Opening with mysterious panning pulses and the whistling of wind, the song gradually swells into a climax of guitars, crashing drums and spookily layered vocals. As comebacks go, they don’t get much better than this. – Virgin
When I heard Kate Bush was making her unlikely comeback, I decided I should put her 1978 classic Wuthering Heights up on Radio Pye. WH is based on Emily Bronte’s book of the same name, and has long been an obsession of Bush’s. The tune took the scene by storm, and although it confused the heck out of a lot of people, it stayed at #1 in the UK for a month that year. Bush went on to record with Peter Gabriel, release a good album every few years until 1993 – and then go absolutely stark raving mad before disappearing into the desolate English countryside.
Earlier this year she spent 2.5 million pounds on an estate near the setting of the 158 year old novel, and registered herself to vote in the county under the name Catherine Earnshaw – which just happens to be the name of Wuthering Heights’ heroine. But she’s back, and I’m pumped and I want to share. And, no, her new album isn’t entitled “Mad as a Box of Frogs”.
The first thing about Kate Bush is her voice. If you hate her, that’s probably why. It’s childish and prickly, and she sweeps through her four-octave range with all the inhibition of someone taking a shower in an empty house, seemingly oblivious to the fingernails-on-chalkboard effect a voice like that can have. – Salon
See what you think of King of the Mountain. If you like it, try Wuthering Heights, Running Up That Hill and Babooshka. And maybe don’t try moving onto a remote moor and spending all your time reading the Bronte sisters and sculpting whilst wearing leotards. Or do – you know what? It’s almost Thanksgiving. Let’s all get a little nuts this weekend, hah?
And if you don’t appreciate her music, perhaps you kind find it in your heart to love her cameltoe.
Looks more like moose knuckles to me. Don’t get me wrong, I like Kate, but that picture is disturbing.
A pox on you, Art. I don’t know exactly what is going on underneath that ‘tard, but I likey.
Interesting pick, Dave. I have always had an affinity for Kate Bush – she is definitely one of the pioneering women of avant-garde rock music. In my opinion she paved the way for performers like Bjork and Tori Amos (who I always viewed as Kate’s successor). One of the best covers I have heard recently was The Futureheads’ remake of Hounds of Love, which I also think is one of her best songs. As for that picture and the nether region “bulge”, Kate’s last name is Bush for a reason…