Surprise, Surprise! Excellent MLPS Packaging and Excellent
Frederick Baptist | Singapore | 01/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fans of Kate Bush are in for a real treat here as this second album of hers has been repackaged brilliantly in what can only be described as a work of art, mini-lp replica sleeve design and although not remastered, the sound quality is excellent!
This is more than can be said for her other albums released in this format by our friends from Toshiba-EMI Japan. Unlike the others, I have no qualms about recommending this to those who already have the much less expensive unremastered version of this album to pay the premium and to get this version. After listening to this, I can safely say (against popular opinion, I know) that this is after "Never Forever" my favourite Kate Bush album.
I cannot understand the harsh criticism of this album which is not as patchy as some have claimed and the quality of the tracks are still brilliant. The wit and great songwriting on my favourite track, "Don't Push Your Foot on the Heartbrake" the lyrics of which are almost as wonderfully witty as Steely Dan's "Deacon Blue" which is a great compliment I can tell you. Kate has also intelligently won the hearts of all her fellow countrymen with the great track, "Oh England, My Lionheart".
If this was a rush job as some have claimed, they certainly didn't rush the production and mastering which for an unremastered cd made in the late 70's is nothing short of excellent! I've heard far too many allegedly remastered discs that don't sound half as good as what has been done on this version. I can't find a single weak track here unlike on some of her other albums too.
Highly underrated and having heard all her albums except "Aerial", I can confidently say that this is among her top-3 ever albums. Very highly recommended."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1