NEVER FOR EVER

Kate Bush's third album could only be described as romantic, in the best and truly literary sense of the word. From the fantasy-tinged cover to the imaginative subject matter of the songs, this is an album that emphasises Kate's attraction to the mysterious and the uncanny, sometimes even the darker side of life. Oddly enough, though, the often disturbing lyrics are accompanied by hauntingly beautiful, folk- influenced music. On most tracks Kate's voice still sounds elfin, enchantingly childish as it did on her first two albums - though there are frequent hints of maturity in the deeper, almost growling tones adopted in songs such as the opening "Babooshka", a tale of jealousy and madness, and the revenge-themed "The Wedding List".

Among the highlights of the album, together with the above-mentioned tracks, there are the poignantly sweet "Blow Away", a reflection on the afterlife which offers tribute to many dead musicians; the lilting, melancholy "Army Dreamers", about those young people with no perspectives who are lured by the military life and often end up losing their lives; and the intense, dramatic "Breathing", featuring David Gilmour on backing vocals and dealing with the fear of a nuclear holocaust.

"Never for Ever" is definitely a step ahead of the first two albums and an excellent introduction to Kate's most creative phase in the early '80s, culminating with her masterpiece, 1985's "Hounds of Love".