I’d start with her debut and go on from there, it’ll be really interesting for you to see her musical evolution over the albums getting more and more unique! I just wouldn’t bother with Director’s Cut from 2011 ;)
To this day I can't go through "cloudbusting", specifically when she says "just saying it could even make it happen" without bursting in tears. Such a masterpiece!
This is hands down one of the best albums ever recorded by a male or female recording artist! It is a milestone in pop and rock. It is a game changer... Complex, compelling and yet fresh and exciting. Madonna's Ray Of Light is clearly inspired by Kate Bush.
Seeing her in 2014 was one of the best nights of my life. The entire ninth wave live as the second act was incredible, so visual. We were at sea with her! She ended the concert with Cloud busting, it was so amazingly intense! I would go from the debut the kick inside all the way through to before the dawn. Her musical journey is incredible. And don’t forget “the other sides” tracks too, some gems there - under the ivy is one of my all time favourite songs.
Hounds of Love (the song) is so special. This song gives me such a melancholic feeling (but in a good way, like saudade) about looking for love, longing for it. That’s such a beautiful song and your interpretation is so good!
Oh gosh! I cant tell you how much I enjoyed this analysis! The album is undoubtedly a timeless iconic masterpiece. Period! But watching you get into Running Up the Hill and singing along was pure magic. Your emotions just poured out and it was very touching to see. And that passion and emotion carried throughout the entire reaction. Don’t know what else to say other than thank you for the continuous amazing content you put out for us music nerds! Sending you much love
Wow - thankyou, Eric. Without doubt the most thoughtful review I have found of one of my favourite albums. Most reviewers concentrate on the music. As exciting/experimental/beautiful as that music can be ,Kate's real magic, for me, has always been in the lyrics - in Kate's story-telling. Your review has added to my understanding and enjoyment of those lyrics.
The Netflix series “Pose” uses Running Up That Hill entirely and perfectly blending it with the struggles of what is going on between two adults whom are trying to make their challenging romance work through some obstacles. I Highly recommend that series.
That's exactly how I discovered her. I heard of her because of Big Boi from outkast is such a huge fan. Although, once I heard it on pose, that song immediately struck me so powerfully that I had to look her up. I saw her music video to Babooshka, the rest was history. She is an incredible performer, artist, and most importantly to how we get to experience her authenticity- a producer! A once in a lifetime talent. Truly. 💫
Great reaction Eric. One of my favourite song lyrics/lines of all time comes from this album, “tell me, we both matter, don’t we?” Simply thought provoking and iconic!!
Kate Bush is just magic. She just gets to my soul and stirs it. Hounds of Love, Cloud Busting, Running Up that Hill are like spells. I'm sure you know she did live shows a few years ago and released a double live album. The ninth wave is amazing. That album is so worth multiple listens from beginning to end.
I'm so glad to see you did Hounds of Love/Ninth Wave!!! What a masterwork, and your insights enhance the experience of this incredible album even more. Thank you! I love the music video for "The Big Sky"-- it led me to imagine the song is about escaping this world and finding another one above the clouds, where Amelia Earhart dances with pilots, flags, giraffes, and birds up in the clouds. Although of course it could be that AND the themes you explore here.
Eric, thanks for such a thoughtful and balanced review. I would love to see/hear your review of 50 Words for Snow, as it is such a restrained, dampened yet expansive album which is such a departure from the Dreaming and Hounds of Love. There is so much genius buried in the snow of that album.
Some additional points: * Though we can view the fox as a man when Kate comforts it, there is also the surface interpretation of the song: if men are aggressors, and love can be violent and painful, the fox can also be a woman (or Kate herself), running from men (dogs), and the metaphorical hounds of love who threaten to tear her apart. * Yes, absolutely, within a patriarchal framework, a woman's work can be internal (in the house, domestic sphere), and emotionally internal (comfort, love, nurturing), but also literally internal (carrying babies inside her body and giving birth to them). Compare the mother presence and roles in other Kate songs: being comforted by her mother in the video and whispered segment of Suspended in Gaffa from The Dreaming; the commentary on childbirth from the father's and mother's perspective in This Woman's Work from The Sensual World; and reflecting on memories after losing a mother to death in A Coral Room from Aerial.
Love this, I’ve always had a huge respect for Kate Bush, and This Woman’s Work always affects me deeply whenever i run into it, but your take on these fascinating themes and your infectious JOY and love for her and her work here has taken that respect to a new level. Thank you, and yes more artists you love!
Very nice analysis. Kate is my favorite musical artist, so it was really nice to hear you geek out about it. You remind me of me at your age listening to the album when it first came up and I was closer to your age. I'm going to have to check our your other reactions!
Kate guiding you to your happy place through this wonderful album is just so fun to watch. This was my first Kate album and I special ordered the vinyl LP in my little midwestern town as it was not available at music stores. Long time favorite. . . Love the common favorite tracks Running Up that Hill and Hounds of Love but I love The Big Sky, Waking the Witch and Jig of Life as well as Cloudbusting. The whole album is a sonic journey that I delight in to this day and it's nice to see you do as well. XO I also had This Woman's Work box set at one point and there's remixes in for The Big Sky and Cloudbusting that are amazing. (Also B-Sides that could easily have been releases)
I love your Kate nerdiness! And I’m so glad you already know the album (and know it well, I see by your quality lip synch!). And you know the stories behind the songs which are usually not apparent to a first listen. Great album and yes, cinematic and theatrical! Love Kate and your analysis! Thanks. ✨🤪
Amazing and very detailed review, Eric, as always! Since you ask for it: have you considered "50 words for snow" so far? Apart from Hounds Of Love, my second favorite of Kate's pieces.
I think The Big Sky is about how she her artistic integrity and endeavours were severely misunderstood when she released the Dreaming which was relatively underwhelming, commercially and critically at the time. Hence, "you never really understood me". Because what she was really doing as an artiste was to widen her horizon and never doing anything twice. And it was at the time of production of the Hounds of Love, where she reassessed her role as a musician which led to building her own home studio and retreating to the country side to gain new stimuli. She was looking at the 'Big Sky'.
I wonder what you would make of the music of my favourite band Sparks. They became famous here in the UK with their third album way back in 1974, but are natives of LA. Even after a 50 year career with 25 albums, they are a mystery to most of their fellow Americans (a recent documentary by Edgar Wright is doing its bit to remedy that situation). They have been cited as an influence, or at least an inspiration, by many more famous acts, including Morrisey, Kurt Cobain, Duran Duran, Bjork, New Order, Heaven 17, Erasure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Midge Ure, The Human League, Faith No More., Franz Ferdinand....the list goes on. Humour is a vital ingredient of their lyrics and visual presentations and, like Kate Bush, their songs frequently deal with subjects that you won't find elsewhere. You might start with their most famous album 'Kimono My House' but nearly everyone does that. Its follow-up 'Propaganda' is every bit as good and other strong recommendations would be 'Number 1 in Heaven', 'Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins' and 'Li'l Beethoven'. Their two most recent albums 'Hippopotamus' (2017) and 'A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip' (2020) both made number 7 in the UK album chart and are as innovative, witty and entertaining as anything they have ever released. I'm sure you'll have fun if you investigate them.
Having just seen your reaction to "The Dreaming," I guess I shouldn't be surprised that this was ever bit as enlightening. Very thoughtful throughout. My favorite Kate side is "The Ninth Wave" which is a stunning piece of brilliant music and story-telling to match.
I think she's absolutely dying in the end. I feel the German line "Tiefer, tiefer, irgendwo in der Tiefe gibt es ein Licht" at the end of Hello Earth is strongly implying that she's sinking to the bottom, towards the light signifying death.
In a radio interview many years ago about this album, Kate Bush said about the last track 'although the song doesn't say it, for me, this is where the rescue takes place'. But one of her most positive attributes as an artist is her readiness to allow each listener to form his or her own conclusion - whether or not that conclusion has anything to do with her original intentions.
One of my favourites female singers and I used to listen to this album everyday when I was in my freshman studying in the USA in 1985... sooo long ago 😭😭 time flies
This album is a masterpiece, such a beautifully perfect and intense work of art. I even won a contest by writing an essay about Hounds Of Love, I have such a special connection to it, it takes you on a spiritual journey😍
It's a totally different genre, but I would LOVE to see you react to Jill Scott's "Who Is Jill Scott?" Or any of her others-- but "He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)" from that first album is one of the most incredible, soulful, sensual, poetic, operatic jams ever recorded.
Kate Bush is not only a Singer, she is a Songwriter, Producer and a Musican like Annie Lennox (Why ,Song for a Vampire ) Cyndi Lauper (True Colors, I drove all night )
I think The Big Sky has to do with exiting a relationship where her partner had a completely different worldview (probably more pessimistic) and feeling a sense of relief now that it has ended. She is always looking up, dreaming and imagining possibilities, whereas her lover never really paid much attention to the sky or the clouds and was probably more drawn to things on the ground.
Kate is iconic. ♥️ I think you would like the following albums and they’d be good for reacting 😉 Drive by Bic Runga Dilate by Ani DiFranco Left of the Middle by Natalie Imbruglia
Btw although Kate def has inspired Björk and Tori, I know that they would have found their groove on their own. All three women began composing/releasing music in the late 70s. Of course, Björk rose to popularity in the late 80s and Tori in the early 90s, but it's pretty important to distinguish their paths as three creative forces. Btw that isn't meant as a dig at anyone, especially not legend Kate!
I am really really curious how you will react to Kate Bush's evil sister, Nina Hagen. I sugest you risk a full album: ua-cam.com/video/KBvUmL-YagI/v-deo.html It's probably the most unhinged and uncompromising burst of creativity in the history of use of human voice ever put on record, so I suggest you take the risk and go for the full album. If not, then here's an unmissable live performance of a song: ua-cam.com/video/9xi4O4RvlnQ/v-deo.html
shes not a good songwriter not really good. Just simple writing and i get it you love nina hagen but shes not a creative songwriter like kate because kate is much more creative than nina and everyone else except for bjork
What Kate Bush album should I react to next? :)
react to the dreaming please!!! it’s her best and the most interesting album imo.
I’d start with her debut and go on from there, it’ll be really interesting for you to see her musical evolution over the albums getting more and more unique!
I just wouldn’t bother with Director’s Cut from 2011 ;)
The Dreaming!!!!! 💜💜💜
I’m probably in the minority but I have such a soft spot for The Red Shoes also Aerial is genius
The sensual world
To this day I can't go through "cloudbusting", specifically when she says "just saying it could even make it happen" without bursting in tears. Such a masterpiece!
Masterpiece. Magnum Opus. Pure Artistic Brilliance. Forever in awe of this album and its beauty. 💜💜💜
this video should've been titled "Eric Mason fanboying about Hounds of Love for 30 minutes" i'm here for it!!
This is hands down one of the best albums ever recorded by a male or female recording artist!
It is a milestone in pop and rock. It is a game changer...
Complex, compelling and yet fresh and exciting.
Madonna's Ray Of Light is clearly inspired by Kate Bush.
Totally agree about "Running Up That Hill". One of the most perfect pop songs ever made.
And it just never gets old.
Seeing her in 2014 was one of the best nights of my life. The entire ninth wave live as the second act was incredible, so visual. We were at sea with her! She ended the concert with Cloud busting, it was so amazingly intense! I would go from the debut the kick inside all the way through to before the dawn. Her musical journey is incredible. And don’t forget “the other sides” tracks too, some gems there - under the ivy is one of my all time favourite songs.
Hounds of Love (the song) is so special. This song gives me such a melancholic feeling (but in a good way, like saudade) about looking for love, longing for it. That’s such a beautiful song and your interpretation is so good!
Oh gosh! I cant tell you how much I enjoyed this analysis! The album is undoubtedly a timeless iconic masterpiece. Period! But watching you get into Running Up the Hill and singing along was pure magic. Your emotions just poured out and it was very touching to see. And that passion and emotion carried throughout the entire reaction. Don’t know what else to say other than thank you for the continuous amazing content you put out for us music nerds! Sending you much love
Thank you so much! I always appreciate your kind and supportive comments. 🤗
Wow - thankyou, Eric. Without doubt the most thoughtful review I have found of one of my favourite albums. Most reviewers concentrate on the music. As exciting/experimental/beautiful as that music can be ,Kate's real magic, for me, has always been in the lyrics - in Kate's story-telling. Your review has added to my understanding and enjoyment of those lyrics.
I don’t know if it happens for you but “All you cruisers” always puts a tingle up my spine
The Netflix series “Pose” uses Running Up That Hill entirely and perfectly blending it with the struggles of what is going on between two adults whom are trying to make their challenging romance work through some obstacles. I Highly recommend that series.
That's exactly how I discovered her.
I heard of her because of Big Boi from outkast is such a huge fan.
Although, once I heard it on pose, that song immediately struck me so powerfully that I had to look her up. I saw her music video to Babooshka, the rest was history.
She is an incredible performer, artist, and most importantly to how we get to experience her authenticity- a producer!
A once in a lifetime talent. Truly. 💫
Great reaction Eric. One of my favourite song lyrics/lines of all time comes from this album, “tell me, we both matter, don’t we?” Simply thought provoking and iconic!!
Under Ice gives me chills each time! 🥰🥰 so psychedelic
“Wake up child! Pay attention!” - said by me a million times since 1985. In soooo many situations. This is one of my Top 5 albums of all time.
Kate Bush is just magic. She just gets to my soul and stirs it. Hounds of Love, Cloud Busting, Running Up that Hill are like spells. I'm sure you know she did live shows a few years ago and released a double live album. The ninth wave is amazing. That album is so worth multiple listens from beginning to end.
I think from here, I'd recommend going in chronological order in Kate's discography
Literally this album saved my life
Hounds of Love changed my whole perspective on music and how to create sounds and ethereal, scary, lush and dazzling melodies. Classic album!
I’m in love with this album since I heard Running Up That Hill when I was a kid.
I'm so glad to see you did Hounds of Love/Ninth Wave!!! What a masterwork, and your insights enhance the experience of this incredible album even more. Thank you!
I love the music video for "The Big Sky"-- it led me to imagine the song is about escaping this world and finding another one above the clouds, where Amelia Earhart dances with pilots, flags, giraffes, and birds up in the clouds. Although of course it could be that AND the themes you explore here.
Cloudbusting is my all time favorite kate bush song ☺️
Eric, thanks for such a thoughtful and balanced review. I would love to see/hear your review of 50 Words for Snow, as it is such a restrained, dampened yet expansive album which is such a departure from the Dreaming and Hounds of Love. There is so much genius buried in the snow of that album.
Some additional points:
* Though we can view the fox as a man when Kate comforts it, there is also the surface interpretation of the song: if men are aggressors, and love can be violent and painful, the fox can also be a woman (or Kate herself), running from men (dogs), and the metaphorical hounds of love who threaten to tear her apart.
* Yes, absolutely, within a patriarchal framework, a woman's work can be internal (in the house, domestic sphere), and emotionally internal (comfort, love, nurturing), but also literally internal (carrying babies inside her body and giving birth to them). Compare the mother presence and roles in other Kate songs: being comforted by her mother in the video and whispered segment of Suspended in Gaffa from The Dreaming; the commentary on childbirth from the father's and mother's perspective in This Woman's Work from The Sensual World; and reflecting on memories after losing a mother to death in A Coral Room from Aerial.
Love this, I’ve always had a huge respect for Kate Bush, and This Woman’s Work always affects me deeply whenever i run into it, but your take on these fascinating themes and your infectious JOY and love for her and her work here has taken that respect to a new level. Thank you, and yes more artists you love!
Very nice analysis. Kate is my favorite musical artist, so it was really nice to hear you geek out about it. You remind me of me at your age listening to the album when it first came up and I was closer to your age. I'm going to have to check our your other reactions!
The church bells in waking the witch are the same in the sensual world, she use them years later
Kate guiding you to your happy place through this wonderful album is just so fun to watch. This was my first Kate album and I special ordered the vinyl LP in my little midwestern town as it was not available at music stores. Long time favorite. . . Love the common favorite tracks Running Up that Hill and Hounds of Love but I love The Big Sky, Waking the Witch and Jig of Life as well as Cloudbusting. The whole album is a sonic journey that I delight in to this day and it's nice to see you do as well. XO I also had This Woman's Work box set at one point and there's remixes in for The Big Sky and Cloudbusting that are amazing. (Also B-Sides that could easily have been releases)
I love your Kate nerdiness! And I’m so glad you already know the album (and know it well, I see by your quality lip synch!). And you know the stories behind the songs which are usually not apparent to a first listen. Great album and yes, cinematic and theatrical! Love Kate and your analysis! Thanks. ✨🤪
Yay!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Look at you! So cute. This album is GOLD.
Amazing and very detailed review, Eric, as always! Since you ask for it: have you considered "50 words for snow" so far? Apart from Hounds Of Love, my second favorite of Kate's pieces.
I think The Big Sky is about how she her artistic integrity and endeavours were severely misunderstood when she released the Dreaming which was relatively underwhelming, commercially and critically at the time. Hence, "you never really understood me". Because what she was really doing as an artiste was to widen her horizon and never doing anything twice. And it was at the time of production of the Hounds of Love, where she reassessed her role as a musician which led to building her own home studio and retreating to the country side to gain new stimuli. She was looking at the 'Big Sky'.
I wonder what you would make of the music of my favourite band Sparks. They became famous here in the UK with their third album way back in 1974, but are natives of LA. Even after a 50 year career with 25 albums, they are a mystery to most of their fellow Americans (a recent documentary by Edgar Wright is doing its bit to remedy that situation). They have been cited as an influence, or at least an inspiration, by many more famous acts, including Morrisey, Kurt Cobain, Duran Duran, Bjork, New Order, Heaven 17, Erasure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Midge Ure, The Human League, Faith No More., Franz Ferdinand....the list goes on. Humour is a vital ingredient of their lyrics and visual presentations and, like Kate Bush, their songs frequently deal with subjects that you won't find elsewhere. You might start with their most famous album 'Kimono My House' but nearly everyone does that. Its follow-up 'Propaganda' is every bit as good and other strong recommendations would be 'Number 1 in Heaven', 'Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins' and 'Li'l Beethoven'. Their two most recent albums 'Hippopotamus' (2017) and 'A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip' (2020) both made number 7 in the UK album chart and are as innovative, witty and entertaining as anything they have ever released. I'm sure you'll have fun if you investigate them.
Having just seen your reaction to "The Dreaming," I guess I shouldn't be surprised that this was ever bit as enlightening.
Very thoughtful throughout. My favorite Kate side is "The Ninth Wave" which is a stunning piece of brilliant music and story-telling to match.
greatest album of all time
I would love to see you react to The Dreaming :)
I think she's absolutely dying in the end. I feel the German line "Tiefer, tiefer, irgendwo in der Tiefe gibt es ein Licht" at the end of Hello Earth is strongly implying that she's sinking to the bottom, towards the light signifying death.
It’s something “Deeper, deeper, somewhere in the deep there is a light”
In a radio interview many years ago about this album, Kate Bush said about the last track 'although the song doesn't say it, for me, this is where the rescue takes place'. But one of her most positive attributes as an artist is her readiness to allow each listener to form his or her own conclusion - whether or not that conclusion has anything to do with her original intentions.
I absolutely adore Kate Bush.. My favourite album is.. The Sensual World xxx 👌👌👌🥰😘🇬🇧
One of my favourites female singers and I used to listen to this album everyday when I was in my freshman studying in the USA in 1985... sooo long ago 😭😭 time flies
Next the dreaming pleaseeeeeee!!!
Ps. You have to react to all of Kates albums!!!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
I love all her albums but particularly Never For Ever, The Dreaming, Ariel, Sensual World
This album is a masterpiece, such a beautifully perfect and intense work of art. I even won a contest by writing an essay about Hounds Of Love, I have such a special connection to it, it takes you on a spiritual journey😍
You love this music. If for no other reason, thumbs up.
Running up that hill is perfection 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
Would love to see your reaction and analysis of The Red Shoes…my favorite Kate album.
i would love to see your reaction to the deluxe tracks of hounds of love!
You have to listen to The Morning Fog from Before The Dawn. It is very, very special.
It's a totally different genre, but I would LOVE to see you react to Jill Scott's "Who Is Jill Scott?" Or any of her others-- but "He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)" from that first album is one of the most incredible, soulful, sensual, poetic, operatic jams ever recorded.
amen!
We need more of these (especially for bjork, joanna, kate, and fiona)
I can remember playing the Big Sky as loud as I possibly could from my bedroom window. It nearly rattled the glass out of the frame!
Kate Bush is not only a Singer, she is a Songwriter, Producer
and a Musican
like
Annie Lennox (Why ,Song for a Vampire )
Cyndi Lauper (True Colors, I drove all night )
Excelent review.
We miss you Eric, hope you're well.
I think The Big Sky has to do with exiting a relationship where her partner had a completely different worldview (probably more pessimistic) and feeling a sense of relief now that it has ended. She is always looking up, dreaming and imagining possibilities, whereas her lover never really paid much attention to the sky or the clouds and was probably more drawn to things on the ground.
how in the world did I miss this omg
We miss you!
I really like her style, for me shes like some indie bonnie tyler
The Dreaming please!
CLASSIC
"usual dad stuff" {heart}
I think you should do Aerial next.
Kate is iconic. ♥️
I think you would like the following albums and they’d be good for reacting 😉
Drive by Bic Runga
Dilate by Ani DiFranco
Left of the Middle by Natalie Imbruglia
Since you love this album, you might also like Now in a Minute album by Donna Lewis
Btw although Kate def has inspired Björk and Tori, I know that they would have found their groove on their own. All three women began composing/releasing music in the late 70s. Of course, Björk rose to popularity in the late 80s and Tori in the early 90s, but it's pretty important to distinguish their paths as three creative forces.
Btw that isn't meant as a dig at anyone, especially not legend Kate!
Please react to ON YOUR SHORE by Charlotte Martin - tons of Kate influence !!! You’ll love it !!!!
The dreaming and the kick inside please :)
Would love for you to start reacting to Sinead O’Connor albums. ❤️
How about Joni Mitchell’s “BLUE” after Kate?!! Another vastness of talent. ✨🤪
React to 50 words for snow next
Please react to her song rocket's tail and you want alchemy....
I am really really curious how you will react to Kate Bush's evil sister, Nina Hagen.
I sugest you risk a full album: ua-cam.com/video/KBvUmL-YagI/v-deo.html
It's probably the most unhinged and uncompromising burst of creativity in the history of use of human voice ever put on record, so I suggest you take the risk and go for the full album.
If not, then here's an unmissable live performance of a song:
ua-cam.com/video/9xi4O4RvlnQ/v-deo.html
shes not a good songwriter not really good. Just simple writing and i get it you love nina hagen but shes not a creative songwriter like kate because kate is much more creative than nina and everyone else except for bjork
Mostly because as a british woman, she may know how difficult its to deal with british men emotional closing
ok you are my dreamboy
please react to daydream by mariah 💘
Can we expect a reaction of one of Joanna Newsom’s album? 😘
I LOVE Joanna’s music! I made a video ranking her songs, but I’d love to talk about her more. She’s on my list for sure. :)
Clan Sellie/ unsellie ua-cam.com/play/PLuMhvMnAyn0t0zlmnPU6Z4LOxOn0FVAuj.html
Please react to one of fiona apples album
I guess It has less to do with religion but with gender dynamics in a loving relationship not a disfunctional one
Can you do walls by Louis Tomlinson?!
I personally don't agree with your interpretation for The Big Sky to me it feels like it's someone to slow down & enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
REACT TO THE SENSUAL WORLD
Aw you have heard it before. I just can't watch revisits sorry
greatest album of all time