Kate Bush - Cloudbusting (EMI)

Kate reminds me of those "astral" acquaintances I used to meet as a teenager on camping holidays - unusual, unpredictable but with a charm that always attracted me. Listen out for the stirring string section, an electric groove of Navajo red indian drums and some British pomp rock. I'm a fan. (Paul King, Smash Hits, October 23, 1985)

After the magnificent "Running Up That Hill", Kate returns with another dramatic breeze of a song. There's chugging strings, that soaring voice and a wonderfully evocative melody. Add to that a fascinating storyline video and you've got another massive hit. Music to swoon to ... (Karen Swayne, No 1, October 19, 1985)

Despite my dislike of the blind allegiance of Kate's followers - evidenced by contributions to the rm postbag - there's no denying her ability to make thoroughly stylistic, English sexy pop, and do it very well indeed. "Cloudbusting" may not be as instantly accessible as "Running Up That Hill", but it's an infuriatingly catchy bit of stringy nonsense nonetheless. Could be a hit! (Andy Strickland, Record Mirror, October 12, 1985)

Songs From Books: The ever-literary Kate was inspired by a 1973 memoir by Peter Reich, called A Book Of Dreams. Donald Sutherland played Reich's father, Wilhelm, in the video.

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (EMI)

Hello birds, hello trees, hello sky...
...Ms Bush may have her limitations as a lyricist but for every ounce of tweeness she lavishes on the words she supplies a greater amount of musical light and shade.
"Running Up That Hill" is one of her atmospheric epics, full of tension and controlled emotion.
A Monster hit beyond doubt. (Max Bell, No 1, August 10, 1985)

Now this is how to return in style! Yet more modern experimenting with pounding, percussive rhythms and electronic sounds, but with its melodic strength, intriguing lyrics, (about deals with God) and coolly restrained performance, this sounds not unlike Eurythmics before they went off the boil recently. It's definitely, what's the expression? Look, I'll come back to you on this one...
...provocative? Piquant? Tantalising...
...interesting? Yes, that's it, interesting! And therefore it must also be Single Of The Fortnight! Don't you just love a happy ending? (Ian Cranna, Smash Hits, August 14, 1985)

I may be the most narrow minded person in the world, but I can usually see other people's point of view. In this case I'm afraid I can't. Especially when it's written badly all over her back and shoulders. But the single's nice. (Damon Rochefort, Record Mirror, August 10, 1985)