Search - Kate Bush :: The Sensual World

Andrea G. from RED WING, MN
Reviewed on 5/4/2007...

the song 'this woman's work' is worth the whole cd in itself but its a beautiful cd

Kate produces a mostly organic "Woman's Work" that is quite

sensative psycho | Parker, CO | 01/18/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Four years after the successful masterwork "Hounds of Love", "The Sensual World" was finally released on Oct. 17, 1989. It reached #2 on the UK album chart, but left many fans less than impressed.



At the time, Kate Bush felt that it was her most personal and most honest album...which is reflected by most of the lyrics and subject matter. It is not as heavy on the Fairlight CMI as some of her previous records ("The Dreaming", "Hounds of Love"). Once again, Paddy Bush incorporates his foray of exotic and ancient instruments...including whips, the Valiha, the Mandolin, and the Tupan. Most of the tracks on "The Sensual World" have a worldly sound and amazing melody.



The album opens with church bells ringing in the distance, leading into the title track (which was the first single). It is a gorgeous song with a great beat and a heavy Celtic influence, incorporating the Uillean Pipes into the chorus. `Love and Anger' was the third and final single from the album, reaching #38 in the UK and #1 on the US Billboard Modern Rock chart (her only US chart-topper be it album or single). It took Kate Bush over a year and a half to finish, because she wasn't sure where the song was going. David Gilmour plays a strong guitar riff during the chorus. `The Fog' is an almost ethereal experience. The song starts with shared dialogue between Kate and her father. Soaring strings and a solo violin build and intensify as the tune carries. Before it's over, you can hear seagulls in the background. `Reaching Out' was thought up during a walk in the park and finished shortly after. It is a very powerful song with calm piano chords during the verses and a strong, thunderous beat with uplifting strings during the chorus. The weakest song on "The Sensual World" is `Heads Were Dancing'. It is a busy mid-paced song that never goes anywhere. `Deeper Understanding' is another interesting and powerful tune. It shows good use of the Fairlight CMI, and during the chorus, the Trio Bulgarka lend their beautifully haunting vocals. I am in love with the melody of this song. `Between A Man and A Woman' is a mid-tempo song soaked in emotional and instrumental tension. `Never Be Mine' is a great song with some Celtic tones due to the Uillean Pipes, and it is a passionate and yearning song also featuring the Trio Bulgarka. Another song with the Trio, `Rocket's Tail' is A capella midway through, then drums and bass kick off a Rock jam with David Gilmour playing a great guitar solo. The perfect and true closer of the album (on Vinyl format), `This Woman's Work' is an essential Kate Bush song. A simple tune with piano, minimal Fairlight CMI, and strings...it is one of the reasons why human beings produce tears. "The Sensual World" was released in CD format with a bonus track titled `Walk Straight Down the Middle' (a great song), which takes away from the magic of ending the album with `This Woman's Work'. I usually stop the CD beforehand.



"The Sensual World" is a diverse, yet cohesive listen. Underrated by some, but should be loved and respected as a near-perfect treat from Kate Bush. Definitely one of her best!



4 ½ stars!"

I finally "got it"

Melody N. Pilotte | San Francisco | 11/02/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I avoided this album for years. I finally listened to it and I "got" it. What a smooth, sensual and complex album. Sonically amazing, with its bagpipes, American Indian flutes, penny whistles, church bells, electronic washes and spooky lyrics. I really love it. This Woman's Work is one of the best songs ever written. This is a Kate Bush album for people who would be terrified by any of other other stuff. Mature, mellow and something that needs to be listen to as a whole album. Just let yourself absorb this album on a cold autumn night."