The Dreaming

I remember reading somewhere that playing this Kate Bush's THE DREAMING on Halloween might serve to invite all manor of demons, goblins and things that go bump in the night into one's life. Well, it certainly is one of the eeriest records I've ever heard, but I doubt anyone's in danger of accidentally summoning "Captain Howdy" no matter when you play it.I would caution you to be careful for WHOM you play it. THE DREAMING was my own intro to Kate Bush's work back in the early '80s and it threw me for an absolute loop. I had never heard anything quite like it--quite as brilliant that is. I was never one to object to letting a little "weirdness in." But I surmised even then what I know now: this one's gonna scare the proverbial wits out of a lot of neophytes. As off-the-wall as "Wuthering Heights" or "Running Up That Hill" were in their ways, they'll always serve as better texts for Kate 101. Save this brilliant record for your grad level work, I'd say.Kate's misterioso side was given full reign on THE DREAMING. Back in the day, I only had a little cassette player in my German dorm room and the European tape I had provided no lyric sheet. For some reason, I thought ALL the songs had something to do with death and the world beyond. I interpreted the caper-gone-wrong song, "There Goes A Tenner," as being told from the point of view of the ghost of one of the would-be perps (who failed to treat the "gelignite tenderly" and blown themselves to kingdom come).That may have been an over-interpretation. When I look at the actual lyrics these days, I don't see what prompted me to draw that particular conclusion. On the other hand, "All the Love," "Houdini," and, especially, "Get Out of My House" really are quite spooky, in their various ways. And the title tune is, while having more to do with Aboriginal lore, is just as eerie when you get right down to it. Guaranteed you've never heard anything quite like it.Listening to THE DREAMING might not lead to actual demonic possession, but it WILL turn your head around.

Rediscovered this album after about 20 years when I read an article that she was coming back to the music scene. The tunes were still in my head, but giving them a fresh listen only confirmed what a great artist she is. A classic, quirky but memorable collection of songs from a true artist. Not every single track is perfect, but Kate Bush is willing to explore sounds and story lines like nobody else and she is so emotionally engaged in every song that s sometimes takes my breath away.

When people speak of The Beatles reinventing music with Revolver, this is that very same type of experience. This is nothing short of genius, and easily Kate's best album. For what was to come in 1985 with Hounds of Love being her Sgt. Pepper - The Dreaming is her Revolver. An amazing album with great short stories, characters and texture...not to mention that it is Out There. One for the ages. And I was one of it's detractors as a kid...I was in love with Kate's first three albums, and then The Dreaming came out in 1982, when I was 14 - and I was baffled by it..! It took six months before it started to sink in, and once I got into the right space with it, it became like breathing air to me. It is not an easily accessible album by any means - but like a book of good stories by Poe or Lovecraft...once you get it, it unfolds itself to you and you are a lifer. There is no better album than this from that decade. This is the definitive Kate Bush.

This is a great showcase of her talents. "Suspended in Gaffa" is a peculiar but very enjoyable tune where disjointed lyrics attempt to tackle cosmic questions - like something out of Hunky Dory-era David Bowie. Kate's outstanding voice is used to great affect in the melodramatic "Houdini". This whole album is worth your time.

These songs, classic Kate Bush, hold up over time. It's a slice of a cool musical past that should never be retired.

Oh my goodness....I had this on a vinyl LP back when I was a very young teenager and nearly drove my parents CRAZY with it. I listened to it 3 times a day for about two years....about 700 times or more...when I was 14 and 15. Now that I listen to it again, I see it was terribly formative for me, a major influence on my life. I never realized how much the lyrics interweave through my psyche even now, miles away, years later....Buy this and it will change your life.

Kate is the best female artist, period. And this is one of her best albums.

While my heart remains loyal to Kate's first album, this is by far my most favorite. Put your headphones on and turn it up!

Tremendous work from Kate. This shows the potential for her pending breakthrough.

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After her earlier albums this seems to be the one where she really finds her true creativity leading the way for her later works, it's hard to believe this was derided by many on release because even now it sounds fresh. I only started listening to Kate Bush from The Hounds Of Love onwards and until recently hadn't gone back any further (other than the whole story) and now I wish I'd listen to this years ago

Experimental and it more often works than not.

Takes a bit of getting used to. Not your average Kate masterpiece but had to have it to complete my collection. Sat In Your Lap is still a brilliant song though.