jeff@dciem.UUCP (Jeff Richardson) (08/07/85)
I heard Kate Bush's new song, "Running Up That Hill" last Saturday (August
3), so I figured I tell you all what I remember about it, in case you don't
have a radio station like CFNY in your neighbourhood.
The thing some of you are probably wondering about the most is, is it too
commercial? Has she sold out? Well, I'd say it's probably more commercial
than pretty well anything on "The Dreaming", judging by the fact that I can
still remember a bit of it four days later, after hearing it only once.
However, it's not nearly as commercial as her earlier commercial songs like
"Babooshka" and "Wuthering Heights". I don't think it's anywhere near
commercial enough to break her into the American top 40 charts, probably
not the Canadian charts either, but I guess if the record company really
goes all out trying to market it, it might get some airplay.
Despite the increased commerciality, it's certainly far from your average
pop song. To begin with, it seemed pretty long. Also, there are several
changes within the song. She used mainly her high voice, but if I remember
correctly, she used her low voice in a couple of spots too. The thing I
noticed most about it was an apparently stronger Peter Gabriel influence.
I don't like to compare it with other songs, but I'd say if you like stuff
along the lines of Gabriel's "No Self Control" (which Bush does backing
vocals on, by the way) and "I Have The Touch", there's a good chance you'll
like "Running Up That Hill". They have some things in common, but there
are several differences as well; for example, the role of the drums is
not nearly as major on Bush's song.
I've tried to avoid saying whether I think the song is good, great, bad or
whatever because Bush's songs usually take several plays to decide, or to
even hear everything in them, but my initial impression is that it's good
but not great, and I was expecting much better. However, don't let my
comments affect you too much. It needs repeated listenings to form a really
useful opinion, but I figured I should say something since a lot of people
in this news group (including me) were very anxious for any information at
all, and may not get to hear it for a while.
I guess the best news from this is that since I heard the song August 3, we
can probably trust the latest release dates that were posted for both the
single and the album.
--
Jeff Richardson, DCIEM, Toronto (416) 635-2073
{linus,ihnp4,uw-beaver,floyd}!utcsri!dciem!jeff
{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!dciem!jeffnessus@mit-eddie.UUCP (Doug Alan) (08/17/85)
> From: bottom@katadn.DEC (Dave Bottom) > However, I heard "Running up the hill" the other night on the radio. > Nice song, but I guess I'm not cut out to be a Kate Bush fanatic. I agree! Nice song! But not the sort of stuff that Kate Bush fanatacism is based on. Also nothing by Kate Bush is done justice going through a radio. There all always all sorts of subtleties that are completely lost. > I have no specific criticisms of what I heard and it's probably not > representative of her total musical output. No it isn't! Kate's music is constantly changing, and "Running Up That Hill" is totally unlike any other song she's ever done. It's the only song she's ever done with a dance beat. The only song she's ever done with a catchy melody. The only song she's ever done with a "hook". It's clearly a move towards commercialism, and I'm not so wild about that. I guess she needs to pay some bills, but I'm sure the rest of the new album won't be so commercial, though. (I hope!) > Seems to me it is just another synthed up song with a female singer. > (I have nothing against synths, I own one) Have I missed something > important? Please be honest, flames and sarcasm are not constructive. Well, like I said, "Running Up That Hill" wouldn't have converted me. I do like it, but I also am somewhat disappointed. If you ever heard "The Dreaming" I doubt you'd say that her music was just more synthed up music with a female singer. I can't guarantee that you'd like it, though. This is an interesting little bit of a review I just found: Kate Bush has everything music critics look for: intelligence, originality, imagination. But before you rush out to buy "The Dreaming", I should point out that these qualities manifest themselves in music that may confuse, irritate, vex, infuriate, and even disgust you. .... "The Dreaming" is a potent remedy for ears suffering from an excess of bland, breathy pop starlets, but, like iodine on an open wound, the cure may be even more painful than the injury. Well, if that sounds interesting, and there are people out there who still can't find "The Dreaming", I know of a mail-order place that sells the British import (!!!) for $6 plus $2 postage. "The stars that climb from her bowels Those stars make towers on vowels" Doug Alan nessus@mit-eddie.UUCP (or ARPA)