THE DREAMING

I've listened to this 8 times in the last 3 days and i'm still trying to sort it all out. Haha. Finnforest warned me that this was an experimental album but I don't think anything would have prepared me for this ! Kate really pushes the boundries here and you really could place this album in the Avant-garde section it's that unusual. She really pulled out all the stops though, from the Celtic instruments, to the strings, to the effects and samples, to the bizarre vocals, it's all here folks. All I have to compare this to is her debut which was so passionate and emotional. At this point in her career she's wanting to progress and try new things and I think overall it's a success.

"Sat In Your Lap" opens with drums and piano as vocals come in. Horns come and go.The vocals are pretty wild at times and male vocals help out. "There Goes A Tenner" is kind of silly with piano and drums as horns come and go. I like the mellow passages a lot. It's a funny tale about robbing a bank of all things. "Pull Out The Pin" is a good track where Kate gets theatrical at times and male vocals sing "Pull out the pin". Some interesting sounds in this one. It gets dissonant before 3 1/2 minutes. "Suspended In Gaffa" has that silly vibe when the piano and vocals open the proceedings. Check out her high pitched backup vocals. Some strings in this one. "Leave It Open" features more outlandish vocals from Kate as male vocals help out. A fuller sound comes in before 2 1/2 minutes. It gets even more powerful late.

"The Dreaming" starts the second half of this record and it's my favourite half at that. This is a catchy tune that for some reason reminds me of that song "Fast & Furious" haha. I like the Celtic instruments used on this one. Very cool track. "Night Of The Swallow" is another excellent track (my favourite) that reminds me of the debut because of the emotion. Her vocals are heart-breaking early. Love when the tempo picks up 2 minutes in and the uillean pipes arrive.Themes are repeated. "All The Love" is a relaxing tune with some great atmosphere. Another favourite. "Houdini" is where Ms Bush gives us her Peter Hammill impression. Haha ! Very theatrical at times. Strings in this one too. "Get Out Of My House" is spooky to open (about a haunted house) as drums and vocal melodies come in. Kate follows quickly. This one is pretty out there vocally at times. I like the guitar that comes and goes.

It's only been the last couple of listens that i've started to appreciate what she's doing here. New things keep popping up I didn't hear before. 3.5 stars.