One of the defining albums of the 21st century, in the same way Hounds of Love was a defining moment in late 20th century popular music.

Very few albums surprise me, this one did... Having only started listening to Kate about 4 years ago, it was cool to see a new album emerge abd hearing her voice with more modern day production.. Also, the thought that went into everything is staggering... even the artwork with double CD case where laundry turns to birds..... I'm glad I own this one...

Most excellent. Makes every other purchase in the past two years seem frivolous by comparison. Oh, if only the other 99.9999% of artists had the vision to make a disc like this. . . .

I don't know how this woman does it...with an album that focuses on domestic life and urges the listening to concentrate on the small things in life (birdsong, the changing light of the day, domestic chores, the smile of a child), she has ended up creating a mind blowing album. Amazing. Listen with an open mind and be swept away...

While Kate Bush is a big star in the EU and Japan, here in the USA, she has only had a cult following. I am a happy member of this cult. Aerial is not an album that will yield hit singles, but Bush's complex, almost hypnotic songs grabbed my soul after a couple of listens. This is the work of a true, popular music genius!

After a listen a sea of honey left me cold.A sky of honey made me hot and horny.I allway wanderd what it would be like to have sex with Kate Bush after to hearing A sky of honey I nkow.

A real experimental masterpiece! Only Kate can make songs like Aerial Prologue or Prelude in that Age. The album is the successor of Hounds of Love! A masterpiece!

By modern standards it should get 11. Really. Even though it's not perfect, even the failing points have so many redeeming qualities that it is way beyond the sum of it's parts. It gives many a contemporary musician a worthwhile goal: personal, experimental, daring, beautiful, emotional and against the grain. Not many can pull that off successfully in this world of same-o-same-o. And for the listner: countless of hours of listening, finding and enjoyment.… Expand

Just fantastic!

An album that has genuinely touched me, and I dare say may be one of the finest I've ever heard. From anyone.

A tremendous return, especially after the slightly disappointing Red Shoes album.

astonishing! magical!

Pure Magic. Well worth the wait we have had to endure. Perhaps not as great as hounds of love but defintley a masterpiece. Grammy will be singing areials toon.

Back and better than ever!

Worth every year. Worth every damn second.

Wow, I've been a Kate fan for several years now and after The Red Shoes being such an overcooked record I really wasn't expecting anything as beatiful and beguling as this. Nearly 30 years on she still manages to be one of the most essential artists around.

cd1 is great, cd2 is perfect and when it ends, it makes you want to listen to a cd3. aerial is the kind of album that gets better and better with each listen. hope we don't have to wait another 12 years for more.

This is what genius sounds like... A simply amazing and accessible work from an incredibly talented artist.

Absolutely superb...it gets better and better and better with each playfrom the Lemon Jelly-styled paean to numbers which is "Pi", moody rocker "How To Be Invisible", the tearjerking "A Coral Room" (worth the price alone) to the gorgeous "Sky of Honey" suite. This album will make you feel delirious and slightly high after listening to it!

Kate's back and better than ever. Aerial is her most cohesive and fully realized album thus far.

Brilliant - anything that you like the first listen is crap. It took a few listens to discover how unashamedly brilliant this recording is!

This 2-disc album, first with a Sea of Honey, then a Sky of Honey is a journey into the natural and mystical auditory realm. Though a long time admirer of Kate Bush's work, this creation took a bit getting used to: though the payoff is quite satisfying if one has no preconceived expectations. Just take the journey with her, and enjoy the ride. Maybe a little less birdsong, but all in all an enjoyable listen. My favourite disc has to be Sky of Honey for its pure visualization and atmosphere. Welcome back Kate!… Expand

An outstanding album by anyone's standards. Some of the most beautiful music she has ever recorded. One to treasure for many years to come.

I can't get enough of the second disk! The first disk has great moments, but the real brilliance of Bush's ability remain spotlighted in tracks like "Sunset" and "Nocturn." Good to have her back!

Masterpiece!

Beautiful. Thought provoking. Genius

Well after a 12 year gap the question everyone wants answered is has it been worth the wait? Most definitely yes, Kate makes the album shes always wanted to and her genius is let loose completely on this double album. The first cd titled A Sea Of Honey is typical Kate with perhaps the best ever song about numbers, as with any Kate album she does take alot of risks but even when she occasionally becomes a bit too self indulgent or takes a risk too far musically shes still wonderfully eccentric. The second cd titled A Sky Of Honey is where she lets it all out and brings together things that you think how does she make that work? the sound of birdsong, and especially wood pigeons are all brought together beautifully to give an organic start to some of the songs, in a sense this grounds the listener. Although the second cd is quite conceptual in nature there are some wonderful songs and beautiful choruses, after the first listen you want to go back and listen again to check you didnt miss something, theres so much going on here and most of it is beautifully drawn together. This album takes to you to far away places in your mind, at times haunting, beautiful, eccentric, innovative,it takes chances, it pushes the listener and rewards them. Simply put this album is like a snow capped mountain rising above the clouds,it leaves the majority of todays so called music deep in the valley below! A wonderful return from Kate, its great to have you back but please dont make us wait another 12 years.… Expand

Many fans expect to be challenged by Kate Bush, but this isn't that kind of album at all. It's simply beautiful, pulling on many of the best elements of her past music. I have listened to this perhaps a hundred time (honestly) -- especially the second disc, the "concept album" -- and don't tire of it. I bought it for my mom, and she loves it too. The appeal is broad and universal, easily Kate's most accessible effort.… Expand

Oh yes! It's so sweet to have a great musician in the rock/pop world come back with a stroke of genius like this, and it happens so seldom. Bowie pretty much redeemed himself after his long fallow period, McCartney is a sadly lost cause, ditto Elton John, the Rolling Stones, and too many others to mention. Then there are some who never hit the duldrums but keep putting out excellence through decades: David Byrne, Neil Young, Tom Waits. Kate doesn't quite make that grade for me -- "Sensual World" and "Red Shoes", while they have their moments, pale in comparison to the brilliance of all her preceding work. And now Aerial is right back up there in the same hallowed heights as the best of her pre-Sensual World material. Some reviewers say her sound hasn't changed, implying she hasn't kept up with the times. But Kate was never with the times -- despite her huge popularity, she carves a unique path and has inspired more than she has influenced, with the singular exception I'm aware of being early Tori Amos, which is great in its own way but still kind of Kate Lite. Aerial sounds exactly like Kate Bush and nothing else, and nothing else sounds like prime Kate Bush. Take all the time you need, Kate, before your next album, and I will await with all the patient devotion of the truly faithful, grateful for the granting of such divine grace whenever it comes.… Expand

An album of happiness, comfort and warmth with a nocturne as one of the highlights.

It's like saying hello to an old friend. Welcome back Kate Bush

Forget the therapist - listen to this. Stunning

Buying this album was best spending of money ever!!! Aerial is amazing album, great work of art and music. One of Bush's best.

Kate Bush is one of those rare artists who can only be judged by the standards they set for themselves. With Aerial she has reached for new heights of expression and every listen reveals additional layers and textures. There are few obvious hit singles but with epic songs as evocative as Sunset, Nocturn, and Aerial, who cares.

Leave it to the too cool for the school Pitchfork review to bring down the average, eh? This is pure art. Nothing else. Awesome. Beautiful. Spectacular. Get me my thesarus.

This is an absolutely stellar album. I am thrilled to have Kate back.

This is a masterpiece; only for those willing to open their ears... Thank you Kate! And you thought we might not remember you... The question is how can we ever forget you?

Perfect!

Kate's new album is a potent brew.

Her master work. That voice and piano...that voice and piano.

Aerial is another masterpiece from Kate and is comparable to Hounds of Love in it's imagination. The track Aerial is a total belter! Those reviewers criticising the album just don't get it; and they are poorer for that.

Kate is better than ever. As I have said in other reviews, Aerial is a shameless and glorious expression of adoration. Absolutely enchanting!

Some of the best music heard this year so far

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

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.

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!

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.

Sky of Honey is stunning. The best music created by Kate. 12 year wait well worth it.

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?

astounding

Well worth the wait.

How is it her music can still touch us this deeply after all of these years?

Incomparable.

She's always looked in rather than out, so it's always a stretch to follow where she goes. In this unexpected project her audacity and intelligence remain undiminished, and those who have gone too long without a Kate fix will not be disappointed. The work is a little too subdued for my taste as it fumbles around as prelude without hooks, but the final tracks have some zing, even the tracks where one may not Get It are undeniably unique, and the mixing has eliminated the fuzzy blending found in some of her previous albums to present crisp discernable instrumentation and lyrics. She has also made a studied effort to avoid her more strident quirky tendencies while still sharing her vulnerability. All in all, welcome back Kate, we have missed you.… Expand

Masterpiece!

Absolutely brilliant. Now I am rwady to wait another 12 years for another piece like this...

simply amazing. kate bush is truly one of a kind... and she's made me see that once again.

Most amazing album since 1985. The woman is a genius... really: she is.

What can you say? Beautiful album. Beautiful lady. Welcome back Kate.

Kate Bush is a genius and probably the most interesting artist over the past 2 decades. Aerial is the album of maturity and serenity. Welcome back Kate!

This is a masterpiece. Just beautiful.

It is wonderful to once again experience a new Kate album. After all these years away from the limeloight, Kate returns with another stellar classic.

Subtley GENIUS

It took a few listens to "get it'. As a mega KT fan I was initially put on the spot - it seemingly wasn't worth a 12 year wait! ...But after a few spins it really stuck with me. Hell, I even love the washing machine song!

Frankly speaking, I did not like it too much the first time I have listened. Yet, with every time I listened it sort of opened up more and more. It is so rich that it unfolds and unfolds and unfolds, presenting each time with more, even when you thought you have it all. Kate must be a real witch, there is an incredible amount of "force" in this album. She is a very wise and mature person in sense of understanding the world and stuff, too - her songs prove it. Practically all songs on this album are charged with very deep emotions, and some are so much, that you can not hold tears listening. In short, this is an amazing, incredible album, one of the real treasures I have pleasure to listen to, ever.… Expand

As a musician all i can say is, this is stunning!

oh dear. i was really looking forward to this, yet i seriously considered throwing it out of the window - that dreadful self indulgent rubbish about her son has the emotional depth of a hallmark greeting card. such a shame.

Kate is GREAT WORLD ARTIST.

I doubt that there is or ever was a musician as unique as Kate Bush.Her music takes me away to another world.Aerial is one of her best(The Dreaming is still,for me,the best album ever made at any time by any artist).Let's hope that she records another well before twelve more years have passed!

Amazing how beautiful Bush's music is without being very melodic. And if you like Tori Amos, give Aerial a chance.

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!

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

I got trapped under the ice on a lake once, so I like the spooky romance of Hounds better than this resigned merriness - still intensely interesting

We are so not worthy. Would have waited 50 years for this album, and it would have been worth it. Aerial is stunning. Joy and beauty on A Sky of Honey; 7 diamonds on a Sea of Honey. mesmerizing and tear-inducing.

A Glorius comeback, whilst not flawless A great record that needs to be heard. The second side is spellbinding.

My god, what a comeback. Every moment of the album is perfection. "How to be Invisible" is the catchiest song she's done since the HOL era, "Pi" makes numbers sexy, "Mrs. B" and "A Coral Room" show off Kate's piano ballads, and the entirety of the concept album is filled with lush, stunning arrangements. It's another fantastic album from a fantastic artist.

nice, yes, but considering her prior output this record is rather boring. the beats are reminiscent of cheap keyboard pre-sets. the vocals aren't interesting. the lyrics are atrocious on many of the songs.

She is a mental case and is trying to make music. Why do people like it? The words in her songs are so shocking, "King of the mountain" which is apparently about Elvis (he's never been king of the mountain, he probably couldn't have walked to the local shop). Mybe you need to understand the complex lyrics, and quite simply I don't and I don't want to. So Bad.

musica e poesia si fondono per dar voce a kate bush...un album meraviglioso ricco di sorprese e di tesori da scoprire

In an era of Bad Bushes - we get the Great Kate Bush back! What a pleasure; listening to Kate Bush is like reading a good book -

Stunning. A truly beautiful album. Thanks Kate.

Beauty, love, magic, emotion distillied into binary code, reproduce as if handling a priceless work of art -your stereo should be worthy - then be transported. The greatest recording ever made by a human(s) Thanks Kate

Kate is laughing up her her English garden-soiled sleeve. Her label should have shown her the Dana Carvey skit "Chopping Broccoli" before they let her release this. Come on, Ms Bush...who are you kidding?

Stunning! I have loved kate's music since 1978, she moves me like no other artist, and Aerial has the same effect on me. I wept the first time I heard Coral Room. And the joy in the Sky of Honey suite is equally emotionally. Everyone on this planet should buy this CD!

It's Fantastic. It should be listened to as a whole, not piece by piece.

Its a beautiful achievement from an artist who has been out of the public eye for so long. Some of the more electronic stuff sound a bit dated and contrived but the simple piano arrangements works wonders! Making it a double album actually makes sense even though the running time is just over 80 minutes...the two discs make perfect sense as complementary pieces of music.

Definitely worth every second we had to wait... about 400 million of them...

If you only buy one album this decade, it's gotta be Aerial. Do yourself a favour. : )

Sublime! I'll have to give it some more listening time, but as of now, I'll have to say this is Kate's best album yet. Definitely the highlight of 1995!

This album is a masterpiece of intense and touching music. She was, she is and she will be the best artist of the planet.

Wow... Just wow... Never heard of her before this. Usually takes a while for things to grow on me, but this is perhaps the most consistent album i've ever heard. There are no throwaway tracks, nothing to skip over... Just amazingingly beautiful music.

After 12 years of absence, Kate Bush moved my again with nice intimate songs.The only track which decived me is ..."King og the mountain".

I feel bad even giving it a 9 (!) a magnificent, ravishing, fresh & inspiring return, and easily the album of the year despite sounding completely out-of-time. It would be insta-classic whatever year it was released in frankly.

Aerial was worth the wait! This album is a triumph, and more importantly, a celebration of life. Music like this just isn't made anymore, thankfully, we still have Kate Bush.

Kate's back and has nothing to declare but her genius. Stunning album, comprising one disc of intimate songs mostly revolving around characters real, fictional and historical, and one disc of breathtaking sonic vistas depicting the tranistion from night into day, taking in flamenco, disco and the recurring motif of birdsong.

TRULY a MASTERPIECE!!!! Let's dare it: ALBUM OF THE YEAR (sorry Antony & Sufjan).The queen is back with such a class....

Brilliant. I waited 12 long years for this. Sky of Honey is a masterpiece.

Although her earlier 80's insanity will never unfortuneatley be repeated, I wouldn't expect it to. This is Kate Bush all grown up, still with her quirkiness, and equally as unique as she has always been. It was worth the 12 year wait!