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 | Tracklist:
1. Snowflake
2. Lake Tahoe
3. Misty
4. Wild Man
5. Snowed in at Wheeler Street
6. 50 Words for Snow
7. Among Angels
Release Date: 11/21/2011 | |
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On 31 Lists
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| Summary: Disappointing single aside, it's another frighteningly good album from one of England's all-time greats. |
Oh, what a shame that "Wild Man" is here, with its synth sound that would have sounded dated on Hounds of Love, its awkward, stunted melody, and its not-quite-right, oddly Jeff Wayne-esque vocal harmonies. It's the weakest song Bush has released since her comeback and it sees the album's mood hit a brick wall, when it had been sustained perfectly up until that point.
Otherwise, 50 Words for Snow is hypnotic and utterly, utterly lovely. Kate's never attempted an album like this before - it's very freeform, heavily reliant on piano ballads, and its general feel and ambience is much more important than Kate's voice or her melodies. There's something of Talk Talk's later albums about "Lake Tahoe" and "Misty", certainly on the first couple of listens; she hasn't exactly gone post-rock, but this album shares with Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock a subtle maverick spirit and a deep appreciation of simple, pastoral beauty. It's her most plain, stark material yet, and all the better for it - there's a clarity of expression and feeling here that really suits her.
And in case you were wondering, yes, all of the above does indeed also apply to the much-publicized title track, with national treasure Stephen Fry on guest vocals. Of course it's a success; if she could make Rolf Harris work as a guest on Aerial, what would make you think she can't so the same for somebody with a voice that has (no offence to Rolf) much more class and gravitas? Sure, the concept is daft - Fry reels off 50 invented alternative names for snow while Kate offers gentle encouragement from the sidelines - but the end effect is as hypnotic as anything in her catalogue. Better still, it sits in the middle of a trifecta of songs that all stand as career highlights for her - "Snowed in at Wheeler Street", with Elton John in tow, is a power ballad reimagined for a dystopian landscape, all gently insistent synths, ever so slightly creepy atmosphere, and constantly escalating tension, while "Among Angels" is this album's "This Woman's Work" or "A Coral Room"; a cavernous, pleading, unrestrainedly beautiful ballad with nothing but Kate, her piano, and a chamber string orchestra.
Very nearly a complete success, then. Once again, Kate's found a new sound world to operate in and made an effortlessly great album that works both as a conceptually cohesive whole and as a set of standlone songs as warm and comforting as a roaring fire. It's both comforting to know that an artist like Kate Bush can stay at the top of her game for so long despite all the changes that both popular music and the world at large have seen during that time, and inspiring to find out that music this fresh, vivid, and beautiful can come from somebody that's the same age as my parents.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4
Deliberately held this one back because I didn't want Matt to lose his feature (and his review is better imo). Can't let a record this big and brilliant slip by without a staff review though.
| | | Album Rating: 4
dude sweet great record
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Guess I just don't get it : /
Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala | | | Album Rating: 4
I really enjoyed this. Good review, though I personally liked Wild Man quite a bit.
Digging: The Walkmen - Heaven Digging: The Walkmen - Heaven | | |
It's both comforting to know that an artist like Kate Bush can stay at the top of her game for so long despite all the changes that both popular music and the world at large have seen during that time, and inspiring to find out that music this fresh, vivid, and beautiful can come from somebody that's the same age as my parents.
^This. Really great review, Nick! I'm glad you posted it. After hearing it several more times since posting my review, "Wild Man" has grown off me quite a bit. I might have to go and edit some parts of my review, because I feel now like the song detracts hugely from the flow of the album and I find myself leaning more towards your perspective of it. While initially gripping because of its quirks, it comes off as somewhat grating and disingenuous now. Oh, and cheers for the kind works =]
Digging: Between the Buried and Me - Colors Digging: Between the Buried and Me - Colors
| | | Album Rating: 4
Great stuff
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"Guess I just don't get it : /"
Nup
Digging: John Talabot - Fin | | | Album Rating: 4
xeno listen to her better albumz
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xeno listen to better albums
Digging: Beach House - Bloom
| | | Album Rating: 3
xeno listen to better albums
I try
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i really like Wild Man... haha, and the whole album!
| | | Album Rating: 4
It definitely feels different to the first three songs, but I like it too. The title track and 'Snowed In At Wheeler Street' are where it dips a bit for me.
I remember being three tracks in on my first listen and not being able to believe how good it was.
Digging: Bill Evans - The Complete Live at the Village Vanguard 1961 Digging: Bill Evans - The Complete Live at the Village Vanguard 1961 | | |
i really like wild man but i totally get why you don't
Digging: Hop Along - Get Disowned Digging: Hop Along - Get Disowned
| | | Album Rating: 4
As a single, "Wild Man" is fine, if a little unremarkable. It just sounds so much worse as part of this album though, especially sitting where it does. Then again, the same was true of "Deeper Understanding".
| | | Album Rating: 4
Yeah, I didn't mention Wild Man in my review because I share the same sentiments. I kind of just evaded it. lol
You gonna drop a Stockhausen review any time soon?
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I like Wild Man a lot more than the title track, but different strokes.
Digging: fun. - Some Nights | | | Album Rating: 4
well fuck me sideways, this is amazing. someone told me this wasn't a good starting point for Kate Bush but I'm whole lotta lovin this album. gotta start checking out the rest of her stuff.
Digging: Hop Along - Get Disowned Digging: Hop Along - Get Disowned | | |
I need to check this asap.
Digging: Meshuggah - obZen Digging: Meshuggah - obZen
| | | Album Rating: 4
Misty is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a long time. the rest of the album reminds me of in rainbows era radiohead a bit
Digging: Trojan Records - Trojan Ska Box Set Digging: Trojan Records - Trojan Ska Box Set | | | Album Rating: 3.5
lol
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