Aerial

( 14 )

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - David Sprague
Letting more than a decade elapse between albums isn't usually advised, but on this 12-years-in-the-making set, Kate Bush proves herself as impervious as ever to the music world's changing sonic fashions and short attention spans. The double-disc Aerial is divided into two conceptually separate components, melding the ethereal and the earth-mother aspects of Bush's persona most engagingly, flitting around the edges of Red Shoes-styled rock, folk, and Celtic sounds without settling comfortably into any one niche. The first disc, subtitled "A Sea of Honey," is dominated by more accessible material, both melodically and topically -- from the piano-led "Mrs. Bartolozzi," ...
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - David Sprague
Letting more than a decade elapse between albums isn't usually advised, but on this 12-years-in-the-making set, Kate Bush proves herself as impervious as ever to the music world's changing sonic fashions and short attention spans. The double-disc Aerial is divided into two conceptually separate components, melding the ethereal and the earth-mother aspects of Bush's persona most engagingly, flitting around the edges of Red Shoes-styled rock, folk, and Celtic sounds without settling comfortably into any one niche. The first disc, subtitled "A Sea of Honey," is dominated by more accessible material, both melodically and topically -- from the piano-led "Mrs. Bartolozzi," an intricately woven tale that makes doing laundry seem like an exercise in erotica, to the pulsing "How to Be Invisible," which bluntly addresses the distaste for the spotlight that contributed to Bush's extended career hiatus. Such openness is par for the course here, whether Bush is moving toward the light, as on the medieval-sounding "Bertie," written for her young son, or dealing with the darkness, as on "A Coral Room," which revolves around the death of her mother. Disc 2, subtitled "A Sky of Honey," is more abstract but also decidedly more focused, given that it's intended to capture the passage of a day in the English countryside. Introduced by the sound of songbirds -- a device that's both quaint and fitting, given the bucolic music that follows -- the disc is unflaggingly upbeat lyrically, with melodies marked by a gentle rolling that suggests the hilly terrain of rural Britain. "Sunset," for instance, conveys an impression of waning daylight with a rhythm that stretches languidly, evoking memories of The Dreaming. The disc-closing title track, on the other hand, is the set's most buoyant, a bright-eyed greeting to a new day, which Bush approaches with guileless excitement. That's an ideal way to approach Aerial in general -- with the knowledge that something new and beautiful lurks beyond the next turn.
All Music Guide - Thom Jurek
Fierce Kate Bush fans who are expecting revelation in Aerial, her first new work since The Red Shoes in 1993, will no doubt scour lyrics, instrumental trills, and interludes until they find them. For everyone else, those who purchased much of Bush's earlier catalog because of its depth, quality, and vision, Aerial will sound exactly like what it is, a new Kate Bush record: full of her obsessions, lushly romantic paeans to things mundane and cosmic, and her ability to add dimension and transfer emotion though song. The set is spread over two discs. The first, A Sea of Honey, is a collection of songs, arranged for everything from full-on rock band to solo piano. The second, A Sky of Honey, is a conceptual suite. It was produced by Bush with engineering and mixing by longtime collaborator Del Palmer. A Sea of Honey is a deeply interior look at domesticity, with the exception of its opening track, "King of the Mountain," the first single and video. Bush does an acceptable impersonation of Elvis Presley in which she examines his past life on earth and present incarnation as spectral enigma. Juxtaposing the Elvis myth, Wagnerian mystery, and the image of Rosebud, the sled from Orson Welles' Citizen Kane, Bush's synthesizer, sequencer, and voice weigh in ethereally from the margins before a full-on rock band playing edgy and funky reggae enters on the second verse. Wind whispers and then howls across the cut's backdrop as she searches for the rainbow body of the disappeared one through his clothes and the tabloid tales of his apocryphal sightings, looking for a certain resurrection of his physical body. The rest of the disc focuses on more interior and domestic matters, but it's no less startling. A tune called "Pi" looks at a mathematician's poetic and romantic love of numbers. "Bertie" is a hymn to her son orchestrated by piano, Renaissance guitar, percussion, and viols. But disc one's strangest and most lovely moment is in "Mrs. Bartolozzi," scored for piano and voice. It revives Bush's obsessive eroticism through an ordinary woman's ecstatic experience of cleaning after a rainstorm, and placing the clothing of her beloved and her own into the washing machine and observing in rapt sexual attention. She sings "My blouse wrapping itself around your trousers/Oh the waves are going out/My skirt floating up around your waist...Washing machine/Washing machine." Then there's "How to Be Invisible," and the mysticism of domestic life as the interior reaches out into the universe and touches its magic: "Hem of anorak/Stem of a wall flower/Hair of doormat?/Is that autumn leaf falling?/Or is that you walking home?/Is that a storm in the swimming pool?" A Sky of Honey is 42 minutes in length. It's lushly romantic as it meditates on the passing of 24 hours. Its prelude is a short deeply atmospheric piece with the sounds of birds singing, and her son who is "the Sun" according to the credits intones, "Mummy...Daddy/The day is full of birds/Sounds like they're saying words." And "Prologue" begins with her piano, a chanted viol, and Bush crooning to romantic love, the joy of marriage and nature communing, and the deep romance of everyday life. There's drama, stillness, joy, and quiet as its goes on, but it's all held within, as in "An Architect's Dream," where the protagonist encounters a working street painter going about his work in changing light: "The flick of a wrist/Twisting down to the hips/So the lovers begin with a kiss...." Loops, Eberhard Weber's fretless bass, drifting keyboards, and a relaxed delivery create an erotic tension, in beauty and in casual voyeurism. "Sunset" has Bush approaching jazz, but it doesn't swing so much as it engages the form. Her voice digging into her piano alternates between lower-register enunciation and a near falsetto in the choruses. There is a sense of utter fascination with the world as it moves toward darkness, and the singer is enthralled as the sun climbs into bed, before it streams into "Sunset," a gorgeous flamenco guitar and percussion-driven call-and-response choral piece -- it's literally enthralling. It is followed by a piece of evening called "Somewhere Between," in which lovers take in the beginning of night. As "Nocturne" commences, shadows, stars, the beach, and the ocean accompany two lovers who dive down deep into one another and the surf. Rhythms assert themselves as the divers go deeper and the band kicks up: funky electric guitars pulse along with the layers of keyboards, journeying until just before sunup. But it is on the title track that Bush gives listeners her greatest surprise. Dawn is breaking and she greets the day with a vengeance. Manic, crunchy guitars play power chords as sequencers and synths make the dynamics shift and swirl. In her higher register, Bush shouts, croons, and trills against and above the band's force. Nothing much happens on Aerial except the passing of a day, as noted by the one who engages it in the process of being witnessed, yet it reveals much about the interior and natural worlds and expresses spiritual gratitude for everyday life. Musically, this is what listeners have come to expect from Bush at her best -- a finely constructed set of songs that engage without regard for anything else happening in the world of pop music. There's no pushing of the envelope because there doesn't need to be. Aerial is rooted in Kate Bush's oeuvre, with grace, flair, elegance, and an obsessive, stubborn attention to detail. What gets created for the listener is an ordinary world, full of magic; it lies inside one's dwelling in overlooked and inhabited spaces, and outside, from the backyard and out through the gate into wonder.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Calvin Wilson
[Grade: A] Bush is at her exhilarating best, conjuring epic soundscapes that imaginatively meld with the intimacy of her lyrics and voice.

[Grade: A] Bush is at her exhilarating best, conjuring epic soundscapes that imaginatively meld with the intimacy of her lyrics and voice.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 12/6/2005
  • Label: Toshiba Emi Japan
  • EAN: 4988006836051
  • Catalog Number: 66474

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 King of the Mountain (4:53)
  2. 2 Pi (6:09)
  3. 3 Bertie (4:18)
  4. 4 Mrs. Bartolozzi (5:58)
  5. 5 How to Be Invisible (5:32)
  6. 6 Joanni (4:56)
  7. 7 A Coral Room (6:12)
Disc 2
  1. 1 Prelude (1:26)
  2. 2 Prologue (5:42)
  3. 3 An Architect's Dream (4:50)
  4. 4 The Painter's Link (1:35)
  5. 5 Sunset (5:58)
  6. 6 Aerial Tal (1:01)
  7. 7 Somewhere in Between (5:00)
  8. 8 Nocturn (8:34)
  9. 9 Aerial (7:52)
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Album Credits

Performance Credits
Kate Bush Primary Artist, Piano, Keyboards
Peter Erskine Drums
Michael Kamen Conductor
Eberhard Weber Bass, Bass Guitar
Booty Wood Vocals
Gary Brooker Hammond Organ, Background Vocals, Hammond B3
Rolf Harris Didjeridu
Paddy Bush Background Vocals
Lol Creme Background Vocals
Stuart Elliott Drums
John Giblin Bass, Bass Guitar
Danny McIntosh Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar
Del Palmer Bass, Bass Guitar
Richard Campbell Viol
Susanna Pell Viol
Chris Hall Accordion
Eligio Quinteiro Guitar
Chris Hall Accordion
Dan McIntosh Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar
Michael Wood Vocals
Robin Jeffrey Percussion
Steve Sanger Drums
Bosco D'Oliveira Percussion
Technical Credits
Kate Bush Composer, Producer, Audio Production
Michael Kamen Orchestral Arrangements
James Guthrie Mastering
Del Palmer Engineer
James Southall Paintings
Simon Rhodes Engineer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 14 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(9)

4 Star

(3)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

(1)

1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 14 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A marvellous album of Kate

    When we turn up the fifties and have through the last three decades experienced such marvellous examples of good Pop Music is rather disappointing to look at the present catalogue of music editions, nowadays. Its is mainly a problem of creativity, distinctiveness, skill and inspiration but also of criteria of what deserves to be publish or not. Looking at the charts I hardly can keep one name in mind, one album that looks different, inovative and deserves a detailed audition. The exceptions to be Martha Wainright, Jill Scott or Mary J. Bleige. So we stick on the old names: Sherryl Crow, Tori Amos, Heidi Berry, Sarah McLaughan. Kate Bush returns to our company ten years late with a remarkable Aerial, a double album that could be a commercial risk but is surely an exercise of first-class taste, intimacy, craftsmanship, and maturity. We just want to have it edited in vinyl and let it roll on an old turnplate over and over again, letting her voice and piano trespassing us in the silence of our room, and taken us to the Celtic England that existed once-upon-a-time. A must, probably the best album in class of female songwriters of 2005. Careful production.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    tracks for the cd

    Part One: A Sea of Honey 1. King Of The Mountain 2. pi 3. Bertie 4. Mrs. Bartolozzi 5. How To Be Invisible 6. Joanni 7. A Coral Room Part Two: A Sky of Honey 1. Prelude 2. Prologue 3. An Architect's Dream 4. The Painter's Link 5. Sunset 6. Aerial Tal 7. Somewhere In Between 8. Nocturn 9. Aerial It appears that 12 years out of the spotlight has given Ms.Bush something to write about...the first single "King of the Mountain" has spun off into mystical waves like those of her past hits "Running up that Hill" and "Man with the child in his Eyes"...the beats are rythmic and chanting, the terms of Rosebud brings you into the circle of Mr.Orson Welles's Citizen Kane...like herself, she is a mystery, her music is that of magic and wonder...I think this double cd will hold up against her past musical contributions: The Sensual World,The Dreaming,Neverforver and The Red Shoes.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Aerial

    I can't think of any artist putting out 8 albums and not be a success and Kate Bush is no different. Although she hasn't released an album in years, there is no doubt that Aerial will make an impact with its content and originality. Aerial is simply beautiful & amazing. How To Be Invisible, A Coral Room & Sky Of Honey are a few of my personal favorites on this album. Despite her hiatus, her music is still passionate which makes her worth listening to.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    i love the new album

    I’ve been listening to Kate Bush since junior high- wow, that seems like a long time ago.  I’ve always been very inspired by her music and Aerial is no different. This double album feels like Kate has grown with me over the years. Satisfying and relaxing- all her genius has stayed with her over the past 12 years since The Red Shoes. Bertie’s definitely my favorite track, I’ve been playing it over and over again.  Anyhow, Aerial doesn’t disappoint- a must have, and a must give for the holidays.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Ethereal

    The push and pull of emotions in Kates music is still pulse pounding. This was worth the wait. Welcome back Kate!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Bush is Brilliant

    Kate Bush is an amazing singer as proven on her new album "Aerial". I am an even bigger fan after seeing her perform live. This is one music album that won't dissappoint!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Madonna who?

    Kate Bush is probably the only female artist who still leaves something to the imagination with her music, a great example of this is her work on Aerials. At first i found the album to be a little overhyped, but after listening to it a few times, i found my favorite song "Sunset". I love how she can jump from one form of music to the other. She has this amazing ability to mix all these different elements of music together like classical, electronica and rock. After waiting for 12 years, i can say that i am a satifisfied fan and i highly recommend this album.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    2005 is the year of comebacks...

    Shakira, Madonna, Thalia, Mariah Carey, Fiona Apple, and now Kate Bush!! Aerial is Kate's best next to Hounds of Love & The Sensual World. Aerial is Kate at her most intimate time. She gets personal with the listener doing songs about real life. Her son Bertie, her mother's death, and love. With ambient sounds and two discs, Kate returns back to how she used to be. The first disc, A Sea of Honey, is a group of totally unrelated songs that also includes her single, "King of the Mountain". The second disc, A Sky of Honey, is a mix of related songs with really relaxing music. It also has the title track, Aerial. With Kate's voice and beautiful music, Aerial is a masterpiece. Aerial is one of the best albums of 2005.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Kate Bush's Triumphant Return!

    Aerial, Kate Bush's first cd in twelve years, is absolutely magnificent. Many of the reviews that I have read have been very critical of the first disc, A Sea of Honey, but I found it rather moving, especially Mrs. Bartolozzi, How to be Invisible, and A Coral Room. The second disc, A Sky of Honey, is the real stunner. The first time I heard this recording, it left me speechless at its beauty and magic. Only Kate Bush could have conceived and executed this music, in her own inimitable way. If music moves you deeply, pick up Aerial. You will be touched by it.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Should have been a single CD

    This double album would have worked better if it was a single disc. This is what happens when you produce your own material. Too much filler.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    It's about time!

    After a 12 year absence, this was well worth waiting for. Majestic and experimental, just what we've all known Kate Bush to be like. A magnificent comeback and reminiscent of Hounds Of Love in it's concept.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Kate still has the kick inside..

    Ever since Kate Bush tenderly and magnificently raged onto the music scene at 19 in 1978, she has been the most unique female vocalist and pianist the UK has produced, inspiring the likes of Tori Amos and younger female artists around the world with her heady blend of dreamlike vocals, quirky guest-musicians and odd-addictive performance art. Bush is not only supurb in her execution of music, her knowledge of the form, and her endless creative ability but she has a magnificent sensual voice capable of any octave and able to swim with the listener from deep reedy depths to high dramatic screams. All this and more made Bush a force to be reckoned with and her disappearance from the music-scene after The Red Shoes was much lammented. Needless to say we all eagerly anticipated her return, some 12 years later she is back with the double album Aerial. While I am utterly devoted to Kate Bush, I recognize that this album is going to be appreciated by the long-time fans of Bush whether it is good or not, simply because of our love for all things Kate. Saying that, stepping outside of fandom and looking at the album with a critics eye, it still stands up. This album is not for everyone, if you don't like weird, whacky and just plain bizzare, then you might find all of the above in Aerial. Good grief, it does have Rolf Harris singing, her little son and brother thrown into the mix and Kate's unpredictable journey through song-writing and passion. As such the album strikes me as a very personal, more so than any previously, account of Kate's life over the missing 12 years. She has matured, her voice is deeper, her reflection slower, she takes her time. You will not find the unadulterated heights of Wuthering Heights here, or the banshee screams of her earlier work, but if you enjoy a reflective, somewhat fantasmical foray into music, both ambient and ambitious in direction, this is for you. The vaunted King of the Mountain track was enjoyable if not a bit agonizing in its execution, Bertie was sweet, I have read that Mrs. Bartolozzi is considered the best track on the first disk but I did not like it, just a little too off-kilter for me. How to Be Invisible was more enjoyable, it spoke of the anquish and the ordinary in such a way as to inspire passion out of ordinary things, much as Kate has always been capable of doing. Disk 2 I enjoyed much more Prelude is a strong track that reals you in for the experience, Prologue a great follow-up, An Architect's Dream captivating and slow, The Painter's Link is the track that features Rolf Harris and whilst good in parts, is a little hinky and 'diggish' as Kate has often been described. Sunset is my favorite track of all, it has an underworldly feel, and the lyrics are beautifully matched, the piano work in all tracks is delightful, the Spanish guitar a real treat. I would only say that with an artist of Kate's caliber you would always expect her voice to be the most desirable element of an album, as it has been from the start and in her guest appearances with Peter Gabriel. Her voice is so magnetic that nothing else can eclipse it, however in this album one gets the impression that production, experience and grafting of music take presidence even over the honey-splashed vocals of Ms Bush. For those who know Bush's music well, this is a bit of a disappointment. Saying that, her return to us, and this beautiful album, are much appreciated if not quite as sensual as The Sensual World or as perfect as Hounds of Love, infinitely stronger than The Red Shoes. Please don't wait another 12 years...

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 26, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 25, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 14 Customer Reviews