User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

50 Words for Snow
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
50 Words for Snow Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 96 Ratings

  • Summary: Kate Bush's first new album in six years is influenced by snow and features Stephen Fry, Elton John , and Andy Fairweather Low as guest musicians.

Top Track

Snowed In At Wheeler Street
Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you but don't I know you? There's just something about you. Haven't we met before? We've been in love forever. When we... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. NOW Magazine
    Nov 29, 2011
    100
    One of the year's most imaginative albums.
  2. The Guardian
    Nov 17, 2011
    100
    50 Words for Snow is extraordinary business as usual for Bush, meaning it's packed with the kind of ideas you can't imagine anyone else in rock having.
  3. The Quietus
    Nov 21, 2011
    90
    50 Words for Snow is undoubtedly whimsical, but it's played and arranged so exquisitely that even the most po-faced should be able to acknowledge the scale of its achievement.
  4. Uncut
    Nov 23, 2011
    80
    From austere, absurd materials, the cumulative effect is remarkable. [Dec 2011, p.76]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. PopMatters
    Dec 8, 2011
    80
    A remarkably delicate, often meandering (though never purposeless) song cycle revolving around snow, imagination and longing, set to rich, spiraling piano compositions and deep open spaces.
  6. Chicago Tribune
    Nov 21, 2011
    75
    The singer does a lot of luxuriating on her 10th album; 50 Words for Snow spreads seven songs over 65 leisurely minutes, her multi-octave voice and piano mostly at the forefront.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Nov 21, 2011
    60
    This album is rather better when it is winking at you, rather than seeking to cryogenically preserve emotion.

See all 35 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. tampr
    Apr 4, 2012
    10
    What an amazing album! Mysterious and enchanting, melancholy tunes that seem straight out of a 1960's movie soundtrack. The best album of theWhat an amazing album! Mysterious and enchanting, melancholy tunes that seem straight out of a 1960's movie soundtrack. The best album of the year, a true CinemaScope gem.… Expand
  2. ctripathy
    Jan 5, 2012
    10
    Maybe it is not her most accessible work, but still easy to praise. In other words: you like it or you hate.
    I am still in love with the album    Maybe it is not her most accessible work, but still easy to praise. In other words: you like it or you hate.
    I am still in love with the album and her mastery of her genre and her ability to create something that arouses great emotion and imagery, which to the extent that her music creates is rare. Amazing.    … Expand
  4. Apart
    Nov 21, 2011
    10
    Among the best releases this year. Kate Bush is a legend, so no one was expecting something bad, but this album goes beyond expectations, it'sAmong the best releases this year. Kate Bush is a legend, so no one was expecting something bad, but this album goes beyond expectations, it's not just beautiful music, it's art, it's winter, it's love.… Expand
  5. toronyc
    Nov 21, 2013
    10
    Brilliant, meditative and nuanced only the way Kate Bush can. Is there anyone else that produces new material that are this unique yetBrilliant, meditative and nuanced only the way Kate Bush can. Is there anyone else that produces new material that are this unique yet accessible. Even her once-brilliant contemporaries David Bowie and Peter Gabriel seem to be re-hashing old stuff these days.… Expand
  6. curdey
    Nov 21, 2011
    10
    Hands-down, 50 Words For Snow is THE album of 2011 - not your typical album by any standards, each song tells a story with the linking themeHands-down, 50 Words For Snow is THE album of 2011 - not your typical album by any standards, each song tells a story with the linking theme of snow. This is not pop, this is art, and Kate Bush has created another masterpiece on par with her other masterpieces Aerial, Hounds Of Love, The Sensual World and The Kick Inside. If you haven't started listening to music's true genius now, I strongly suggest starting now with the magic that is 50 Words For Snow.… Collapse
  7. listener
    Nov 26, 2011
    10
    Easily the best album I heard this year-the only thing I don't like is somehow bombastic and over dramatic Elton John's guest performance butEasily the best album I heard this year-the only thing I don't like is somehow bombastic and over dramatic Elton John's guest performance but everything else is pure art of the highest quality possible.… Expand
  8. Tintent
    Nov 25, 2011
    2
    Kate is a legend. I desperately wanted to like this. As hard as I tried, I just couldn't identify with this world. To me it paints a pictureKate is a legend. I desperately wanted to like this. As hard as I tried, I just couldn't identify with this world. To me it paints a picture of winter as seen from the window of a warm country house somewhere in the south of England. An isolated view, insulated from reality. Too serious, too introspective and taking romance to absurdity. Definitely one for those who loose track of time as they stare endlessly into space. I could have done with a blizzard or two.… Expand

See all 23 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2011, Music

    The Best Albums of 2011

    The Best Albums of 2011 Image
    Published: December 30, 2011
    We reveal our official list of the best-reviewed albums of 2011. Plus, get links to stream virtually all of our top albums, find out which LPs our users preferred, and see which 2011 releases scored the lowest with critics.
    More »
  2. Music

    November's Best New Music

    November's Best New Music Image
    Published: November 30, 2011
    This month's best new albums include the latest from Kate Bush and Drake, the debut from Sepalcure, and more. Get the full list inside, where you can find out more about each LP, listen to a track from each one, and get links to stream the full albums at Spotify.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best Album of 2011
52
#52 Most Discussed Album of 2011
80
#80 Most Shared Album of 2011

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
All Current Music »