THE RED SHOES

Following her innovative work on 'The Hounds Of Love' and 'The Dreaming', 'The Sensual World' seemed to suggest that KB had found herself in something of a creative rut. Her production techniques hadn't progressed from the Fairlight inspired sonic surprises of the early 1980s, and a slightly hackneyed Rock influence hinted at a retreat into more conventional areas ('Rocket's Tail'). However, the writing and playing remained strong, and in the title track, 'The Fog' and 'Deeper Understanding', the album possessed some of KB's finest songs ever.

Coming four years later, 'The Red Shoes' frequently showcased a fairly dull Rock and Soul style that at times sounded like a second-rate Prince or Eurythmics. For the first time in a distinctive and distinguished career, Kate had produced an album that could have been by made by countless others.

The strangeness of 'Big Stripey Lie' (like an outtake from 'The Dreaming') and the beauty of 'Moments Of Pleasure' offer some highlights, but mostly this is fairly dreary stuff made worse by the cliched playing of high-profile guests such as Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck.

Her lowest point by far and one that the excellent Aerial avoids repeating.

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