Kate Bush is one of my favourite music artists, a songwriter of amazing talent and versatility. Many of her albums have a theme or concept to them, with amazing cover images too that link into the lyrics to bring the whole release into life. Here is my ranked list, but i really love them all.
Aerial (2005)
The eighth release was double album and a work of art, both musically and the accompanying theme and packaging, especially the vinyl edition. It mixes dark brooding tracks with simple piano pieces, and includes a stunning concept jazz inflected songbird journey.
Hounds of Love (1985)
The sixth and the most popular and well regarded album, arguably the most creative and varied, a series of fabulous story led songs on side one, along with a conceptual journey on side two that really mixes up the musical styles. There are so many layers to the music here.
Sensual World (1989)
The fifth album, a dark, sensuous, rhythmical album, and another fabulous cover. This album has so many layers of vocals and a heavy mix of string influences and deep musical layers. This album has grown on me over time, gradually climbing my favourites list.
Never For Ever (1980)
The third album and another thematic and stylish musical mix with an amazing gatefold cover. This album features great pop singles, lyrical stories, elements of progressive rock, plus a dark brooding apocalyptic ending. Sometimes i wonder how this was beaten by future releases it is so good.
Lionheart (1978)
The second album and a more mellow and laid back composition, with a softer approach, and one of her more underrated albums. It has the usual story led songs and a fantastic gatefold cover and imagery, it was still a winner.
The Dreaming (1982)
The fourth album, and a more experimental album at the time. Whilst this release includes folk instruments, it is at times one of her darker and more rock orientated with heavy rhythms, but as usual her lyrics paint interesting stories in your mind.
The Kick Inside (1978)
The debut album, is has a more raw feel to it and contains the great ‘Wuthering Heights’ which launched her career. While i have listened to this less than many of the others, it contains many great moments and is still a career defining release.
50 Words for Snow (2011)
The ninth and last release, and one which came as a surprise to me. A snow themed composition, which features seven more lengthy tracks than usual. It is quite a work of art, very rhythmical and repeating in its musical flow which may make it more of an acquired taste.
The Red Shoes (1993)
The seventh album and one that for me is a mixture of greatness and one that occasionally falls short of her highest standards. It has some stand out songs, but is one that i find harder to listen to from start to finish.