2:21) 8. Waking the witch (4:18) 9. Watching you without me (4:07) 10. Jig of life (4:04) 11. Hello earth (6:13) 12. The morning fog (2:34)

And this brings us to the most bewildering part of the album: the B-side. Although listed as seven separate songs, Kate Bush herself baptized this combination The ninth wave. Indeed, the songs belong together like one big composition. The music varies from semiclassical choruses to Irish jigs, with a helicopter borrowed from Pink Floyd thrown in for good measure. Kate Bush has never sounded so far out - and never so impressive. Anybody who thinks Kate Bush does not belong on this site should listen to this prog masterpiece. One of my all-time favourite top ten tracks. 10/10.

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