THE SENSUAL WORLD

It is commonly agreed that this album isn't as great as the preceeding ones, but I wouldn't say it was any step backwards like Red Shoes surely was four years later. There's nothing like 'The Ninth Wave' suite of Hounds of Love here but why should there be? (Aerial makes return into that kind of album structure - I'm yet to hear it). I still remember when I bought Sensual World in the autumn '89 - there aren't very many albums I've bought at once, freshly released. Still its listening takes me back to dark and starry November nights, and in a way it still has a feel of 'the new Kate Bush album' to me, as opposed to diving into already existing marvelous output couple of years earlier. A disappointment? No! Well, maybe for three songs (the ones left unmentioned in my review).

Title track is one of her loveliest hits, Irish-flavoured and inspired by Molly's monologue from Joyce's Ulysses. 'The Fog' can be compared to the highlights of Hounds of Love: a mystical, atmospheric art piece narrating child's learning to swim. "Just put your feet down child, coz you're all grown up now", Kate's father speaks. 'Deeper Understanding' is movingly dealing with modern loneliness where computer replaces friends. I get goosepimples when The Trio Bulgarka joins in. They fit nicely also to 'Rocket's Tail' which has a great Gilmour solo. Imagery of that song is genuine Kate Bush. 'Between a Man and a Woman' and 'Never Be Mine' are fine sad tracks, at least the latter with the Fairlight familiar from e.g. 'Mother Stands For Comfort', though they're most likely put off by casual listeners.

'This Woman's Work' is a sensitive piano song like the title track of The Kick Inside. 'Walk Straight Down the Middle' (which appeared in CD only) is actually one of my favourite KB songs, for it has a dreamlike feel. The funny high "rrrr-aah" yells at the end are charming. All in all, this is dark-toned, autumnal, beautiful album with a lot of passion and light that only Kate Bush can create. She has never been that 'safe' to make an album where everything pleases anyone and I truly forgive couple of duller songs.