HOUNDS OF LOVE

The least you can say about Hounds of Love is that it is a very versatile album, wavering between pop material and little sensual gems that equals Kate's best material from her early albums. Beware though, as versatile sometimes means uneven to other people.

Running Up That Hill is a good pop song with an interesting beat and smart minimal synth arrangements. But it pales greatly when compared to Peter Gabriel's accomplishments in that area. Hounds of Love sounds as if it is an outtake from The Dreaming. It's not bad but hardly noteworthy. Also The Big Sky disappoints, it's not much more then an insignificant remake of the opening track. Mother Stands For Comfort is the first song that really attracts my attention. At the heart sits a sensitive piano ballad, unusual sounds and rhythms give it personality. Cloudbusting is the second remake of the opening track and never evoked anything in me but irritation.

The second side of the original album is entirely different and dwells in melancholic and dreamy atmospheres. Despite all experimentation, Kate Bush is still best at ease alone at the piano, And Dream of Sheep is simply wonderful. Also the minimalist violin arrangement on Under Ice is marvellous. Chillingly beautiful. More piano follows on Waking The Witch, the spell is broken by a downright weird percussive middle part. A interesting contrast. Watching You is an entirely gentle catchy tune, similar to Mother Stands For Comfort from the first side of the album. Jig Of Life is a folksy song in a very modern arrangement. It hasn't aged a bit in 25 years. Hello Earth and The Morning Fog conclude the album on a strong note with delightful balladry.

An album with such contrasting styles is hard to rate. I'd give 2.5 stars for the first part and 4.5 for the second. It is decidedly less appealing to me then Never Forever, but more convincing then The Dreaming. A 3.5 stars will have to do.