THE KICK INSIDE

Kate Bush's first album is very well balanced: the omnipresent piano, the background keyboards, the lead vocals, the electric and acoustic guitars, the bass and the drums work together and produce loaded and rather rhythmic tracks. The tracks duration (ranging between 2 and 4 minutes) is not sufficient enough to classify this record as pure progressive rock, but, although the rhythm and patterns do not change excessively, this record is certainly progressive related. The keyboards are not extremely present, (Fender Rhodes and a few discreet organ parts), but the omnipresent rhythmic piano, the backing vocals and the other instruments are elaborated enough to fully compensate.

I do not find the saxophone on "Saxophone song" very attractive, but the track is very good: it begins with real whale sounds, I think, and it has a more melodramatic mood than the other tracks. Just listen to the orchestral arrangements on "Man with the child in his eyes": it is absolutely GREAT! On this track, one can hear the more "normal" voice of Kate: I wonder why she did not exploit more this kind of tone. There is the beautiful & catchy hit, "Wuthering heights", not to be missed. The piano & vocals- oriented songs will continue in her next album, "Lionheart", which is more delicate, elaborated and progressive.

Rating: 4.5 stars