#45 of 100
· Cratewise Editorial
“Hounds of Love lands here because it's where experimental pop stops being a solo artist's indulgence and becomes genuinely transcendent. Side A is pristine pop architecture—"Running Up That Hill" and "Cloudbusting" are immediate, infectious—but it's the second half that justifies the placement: "The Ninth Wave" as a thirteen-minute suite demonstrates that Bush could bend entire sides of wax into narrative arcs without losing the listener. The production is pristine on original EMI pressings, and this album somehow feels both of the 80s and timeless. It's pop music that refuses to be small.”
Kate Bush is a British singer-songwriter and producer who emerged as a distinctive voice in progressive pop during the late 1970s. After signing to EMI at age 18, she released her debut album "The Kick Inside" (1978), which featured the hit single "Wuthering Heights" and established her as an innovative artist unafraid of unconventional song structures and lyrical narratives. Throughout the 1980s, she created a series of critically acclaimed albums including "Never for Ever" (1980), "The Dreaming" (1982), and "Hounds of Love" (1985), each showcasing her evolving production techniques and artistic ambition. After a 12-year hiatus, she returned with "Aerial" (2005), a double album that demonstrated her continued creative vision. Her work consistently blended art rock, pop, and experimental production, marked by her distinctive contralto voice and theatrical approach to performance.
Style
Kate Bush's music spans progressive art rock, art pop, and experimental electronic production, characterized by her distinctive vocal style, complex arrangements, orchestral elements, and poetic, often literary-influenced lyrics. Her sound evolved from the art rock sensibilities of her early work to increasingly experimental and layered production in her later albums.
Significance
Kate Bush is highly significant to vinyl collectors as a pioneering female artist-producer whose albums showcase exceptional sound design and sonic innovation, making them prized for both their artistic merit and audio quality. Her recorded works, particularly "Hounds of Love" and "Aerial," are considered essential examples of ambitious production and arrangement in contemporary rock music.
Hounds of Love, released in 1985, marked Kate Bush's return after a four-year absence from recording. Working primarily at her own home studio, Bush collaborated closely with producer Jon Kaplan and engineer Chris Kimsey to craft a more accessible yet artistically adventurous album. The record was divided into two distinct halves: the first side featured upbeat, synth-driven pop songs with accessible hooks, while the second side, titled "The Ninth Wave," presented a conceptual suite exploring themes of survival and consciousness. Bush drew inspiration from various sources, including the book "The Odyssey" and personal experiences. The title track became her biggest commercial success, while the album showcased her mastery of 1980s production techniques while maintaining her distinctive artistic vision and lyrical sophistication.
Historical Context
Released in September 1985, Hounds of Love arrived during the height of 1980s synth-pop and the MTV era, when visual presentation was as important as sound. Despite Bush's reputation as an avant-garde artist, the album achieved mainstream commercial success, reaching number one in the UK and establishing her as a major pop force. The era was marked by technological advancement in home recording and synthesizers, which Bush embraced while other experimental artists were retreating from accessibility. Critics praised the album's balance between pop sensibility and artistic integrity. It became one of the defining albums of the 1980s and significantly boosted Bush's international profile, particularly in the United States where she had previously enjoyed cult status.
Pressing Notes
The original UK pressing on EMI featured a distinctive gatefold sleeve with the now-iconic cover image. Early pressings are marked by vibrant sound quality characteristic of 1980s EMI vinyl production. Reissues have been released over the decades; notable versions include the 2018 remaster and 2023 audiophile-grade pressings that restored the original tape sound. Collectors should seek original 1985 UK pressings for investment value and sonic warmth. The album has been reissued internationally by various labels, with Japanese pressings often noted for superior quality control. Original gatefold copies in good condition are sought after by collectors, though standard reissues remain affordable and sonically excellent.
So
Peter Gabriel
Shares the same era's sophisticated production techniques and emotional depth with experimental pop sensibilities that appeal to Bush admirers.
Homogenic
Bjork
Delivers inventive electronic production, unconventional song structures, and emotive vocals that echo Bush's innovative approach to pop music.
Also Appears On
Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
“Side A is art-pop perfection. Side B — 'The Ninth Wave' — is a conceptual suite about drowning that's unlike anything else in popular music. Kate Bush was decades ahead of everyone, and the EMI pressing captures the most ambitious pop album of the '80s.”
Apple Music 100 Best Albums
“Hounds of Love absolutely deserves this perch on Apple's list—it's the moment Kate Bush fully weaponized her art-pop vision without sacrificing a single hook or visceral moment. That opening synth stab on "Running Up That Hill" still hits like a needle drop in a quiet room, and the album's structural genius lies in how Side A delivers immediate pop brilliance while Side B unfolds as an experimental suite that deepens rather than alienates. The production is immaculate without being cold, and Bush's voice has never sounded more confident. Landing at number 50 feels right—it's iconic enough to be undeniable, but this placement respects that it's not a "greatest hits" list; it's recognizing Hounds of Love as the complete artistic statement it remains.”
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