In general, the second side shares an astonishing amount of resemblance to video game music, which is just further testament to the innovation on show. Furthermore, the steady stride of “Watching You Without Me” shares an identical ambience to that of temple music from The Legend of Zelda. Vincent have cited Bush as a major influence, and you can hear so much of Hounds of Love in the music of Florence and The Machine, Bat for Lashes, and countless more. Multiple musical innovators such as Björk and St. The stunning ornamentation is a huge part of the record’s success, and its influence and legacy truly cannot be overstated.
Timbre is a key part of why it remains a captivating listen 30 years later: the tribal percussion that leads the way on “Running Up That Hill” the delicate picking of the bouzouki that decorates “And Dream of Sheep” the deep tones of the double bass that beautifully embellishes “Watching You Without Me the theremin-like whistle that plays on “Mother Stands for Comfort”. All the sounds on Hounds of Love exude extraordinary amounts of character. Bush doesn’t have a conventionally strong pop voice, but it is remarkably expressive, and she uses it in weird and wonderful ways. The enthusiasm and motivation to experiment is not just impressive, it’s thoroughly engaging. The mystical quality that runs throughout Hounds of Love not only arouses mystery and wonder, it covers a few minor blemishes on the way too. These imperfections are perhaps merely part of the charm, such is the aura of abnormality. The pirate frolic of “Jig of Life” is as jarring as it is aggravating, though undoubtedly still a lot of fun. Indeed, whilst it’s clear to see what Bush was envisaging on “Waking the Witch”, the implementation is certainly clumsy, somewhat lumbering and heavy-handed, and it ends up feeling overblown as a result. There’s a direct purpose behind every move, even if the execution isn’t always flawless. There’s a lofty concept behind the albums structure - the weight and meaning of its two sides - but Bush rarely lets the music slip away from pop arrangements. Despite its quirks, the record retains a level of accessibility that keeps it well within the territory of pop. The music is beautifully dramatic, like a howling wind moving ferociously through a magical landscape. Very few albums evoke the sense of mystery and wonder like Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love.
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