THE SENSUAL WORLD

"The Sensual World" has a calm intimacy that you can't quite match on Bush's other more exuberant efforts. I totally agree with some other reviewers here: This is without the anger that "The Dreaming" had, and even after "Hounds Of Love", this is quite refreshing with a huge, deep feel to everything. It is all about quiet reflection and it so generates a sense of pace and beauty. A good example is 'The Fog' which just makes my hairs stand on end with its haunting strings. And the mellow 'Deeper Understanding' is quite exquisite, ending with atmospheric, boundless chants. There are pulsating melodies and sparse arrangements throughout which some say make it over produced, but I'd say Bush got it smack on. There's a lot going on with "Between A Man And A Woman" perhaps, but I don't want to nit pick with this album because it actually has many of Kate Bush's finest tracks. The lyrics are at times heartbreaking, though more simple and descriptive than before. "This woman's work" is very powerful and a highlight for sure. As well as the songs mentioned above, "Reaching Out" and "Never Be Mine" are also very strong, memorable moments. This is one of the best things to come out of the pop dominant 80's. Four stars.