The Best Kate Bush Album for New Listeners: A Comprehensive Guide
Kate Bush is a legendary artist who has captivated audiences with her unique voice and innovative sound. If you're just discovering her work, where should you begin? This article explores the various options, highlighting the best albums to start with and providing a chronological overview of her career.
Chronological Listening: An Ideal Approach
A thoughtful approach to discovering Kate Bush's music is to start with her earliest release and move through her discography chronologically. This not only provides a historical context but also offers a better understanding of her artistic evolution.
Starting with 'The Kick Inside' (1978)
'The Kick Inside' is considered Kate Bush's debut and is a great place to begin your journey. This album showcases Bush's distinctive voice and style. Though it might seem different from her later works, it is highly accessible and provides a solid foundation for understanding her music. One of the standout tracks from this album is 'Cloudbusting,' which is just as mesmerizing as 'Running Up That Hill,' a later hit.
The Impact of 'Hounds Of Love' (1985)
Once you've explored 'The Kick Inside,' the next logical step is to delve into 'Hounds Of Love.' Released in 1985, this album is widely regarded as one of Kate Bush's best. 'Hounds Of Love' features a mix of popular singles and conceptually rich, more artistically sophisticated tracks. Notable songs from this album include 'Running Up That Hill' and 'Big Sky.'
Alternative Starting Points
Although 'Hounds Of Love' is often recommended as the best starting point, Kate Bush's third album, 'For Ever' (1980), is also highly acclaimed. 'For Ever' is not as accessible as her debut but offers a broader range of her artistic styles, including more conceptually driven tracks like 'Under Ice' and 'Waking the Witch.'
Other Notable Albums
If you're looking for a more cohesive starting point, 'The Dreaming' (1982) is an excellent choice. This album includes tracks such as 'Sat in Your Lap' and 'There Goes a Tenner,' which are particularly fan-favorite. Additionally, 'The Sensual World' (1987) offers a different take, with more contemporary influences and tracks like 'Deeper Understanding' and 'This Woman’s Work.'
A Special Mention: 'The Whole Story' (1986)
While greatest hits collections are not always the best way to explore an artist's discography, Kate Bush's 'The Whole Story' is a notable exception. Released in late 1986, this album captures many of her singles up to the 'Hounds Of Love' album. It includes a re-recording of 'Wuthering Heights' and a new track, 'Experiment IV.' Despite this, it misses out on 'The Sensual World,' which showcases Kate Bush at her finest and her artistic peak.
Conclusion
Discovering Kate Bush's music is like embarking on a journey through time, filled with the sounds of her unique voice and innovative production. Whether you start with 'The Kick Inside' or dive straight into 'Hounds Of Love,' one thing is certain: you're in for an extraordinary experience. Kate Bush's music is a testament to her unparalleled creativity and enduring influence in the music industry.