Kate Bush - 50 Words for Snow

Source: The List (Issue 690)
Date: 10 November 2011
Written by: Malcolm Jack

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The sensual, seductive Bush dominates a sparse, wintery, piano-led slow-burner

(Fish People/EMI)

In a burst of prolificacy unmatched since her 1978 debut year Kate Bush makes two new albums in 2011, raising her total for the last 18 years to a whopping three. Where Director’s Cut saw her reinterpret old songs, 50 Words For Snow comprises all new material, and will reassure patient fans that the famous recluse remains both a genius and certifiable loon.

It’s the sensual, seductive Bush we get throughout this sparse, wintery, piano-led slow-burner. On ‘Wild Man’ she makes oddly sexy listening out of whispering breathily about yetis; on ‘Snowed in at St Wheeler St’ she duets smoulderingly with Elton John. The fantastically weird title track – which features Stephen Fry listing 50 world expressions for snow like they’re aphrodisiac desserts – is comfortably the best song ever to contain the word ‘falupanjumpala’.