Aerial
by Kate Bush
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Nov 8, 2005
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 325 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 291 out of 325
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 325
  3. Negative: 26 out of 325

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  1. MichaelK
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    simply wonderful
  2. DavidM
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    Beautiful.
  3. RogerS
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    The closest pop music comes to outsider art, and I mean that in a good way. Kate has always followed her own muse, as if the fickle tastes of the mainstream were non-existant, and the result is a double album that works both as ambient background and as a closely-scrutinized, layered work.
  4. RayH
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    A magnificent, emotionally overwhelming piece of music. I think the second disc will become recognised as her best work. Who else could have made this record?
  5. ElstonG
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    It's pure art, she is simply fantastic human been with lot of love for all.
  6. RB
    Nov 17, 2005
    10
    astounding
  7. coryB.
    Nov 16, 2005
    9
    Welcome back Kate. You have outdone yourself this time. Sincere, elegant music. Soothing and original. Beautiful piano licks, striking violin. I've missed that sound. Kates voice gets better with age.
  8. RR
    Nov 15, 2005
    4
    Maybe my expectations were just too high. Maybe I need to listen to the album a few more times (had 5 -close- listens so far). But I can't help being completely and utterly disappointed by Aerial. 12 years is a looong time by anyone's standards. I always thought that if Kate Bush had found different priorities in her life, well, then that's all right. She had already given Maybe my expectations were just too high. Maybe I need to listen to the album a few more times (had 5 -close- listens so far). But I can't help being completely and utterly disappointed by Aerial. 12 years is a looong time by anyone's standards. I always thought that if Kate Bush had found different priorities in her life, well, then that's all right. She had already given us some of the best songs in any musical genre. That's enough for me. But now, consider Aerial. The songs in Aerial are completely unremarkable. There is not a single melody on this album worth remembering. I listen to it, I really try to concentrate on the music, but my mind wanders off to something more interesting while I'm doing it. As I am a musician myself, I can appreciate the craft and ingenuity that went into the arrangements - this is Aerial's one saving grace. But the songs? Kate's songs used to be earth-shaking. These don't even manage to ruffle the wings on a fly. The best example is perhaps the song "Pi", which is really as exciting as someone reciting the number Pi to you - endlessly, mercilessly. No dynamics, the song starts nowhere and goes nowhere. Intellectually, I know that the musical form is supposed to mirror the lyrical content here, but emotionally, I am left out in the cold. And that's ultimately how I feel about the entire album, even though the subject matter of some of the songs should be able to move me. It doesn't. Well, that's not entirely true It all really makes me sad, because it took Kate Bush 12 years to come up with a beautifully wrapped waste of time, but thankfully, I can easily dispel that feeling by putting Hounds of Love or The Dreaming in my CD player. Even her last disappointment, The Red Shoes, was a strong album by comparison.… Expand
  9. danielc
    Nov 15, 2005
    10
    A gem and a masterpiece! Worth every day of the lonnggg wait.
  10. JimP
    Nov 15, 2005
    10
    Much anticipated.....not disappointing. As always, grows effortlessly richer with repeated and close listening.
  11. JariV
    Nov 15, 2005
    10
    A masterpiece.
  12. GregG
    Nov 15, 2005
    10
    Easily Kate's best since "Hounds of Love." The second CD is amazing, and should be listened to as one, complete, unified piece. "Nocturn" may be one of the greatest songs she's ever written. Kate Bush is one of music's few true originals.
  13. AmyO
    Nov 15, 2005
    9
    This disc exceeds all of my expectations. I have been a fan for over twenty years and I can easily say that this is probably her most emotionally resonant and musically beautiful work. Highlights are the moving "A Coral Room" and the musically adventurous "Sunset" and "Nocturne". Unforgettable!
  14. macky
    Nov 14, 2005
    9
    Great album, her best album since Hounds of love. She is unique and when you hear music as good as this it makes you realise how much un-original junk is coming out at the moment. There is only one Kate!
  15. alanc
    Nov 14, 2005
    10
    One of her best offerings to date. CD2 excellece in ambience
  16. HaroldGreen
    Nov 14, 2005
    10
    Aerial is simply the best album of 2005.
  17. EdwardH
    Nov 14, 2005
    10
    I love the lyrics so much... so different from the current pop-rape songs... The album shows so many different aspect of her life, love of her son, and the rumours. She might not be the most shi-shi looking and glamourous artist, but that's what's so good about her... finally true talent.
  18. ninab
    Nov 14, 2005
    10
    Once in a while an absoluetly pure, sensitive CD comes along which touches deeply. Did not know what to expect with this new one, but figured I could'nt go wrong with Kate. Put it on and was totally captivated, it pulls you in quickly and does not let go. Its rich in sound, beautiful but simple in songwriting and emotionally moving. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder, Once in a while an absoluetly pure, sensitive CD comes along which touches deeply. Did not know what to expect with this new one, but figured I could'nt go wrong with Kate. Put it on and was totally captivated, it pulls you in quickly and does not let go. Its rich in sound, beautiful but simple in songwriting and emotionally moving. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder, glad to have Kate back.… Expand
  19. simong
    Nov 13, 2005
    10
    just awesome
  20. StephenR
    Nov 13, 2005
    10
    GENIUS! Powerful, moving, so refreshing, I am blown away by the power of this album
  21. ToddB
    Nov 13, 2005
    10
    One of Kate's best....especially A Sky of Honey...absolutely beautiful. There is nobody like her and her music and it`s wonderful to have her back!!
  22. LynM
    Nov 12, 2005
    10
    Kate is better than ever. As I have said in other reviews, Aerial is a shameless and glorious expression of adoration. Absolutely enchanting!
  23. AlexB
    Nov 12, 2005
    9
    To hear that voice again in those beautiful intelligent compositions has been worth the 12 year long wait!
  24. McTaffish
    Nov 12, 2005
    10
    Stunning. A truly beautiful album. Thanks Kate.
  25. Brandon
    Nov 12, 2005
    8
    Could have been shaved down to a single album by removing some of the less-than-stellar tracks - still a very fine record, my first Kate Bush purchase and am interested enough to collect more of her albums.
  26. BrianK
    Nov 12, 2005
    10
    10 is nowhere near enough. Apprehensive after her 12 years absence, I am thrilled to hear her once again. "Nocturn" and "Aerial" rank among the best songs she has ever done. This ranks as the best CD to come out by anyone in years.
  27. [Anonymous]
    Nov 12, 2005
    10
    Throat-gripping, exquisite masterpiece...interesting to note that Kate and Madonna are the same age.....
  28. MichaelS
    Nov 12, 2005
    10
    A small masterpiece.
  29. PW
    Nov 12, 2005
    10
    An amazing album that gets better with each subsequent listen. Hands down the best album that I have heard all year. And frankly, I'm not even that much of a fan of Kate Bush!
  30. ColinO
    Nov 12, 2005
    10
    I was a big fan before, and couldn't wait for this to arrive................... sorry just getting up after pasing out, WOW!!!!!!! What an album. Usually takes me a couple of times to like other songs, but loved it first time. Welcome back Kate.
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Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Best Album of 2005
12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2005
17
#17 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. AllMusic
    80
    There's no pushing of the envelope because there doesn't need to be. Aerial is rooted in Kate Bush's oeuvre, with grace, flair, elegance, and an obsessive, stubborn attention to detail.
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  2. Billboard
    80
    Despite her prolonged absence, Bush sounds as vital as ever.
    Read full review
  3. musicOMH.com
    90
    Like all ambitious double albums, [Aerial] is not without its flaws, but even Bush's moments of failure are much more interesting than those of her contemporaries.
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