THE KICK INSIDE

This is a really good debut and it is remarkable to think that this creative talent came from a teenager. Bush was already writing songs as young as eleven! Her style was very original and eclectic especially for the time, although I think this early sound still influences and affects many people today too. This album's music has been best described as art rock. It isn't anything like standard pop or rock at all. It does have hints of progressive rock but not so much at this stage.

The album opens with "Moving" which is one example of her typical early songs. It is very cinematic, sensual and seductive with Kate's soaring soprano and warm piano playing. Some listeners even today find her voice very unusual and often difficult to accept but it is beautiful particularly on the dramatic "Wuthering Heights" which incidentely became a hit in numerous countries. Bush's voice really brings out her personality here. It's usually very high but in some songs she sometimes swoops down to lower notes too.

As for favourite tunes, I do like "The Saxophone Song" and the more mature, legendary "The Man With the Child in His Eyes" is a real stunner. "Oh to Be in Love" is also great and the ending title track pretty good too. There are lots of very subtle melodies and other memorable songs here. Many fans consider this release to be one of her best or even finest. She was just nineteen when this was released and still had some artistic development to come. Her voice as well as the songs started to sound a lot different, especially with her work in the 80's. In my opinion her absolute best was yet to come but this is nonetheless a very good album to check out. Three and a half stars.