If you're a long-time fan of Kate Bush, very little has surprised you more than the sudden popular resurgence of Kate. Driven by the use of her song, Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God), the only two things that might be more surprising than Kate rocketing up the charts again is finding out that (1) she licensed the use of the music to Stranger Things, and (2) she she did so because she apparently really likes the show.
Now, what is a fan of Kate Bush to do with the sudden and unexpected rise of popularity? Sure, there is always the immediate thought that the new fans who just discovered her haven't earned the right to be fans, but that is not a generous reaction. Or maybe, instead, you start hearing her song Night of the Swallow in your head, except you also juxtapose "An African or European swallow," because your brain just doesn't work right.
Well, instead I'm offering some support for those people who just aren't familiar with the works of Kate Bush. You say to yourself, "Self, that song sounds pretty nifty, but what else does this singer have?"
To those people I can give you the good news and the bad news- the good news is that she is an artist with a fairly limited number of releases over a long career, and who (famously) stopped touring for a nice thirty-five year break, so there isn't a lot of material you have to dig through. The bad news is that she is spectacular, and you'll wish there was more.
Now there are a few things to understand about Kate Bush before diving too far into her work. The first is that she is definitely not a singles artist. While she has a few songs that can be divorced from the album context, like Running Up That Hill and Withering Heights, most of her work is much better absorbed in the album context. Second, she has three different "periods" that roughly divide her work-
Early Kate (two albums): 1978-1979
This is two albums- The Kick Inside and Lionheart.
Most people who are really into Kate Bush love these early albums, but they are usually a bit more difficult to get into as a starting point. They are more stripped down and piano-heavy, as Kate Bush did not have the full creative control or had started using samples as she did shortly thereafter.
Classic Kate: (four albums) 1980-1989
Never for Ever, The Dreaming, Hounds of Love, and The Sensual World.
These four albums are a murderer's row, and arguably stand up to any other artist's four album streak. The Dreaming is, IMO, the masterpiece of the bunch (#MAXIMUMKATE) but the other three are the most accessible.
Late Kate (3 1/2 albums): 1990-present
The Red Shoes, Aerial, Director's Cut, and 50 Words for Snow.
Director's Cut is just new versions of her older songs; the other three albums tend to be a little more divisive, with many fans saying they love them, or not, depending on the day. Think of Berlin-era Bowie.
So how do I get into Kate Bush?
This is advice I have previously given to friends, and it has worked pretty well. Think of it as ... Choose your own adventure.
1. Start with Hounds of Love. There is a transition - the album is actually two parts, one consisting of more popular songs, and the other consisting of more atmospheric songs loosely themed around the ocean and drowning (the transition occurs after the song Cloudbusting .... but you will know).
Now, how did you feel about the album?
A. I hated it! All of it.
Then you just won't like Kate Bush. Return to listening to Jock Rocks Vol. 2.
B. It was good, but I liked the first part a lot better than the second part.
Go to The Sensual World.
C. I liked all of it.
Go to Never for Ever.
D. It was all good ... but that second half was amazing!
Go to the Dreaming.
2. I listened to the next album you recommended. I'd like to hear more! What should I do?
A. Listen to the remaining Classic Kate Albums.
If you want more, go to B.
B. Listen to Aerial.
If you want more, go to C.
C. Listen to The Kick Inside.
If you want more, you can probably figure it out by now.
But wait, I can't listen to albums! Can you just post some Kate Bush videos?
Sigh Sure. In the spoilers.
Now, what is a fan of Kate Bush to do with the sudden and unexpected rise of popularity? Sure, there is always the immediate thought that the new fans who just discovered her haven't earned the right to be fans, but that is not a generous reaction. Or maybe, instead, you start hearing her song Night of the Swallow in your head, except you also juxtapose "An African or European swallow," because your brain just doesn't work right.
Well, instead I'm offering some support for those people who just aren't familiar with the works of Kate Bush. You say to yourself, "Self, that song sounds pretty nifty, but what else does this singer have?"
To those people I can give you the good news and the bad news- the good news is that she is an artist with a fairly limited number of releases over a long career, and who (famously) stopped touring for a nice thirty-five year break, so there isn't a lot of material you have to dig through. The bad news is that she is spectacular, and you'll wish there was more.
Now there are a few things to understand about Kate Bush before diving too far into her work. The first is that she is definitely not a singles artist. While she has a few songs that can be divorced from the album context, like Running Up That Hill and Withering Heights, most of her work is much better absorbed in the album context. Second, she has three different "periods" that roughly divide her work-
Early Kate (two albums): 1978-1979
This is two albums- The Kick Inside and Lionheart.
Most people who are really into Kate Bush love these early albums, but they are usually a bit more difficult to get into as a starting point. They are more stripped down and piano-heavy, as Kate Bush did not have the full creative control or had started using samples as she did shortly thereafter.
Classic Kate: (four albums) 1980-1989
Never for Ever, The Dreaming, Hounds of Love, and The Sensual World.
These four albums are a murderer's row, and arguably stand up to any other artist's four album streak. The Dreaming is, IMO, the masterpiece of the bunch (#MAXIMUMKATE) but the other three are the most accessible.
Late Kate (3 1/2 albums): 1990-present
The Red Shoes, Aerial, Director's Cut, and 50 Words for Snow.
Director's Cut is just new versions of her older songs; the other three albums tend to be a little more divisive, with many fans saying they love them, or not, depending on the day. Think of Berlin-era Bowie.
So how do I get into Kate Bush?
This is advice I have previously given to friends, and it has worked pretty well. Think of it as ... Choose your own adventure.
1. Start with Hounds of Love. There is a transition - the album is actually two parts, one consisting of more popular songs, and the other consisting of more atmospheric songs loosely themed around the ocean and drowning (the transition occurs after the song Cloudbusting .... but you will know).
Now, how did you feel about the album?
A. I hated it! All of it.
Then you just won't like Kate Bush. Return to listening to Jock Rocks Vol. 2.
B. It was good, but I liked the first part a lot better than the second part.
Go to The Sensual World.
C. I liked all of it.
Go to Never for Ever.
D. It was all good ... but that second half was amazing!
Go to the Dreaming.
2. I listened to the next album you recommended. I'd like to hear more! What should I do?
A. Listen to the remaining Classic Kate Albums.
If you want more, go to B.
B. Listen to Aerial.
If you want more, go to C.
C. Listen to The Kick Inside.
If you want more, you can probably figure it out by now.
But wait, I can't listen to albums! Can you just post some Kate Bush videos?
Sigh Sure. In the spoilers.
Kate Bush is my absolute favourite. Hounds of Love is a classic but I think I love The Dreaming the most. Sometimes I play The Sensual World just to remember when I heard This Woman's Work the first time.
