Release Date: November 21, 2011
Kate Bush is an indie-folk diva. Her solemn, melancholy tunes are laden with soft rhythms and cold themes. After a six-year hiatus, the avant-garde guru released two albums in 2011, the first being Director’s Cut. Aptly-titled, 50 Words for Snow is hushed and slowly progressive, and although there are only a mere seven tracks, the album spans an hour.
Since 1978, the English singer-songwriter has maintained a niche genre for herself. She has worked with legends such as Peter Gabriel, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton and collaborates with Sir Elton John in “Snowed in at Wheeler Street.” Bush has continuously implemented an eclectic flair and artistic fluidity during the past 30 years, granting her the authority to produce an album so solemn, peaceful and profound, its slow-moving grace is as beautiful as it is vast.
50 Words for Snow floats through tender glistening piano. The dark vocals are chilling. The lyrics are interpretable as the listener would like. Imagine a snowy log cabin, deserted in peaceful nature. It’s lonely yet romantic, exhilarating yet calming.
This is 50 Words for Snow: the perfect complement to a hot cup of cocoa, a warm fire and a cozy blanket.
The beginning tracks float with spaciousness, almost seeming translucent. Nothing is vibrant. There are no frills. Whether her story is metaphoric or not, “Snowflake” opens with evocative vocals: “I was born in a cloud. Now I am falling. I want you to catch me.”
Picking up the pace in “Wild Man,” Bush tells a story about the Abominable Snowman. Andy Fairweather Low accompanies her among rhythms that are synthetically enhanced with intrigue to create a character reminiscent of Fever Ray. Low howls in the chorus, but in a subtle manner suited to the subdued tone of the album.
“Snowed in at Wheeler Street” returns the tone back to melancholy. John deepens the vocal range in a style unlike his own. Bush and John create a melodramatic love story with unraveling beats woven into a poignant design of emotional vocals by both musicians. Whether it is the presence of John or the relatable topic, this is easily the standout track of the album.
Bush utilizes a wide vocal range from operatic in “Lake Tahoe,” with the aid of singers Stefan Roberts and Michael Woods, to her own whispering in “Misty.” Her accompaniment spans from nearly nothing to multiple instrumentation. 50 Words for Snow is a slow and steady shower. It’s chilly, not harsh; beautiful, but welcomed only on occasion. Kate Bush resurfacing has and will continue to please fans of the pop star that once overthrew Madonna for the No. 1 song in the UK in 1985 (“Hound’s of Love” to trump “Like a Virgin”).
Kate Bush – 50 Words for Snow tracklist:
- “Snowflake”
- “Lake Tahoe”
- “Misty”
- “Wild Man”
- “Snowed in at Wheeler Street”
- “50 Words for Snow”
- “Among Angels”
