turney@SVAX.CS.CORNELL.EDU (Jenn Turney) (11/02/89)
Well, I'll let you folks be the judge of this review (for what it's worth). This is from the Cornell Daily Sun, Friday, October 27th. TALES OF LOVE by Karen E. Clements Kate Bush's sixth studio album, _The Sensual World_, explores the psychological facets of love amongst grand orchestral musical arrangements. Although not a typical pop album, _The Sensual World_ contains little of the avant-garde musical and vocal experi- mentation that marks her earlier albums. Could Bush be attempting to appeal to the mainstream and "sell out?" [punctuation sic] Fortunately, this solid album contains many songs equal in emotion and arrangement to such earlier popular masterpieces as "Hounds of Love" and "Running Up That Hill." The album presents two facets of Bush -- the storyteller and the romantic. As a storyteller, Bush weaves thought-provoking tales amidst theatrical musical arrangements. Set in 1939, "Heads We're Dancing" tells how a dashing young man sweeps a young woman off her feet in a night of dancing. She opens the morning paper only to discover the horrible identity of the young man: "They say that the Devil is a charming man/And just like you I bet he can dance." The quirky, funky beat builds as one's curiosity mounts and the identity is finally revealed: Hitler. [Gee, thanks for relieving the suspense.] On a slightly lighter note, "Deeper Understanding" follows. In desperation a lonely woman turns to her computer for companionship. Bush illustrates the bizarre paradox that a human, unable to find any understanding, turns to a computer, which has been stereotyped as the epitome of impersonality. Musically the Trio Bulgarka, female Indian [!] backup singers, bring an ethereal atmosphere to the song. Thematically, the album showcases Bush's knack for exposing the facets of relationships. The title track oozes sensuality. Complimented [sic] by exotic, erotic Uillean pipes, her glorious voice caresses every word. Teasing, humorous lyrics keep the song right on the edge of being steamy: "I said, mmh, yes/But not yet, mmh, yes." "Love and Anger" deals with self-acceptance and coming to terms with the past. The rhythm of this uplifting song pulses with drums and bass while Kate and Paddy Bush's vocals rise in a crescendo of joy. Bush also delves into the darker side of relationships. "The Fog" opens with an eerie Joker-like cackle. Bush compares falling in love with the frightening experience of learning to swim: "This love of yours/Was big enough to be frightened of/It's deep like the water was/The day I learned to swim." [misquote sic] A recorded male voice interjects with swimming directions, further augmenting the song's unsettling quality. And on "Never Be Mine" Bush expresses the terrible pain of rejection with haunting vocals and the bittersweet sounds of Uillean pipes. _The Sensual World_ does contain some weak tracks. The rhythm of "Reaching Out" drags and pulls the repetitive lyrics with it. "Rocket's Tail (For Rocket)" tells an interesting story, but the abrasive electric guitar and drums prove distracting. Lastly, Bush's unusually nasal vocals make "Walk Straight Down the Middle" a little annoying. While not as conceptual or daring as her earlier albums, _The Sensual World_ presents an extremely talented and versatile artist. And as always, her marvelous voice ranges from a tentative lilt to resounding growls. For those new to Bush, this album introduces her as a wonderful storyteller and vocalist in traditionally structured songs. Longtime, more die-hard fans will not be disappointed, as the album contains many strong tracks and astute observations. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The photo caption: EXPERIMENT SIX: After a four-year absence, Kate Bush returns to the music scene with her sixth studio album, _The Sensual World._ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Jenn _______ | | turney@svax.cs.cornell.edu | And the final event to himself has | | | Dept. of Computer Science | been, that, as he rose like a rocket, \_| | Cornell University | he fell like a stick. -- Thomas Paine