Kate Bush-Hounds Of Love (1985)

Discovered by Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, Kate Bush is one of the greatest singers England has ever produced, distinguished by her extraordinary talent for melody and poetic imagery, but above all by her unique and distinctive voice, something never before heard. Her debut album, produced by Andrew Powell and titled “The Kick Inside” (1978), was one of the most captivating records ever written, showcasing with her innocent voice and the vibrant, nuanced arrangements a work that, to some extent, approached progressive rock, with a style that linked her to contemporary bands like The Alan Parsons Project. In her subsequent works, she continued in a similar vein, producing a string of high-quality albums such as the magical and elegant “Lionheart” (1978), the less progressive but more romantic “Never For Ever” (1980), and the more experimental “The Dreaming” (1982). In the mid-eighties came "Hounds of Love", which appears on many lists as one of the best rock albums of all time, published by magazines and music websites. However unreliable those lists may be, in this particular case there is no exaggeration, as Kate Bush's fifth album is an indisputable masterpiece, a near-perfect record that still sounds as fresh today as it did more than thirty years ago. The music here is by turns ethereal, romantic, melancholic, and at times even aggressive and haunting. "Running Up That Hill" opens the album with a strong, almost dance-like electronic beat, against which Kate's dramatic voice soars and stirs emotion. The dark, driving percussion also features prominently in "The Big Sky". The poignant "Mother Stands for Comfort" paves the way for the epic "Cloudbusting", whose video (featuring Donald Sutherland) is as deeply moving and beautiful as the song itself. The second side is entirely occupied by "The Ninth Wave" (the title is taken from a poem by Lord Tennyson), a suite in seven separate movements, based on a fascinating concept: the final hours of a woman trapped under the ice, her thoughts and memories before death. It may sound macabre, but Kate treats this haunting subject with her characteristic lightness. Musically, it is as captivating as the story behind it, with Kate's voice sounding heartbreakingly sweet on the opening "And Dream of Sheep" and "Hello Earth", menacing on the sinister "Waking the Witch", melodic on the traditional Irish "Jig of Life", or melancholic on "Watching You Without Me". On "Hounds of Love," as with its predecessor, "The Dreaming", ethnic instruments blend with the violins and the ever-present Fairlight piano played by Kate herself to create a dazzling musical mix that is both adventurous and soothing to the ear. Without a doubt, a classic album to be appreciated by all lovers of top-quality music, which would achieve half a dozen platinum records and numerous Top Ten hits around the world.