Album: Lionheart

Background and Production
"Lionheart" is the second studio album by the English singer-songwriter and artist Kate Bush. Launched in November 1978, the album came just 9 months after Bush's debut album "The Kick Inside", which had developed her as a major skill in the UK music scene. Bush had actually at first planned for "Lionheart" to be the very first of a trio of albums released in fast succession, with the 3rd being an idea album. However, this enthusiastic plan was later on downsized, with Bush focusing her efforts entirely on "Lionheart".

The album was mainly taped at Super Bear Studios in Berre-les-Alpes, a remote place in the French Alps. Bush has later said that she felt hurried during the making of the album due to her management's desire for a quick follow-up to "The Kick Inside". She has actually likewise discussed feeling separated during the recording procedure and how this impacted her work, with the cold and remote setting influencing the album's state of mind and styles.

Bush co-produced "Lionheart" with Andrew Powell, who likewise co-produced her launching album. The two teamed up closely during the recording process, with Powell accountable for the album's lush orchestral arrangements that would become a Bush trademark.

Music and Themes
"Lionheart" is a progressive pop and art-rock album that includes a series of styles, from piano ballads to uptempo rock numbers. Stylistically, it is similar to Bush's launching "The Kick Inside", with many of the tunes featuring the exact same piano-based arrangements and ethereal, theatrical vocals.

The album's styles are largely focused around Bush's fascination with literature, mythology, history, and dream. This can be seen in tracks such as "Looking For Peter Pan", which combines aspects of J.M. Barrie's traditional character with Bush's own experience of maturing, while "Oh England My Lionheart" draws on English patriotism and nostalgia for a bygone age.

Among the album's standout tracks is "Symphony in Blue", a jazz-inflected piano ballad that showcases Bush's lyrical flair, with lines such as "I am drifting on the caffeine and the nicotine" highlighting her poetic perceptiveness. Other highlights consist of "Hammer Horror", a remarkable, Gothic-influenced tribute to the classic British scary film studio, and "Wow", a wacky song about the trials and tribulations of being a stage actor.

Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, "Lionheart" got normally positive reviews from critics, who applauded its ambitious scope and Bush's vocal and songwriting capabilities. The album peaked at No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart and went on to become a gold-selling record in the UK.

However, some critics have actually revealed the viewpoint that the album experienced the rushed production schedule, with numerous songs never completely realizing their potential. Bush herself has actually revealed frustration with the final product, stating in a 1989 interview that she wanted she had "had more time to truly work on it like [' The Kick Inside'].

Despite the blended sensations surrounding "Lionheart", the album stays a crucial entry in Bush's discography, reflecting her development as a songwriter and the continued development of her unique, ethereal noise that would concern specify her career. Over the years, songs from "Lionheart" have acquired a cult following amongst fans, with tracks like "Hammer Horror" and "Wow" staying live favorites at Bush's uncommon performance appearances.