Welcome to Review Revue, where every Thursday I dig through the KEXP stacks to share DJ reviews and comments written on the covers of LPs (and occasionally CDs) in the ’80s and ’90s, when the station was called KCMU, the DJs were volunteers, and people shared their opinions on little white labels instead of the internet.
If Kate Bush is an artist who needs no introduction - and she certainly shouldn't in these parts - then Hounds of Love is probably the reason why. With over three decades of hindsight, this album seems to be almost universally beloved, and it contains at least a couple songs that people like me - who like her just fine but are by no means Kate Bush scholars - think of as soon as you say the words "Kate Bush."
So it should be no surprise that, at KCMU in 1985, nobody really had anything bad to say about this album. And, since Kate Bush is a freakishly gifted woman who doesn't seem to care a whole lot what you might think of her, it should also be no surprise that the discussion on her album cover mutates in all sorts of weird ways that have nothing to do with the music, and pretty much everything to do with her gender. In the end, Jonathan Poneman stands as one of the few sane voices in the crowd, but about the only voice I feel like I want to hear more of is Kate Bush's.
"Finally the long awaited LP. Still the same KB arrangements, maybe a bit more rhythm and perhaps a slightly more polished presentation. Still you won't be disappointed."
"She's too darn pretty to deserve this."
"Shut up, Art."
"'Running Up That Hill' will finally get Kate the recognition she has always deserved in this country. [Way to call it!] Lots of great songs to try on this."
"'Shut Up' is a rude + unfriendly thing to say, Mr. Poneman."
[scribbled out comment
"Oops. One more time: Better 'Rude + unfriendly' than sexist & condescending. Anyway old bean, sometimes it's easier to use two words than to say what two stickers worth of words have to offer - and more effective!"
"So who's condescending and can't understand ____ grungepop stabs at enviable swellness? Stop pontificating ___ ol' bean."
"If I were petty I'd be angry too."
"Oy! -Alfred"
"Good stuff, but why do the dogs look dead, and what in heaven's name is she doing with her left hand?"
"Kate's pink vinyl."
"Jon and Art: If you children can't get along, I'm turning this car around and we'll go home! Now shut up and use your energy wisely."
"I finally discovered what a great LP this is, 6/86"
This week's Review Revue revisits The Bangles' Bangles EP. See what KCMU DJs thought back in the day.
This week's Review Revue revisits Bongwater's The Power Of Pussy. See what KCMU DJs thought back in the day.
This week's Review Revue revisits The Breeders' landmark debut. See what KCMU DJs thought back in the day.
This week's Review Revue revisits one of David Bowie's "lesser-liked albums." See what KCMU DJs thought back in the day.
This week we're looking at the second album from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who now need no introduction, but in 1985 were far from a household name.
