Kate Bush Album: “Hounds of Love”

At first listening, HOUNDS OF LOVE would seem to have little in common with Kate Bush's previous work; in some ways, however, it is a logical extension, for throughout her earlier work she had increasingly fused unlikely instruments with synthesizers while gradually leaving behind certain vocal affectations. For HOUNDS OF LOVE she would repeat this, fusing distinctly Irish-sounding instruments with synthesizers while continuing to downplay her extraordinary range to create a remarkably clean yet multi-layered sound that serves her material remarkably well. At the same time, she worked her penchant for macabre and bizarre imagery into a much more subtle idiom. The resulting HOUNDS OF LOVE seems, to me at least, like a combination of the melodic delicacy of her earliest recordings with the raw power of her immediately previous THE DREAMING.

HOUNDS OF LOVE breaks into two distinctly separate yet stylistically similar parts, and it is a tribute to Bush's talents that she was able to unify these portions in such a way as to make them obviously different in content without making them feel separate in tone. The first half of the recording-"Running Up That Hill," "Hounds of Love," "Big Sky," "Mother Stands For Comfort," and "Cloudbusting"-are at once independent of each other yet distinctly of the same album, raveling the same musical and lyrical thread. The second half-"And Dream of Sheep," "Under Ice," "Waking the Witch," "Watching You Without Me," "Jig of Life," and "Hello Earth"-are more in the line of a single recording from which the individual titles cannot be easily separated. In these selections, she seems to be telling a story of her dreamlife, capturing the beautiful and fearsome images that come to her in sleep and then awakening to face the new day with the concluding "Morning Fog." Throughout the recording, Bush seems considerably less interested in vocal gymnastics than in the past-although "Big Sky" and "Waking The Witch" certainly make good use of her remarkable talents in that direction. Her voice is full, rich, and sure, and her bursts into extreme displays of range seem less a matter of showmanship than of artistic inevitability. This is Kate Bush shorn of her eccentricities, and she is every bit as remarkable without them as she was when she gave them full play.

Although Bush has always been extremely well regarded in England and in Europe, she was not widely known in the United States, where her recordings were deemed too alternative for the mass market. With HOUNDS OF LOVE, however, she made a perfect leap into American commercial success, creating a more popular sound without sacrificing any of her uniqueness in the process. It was and remains a remarkable feat, and even some fifteen years after its release HOUNDS OF LOVE remains as fresh and as compelling as the first day it was recorded. A powerful statement by a truly gifted artist, highly recommended.

Even without the extra tracks, this album is worth at least five stars. However, even if you already own the original, it's worth plunking down a few extra bucks for the bonus tracks.

'The Big Sky Meterogical Mix' is really fun, creative remix with different voice-overs added. The 'Running up that Hill' remix is also more than decent though I admit I like the original better.

'Be Kind to My Mistakes' is a sweet song about when you love someone you have to accept their blemishes along with the rest. 'Under the Ivy' is a gorgeous and sentimental piece -- it's one of my favorite Kate songs ever. Also, her piano playing really gets to shine on this track.

'My Lagan Love' is a beatiful a cappella piece -- the music is taken from an original Irish/Scottish folk song and Kate's brother wrote the words. 'Burning Bridge' is an upbeat pop tune with great vocals.

It's really nice to have all these rare tracks together (ligitly) on one CD. If you are a real Kate fan you can do what I did - resell your original copy on amazon and buy this one for the bonus tracks.

This is an expensive version of Kate Bush's best album which is simply a work of art. Beautiful in many ways where every single track is a masterpiece of composition. Now this album mini-lp sleeve packaging is a work of art in itself and like most art, costs a bundle. The sound quality is patchy and the volume levels are higher for some tracks than they are for others. As this version of the disc is not remastered either, you'll have to decide whether or not to pay the much higher price for this disc if you either already have the remastered version of this or even any other version if the packaging is not important to you. If you are new to Kate's work and don't yet have this, you may have to decide if sound quality is important to you as well. Otherwise, although the tracks are good and the album itself is worth getting, I'm not sure if it makes economic sense to pay so much just for the mlps. Just my 2cts worth.

"This remastered classic CD: "Hounds Of Love" from England's favorite sweetheart Kate Bush, goes all out to give you your moneys worth. The six additional bonus tracks-(there are 18 songs in all), and beautiful new pics of Kate are well worth your purchase. If you already have the original version, sell it now and get the remaster! I really enjoy listening to the 12 inch version of "Running Up That Hill"...the production quality is better than the original, and Kate had added some new twists to the song. I wasnt as impressed with the remix version of "The Big Sky" however its still an interesting addition to this masterpiece. "Under The Ivy" and "Burning Bridge" are fabulous!! It's as if they shouldve been on the album in the first place. "My Lagan Love" adds a unique touch at the end of the bonus tracks as Kate sings accapella in a traditonal Irish folk style.If you are searching for any reasons why you shouldnt buy this remaster of Kates classic album, give it up right now! Cause you'll never find any that are worth holding back your purchase.If you are already a Kate Bush fan and you dont have the remaster of "Hounds Of Love" then you really have no excuse not to get it. And if you arent a Kate Bush fan yet, this remastered CD is the perfect purchase to begin your collection!

A True Masterpiece in every way. The songs are Great and different in style, though real Kate. The production is outstanding for 1985.

Kate is sensitive, so is the album.

Kate is experimental, so is the album.

Kate is A Perfectonist, so is the album.

Kate proved with this album she is the best female artists the UK has to offer(and probably worldwide).

Kate captured the 80's but this album has proven to be timeless.

And it still grows on me.

Now about this Remaster; Back in 1985 I worked over at the Dennon dealer for the Benelux and this was one of the standards for listening and reviewing.

And CD was still a new item back then.

Listening to this Remaster, there is a more booming sound than earlier. But Drums do Boom (in real life!), so this is a more acurate presentation.

I Like It, I Love It!

Also the bonus traks are a real treat.