Kate, I've Been Dreaming of You! (The Dreaming - Kate Bush)

Member Name: DanielKemp

Product:	The Dreaming - Kate Bush
Date:	18/10/09 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Complete artistic freedom, a fantastic set of songs

Disadvantages: VERY difficult to get into. You need a lot of patience at first.

Kate Bush - The Dreaming (1982)

Producer: Kate Bush

Sat in Your Lap
There Goes a Tenner
Pull Out the Pin
Suspended in Gaffa
Leave It Open
The Dreaming
Night of the Swallow
All the Love
Houdini
Get Out of my House

Released in 1982, The Dreaming is the fourth album Kate Bush. Kate had dabbled in production during her previous two albums, assisting where it took her fancy; although in the past she was always playing second fiddle to whoever was given production duties. In a rather dramatic change of events, The Dreaming sees Kate Bush singlehandedly produce and design an album for the very first time. The result is the sound of complete and utter artistic freedom. Using her famed Fairlight CMI Synthesizer she created an uncompromising and intense album, featuring an intermingling of different musical styles.

Critics have a love-hate relationship with The Dreaming. Many see her next album, Hounds of Love, as the definitive Kate Bush record, while others see that album as a compromise on initial premise and instead see this as her masterpiece. Personally, I fall somewhere in between. I adore Hounds of Love and that will always be the Kate Bush record I reach for first. The Dreaming is simply too uncommercial for its own good and you really have to work for the enjoyment at first, but those of you who put in the effort will reap the bountiful rewards.

First impressions aren't good ones. Such is the album's uncompromising manner and Kate's erratic eccentricity that one is initially left baffled by each song's structure and left wondering where the hell the next Babooshka is. Ironically, what had seemed far out on her previous album, Never for Ever, now seems tame in comparison and merely preparation for The Dreaming. I will never forget the crushing disappointment I experienced on hearing The Dreaming for the first time; it just didn't seem fair to be subjected to such a difficult and complex album after the time I had spent falling in love with Never for Ever.

In time, I learnt to appreciate it and found The Dreaming a true artistic statement, full of diverse musical innovation. It's just that initial reaction which leaves a sour taste in your mouth. However, after much debating and evaluation, I conclude that The Dreaming is Kate's second best studio album.

So, what of the songs? Well, nuts and passionate is probably the best way to sum them up. Opening track, Sat in Your Lap, was the first single to be released from The Dreaming. One of the album's most successful songs, it runs along at a fair old pace, with a heavy reliance on percussion. Kate's voice seems to go through several different styles during this song; everything from technical brilliance to out-and-out screaming during the chorus can be found. The lyrics deal with the general confusion of life and our unsettled nature, "I see the people working and see it working for them, and so I want to join them, but then I find it hurts me!" It's fantastic stuff.

There Goes a Tenner is primarily theatre. The lyrics tell of a heist gone wrong, complete with a Cockney accent from Kate, which is to die for. She successfully conveys the suspicion and dread that the perpetrator would be experiencing and it makes for one of the album's most immersive tracks. It is a film for the ears, mind and imagination.

Suspended in Gaffa seems to hark back to the ballads that Kate pioneered on her debut album, The Kick Inside, but not without a dash of peculiarity. The chorus is extravagant, augmented by the synthesized string section. Also relatively commercial, All the Love is a haunting ballad, full of grief and woe. The sections where ethereal backing vocals build up towards the anguished chorus are simply delectable.

The title-track is crazed genius. Why on earth it was released as single is beyond me. Of an album packed to the brim with commercial suicide, Kate seems to have selected the least radio friendly track and decided to go with it. I guess that is the mark of a true musician - willingness not to compromise. Kate delivers social commentary on how Aboriginals had their homelands invaded by the whites. A nod towards the backdrop of the subject matter, the song heavily features didgeridoo, played by, uh, Rolf Harris. No joke.

The album sleeve illustrates the scenes portrayed in penultimate track, Houdini, as Kate clandestinely passes a secret key to her lover, which she has kept hidden in her mouth. Again, her vocal performance changes in an instant, from beautiful ruminations to possessed screaming. Once more, Kate surpasses all expectations and crafts a song that is in turn heartbreaking and chilling. She seems to take those two extreme emotions, of sadness and of fear, and brings them together in unification. Houdini is a rare achievement.

The record closes with Get Out of My House. Kate's shrill, bloodcurdling screaming is truly frightening, as she protests to her house being entered by force. Some have seen this song as a euphemism for rape and violation - Kate certainly sings with the conviction of someone who is under such a threat. Get Out of My House is a truly moving finale, one which sticks with you long after the album's finished. Easy listening it is not, but for crafting such a lasting mental image I have never found a sequel.

In no way should you run out and buy this as your first Kate Bush album. You need to buy Never for Ever first and connect the dots. You simply must see what Never for Ever was leading up to, or else it is the equivalent to jumping into a cold shower and you'll be left perplexed, befuddled and quite possibly frustrated. Those of you who have bought Kate's records from the beginning and have seen the entire story through will find this much easier to enjoy. In my eyes it is an outstanding achievement.

9.5/10

Daniel Kemp

Read more reviews at www.danielkempreviews.co.uk

Summary: Kate's fourth album is positively dreamy!