HANNAH LUTEREK AND MATT TURNER
Specials to The Leader
For this installment of “Hannah and Matt on Music,” we wanted to review our favorite albums to cozy up to. So the next time it rains, be sure to bundle up with a blanket and grab a nice cup of tea while these albums are playing.
Matt’s Pick: “Hounds of Love” by Kate Bush
Matt’s Take: Not many albums pop into my head when the word “perfect” is brought up. After all, how can every song on an album be a masterpiece? Absolutely unheard of. One of the handful of albums that comes to mind for me in terms of perfection, though, is “Hounds of Love” by Kate Bush.
Her voice is so angelic that one would think it is coming down from the heavens. She carries such a wonderful vibe in and out of her music that one must think that she is too pure to be from this planet. She is absolute music perfection.
Enough about the queen known as Kate Bush; let’s move on to the album. “Hounds of Love” was an album that I discovered about two years ago in a Facebook group devoted to discussing music. Prior to this, I hadn’t even heard of Kate Bush. The album cover pulled me in instantly with Bush being spread on a bed whilst holding two puppies. It is such a simple album cover, but more often than not, that is what makes me gravitate toward checking out an album. It’s also how I discovered my favorite albums, “Spiderland” by Slint and “Loveless” by My Bloody Valentine.
The album cover screamed cozy to me, and I knew I had to check out Kate Bush. “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” is the ultimate album opener, as well as a primer into the artist’s discography. The track is expertly produced, with the use of synthesizer effects combined with Bush’s melodic voice becoming the stuff of legends.
Happily, the album doesn’t slouch after this. It keeps the listener engaged and makes them cling to every second that is given. I immediately had to relisten to the album after my revisit for this review. For me, that is the sign of a true masterpiece.
Three Standout Tracks: “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God),” “Cloudbusting” and “Waking the Witch.”
Overall Score: My first for “Hannah and Matt on Music,” 10/10
Hannah’s Take: If you don’t know Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God),” I’m very disappointed in you. It is, without a doubt, one of the greatest songs of the 80s, maybe even the entire 20th century.
With that being said, I’ve never gotten a chance to listen to “Hounds of Love” in full. The synth present throughout the record had me hooked. At this point, it’s no secret I’m a total sucker for synth, though. Bush’s voice is so consistently warm and comforting during each track that it’s no surprise why Matt chose this album with cozy days in mind. She brings a sense of safety that is rarely felt through music alone, and while I wouldn’t have thought that this album would be for cozy days before, I totally get it for now.
Be that as it may, I did find the record to be a little snooze-inducing from time to time. Tracks like “And Dream Of Sheep” are soothing enough to listen to before hitting the hay for the night. This is all well and good if your purpose in listening is to destress and calm down, but if you’re anything like me, you seek the energy of “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” in every listening experience you have.
The later moments of the album came through with the energy of that iconic first track, which made me a pretty happy listener. Despite the slower moments, Kate Bush really brought it with “Hounds of Love.” I wouldn’t expect anything less from one of the queens of the ‘80s.
Three Standout Tracks: “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God),” “Under Ice” and “Waking the Witch.”
Overall Score: 8.5/10
Hannah’s Pick: “Carrie & Lowell” by Sufjan Stevens
Matt’s Take: If “Hounds of Love” is sunshine on a rainy day, “Carrie & Lowell” is the darkest cloud in the sky. Please don’t let that sound like a harsh criticism, in fact the mood suits the album well. This mood also helped me see why Hannah would pick this album, since it really does feel like a rainy day album. Stevens’s vocals are so low-key and morose that they coldly envelop the listener in a blanket of sadness. It is truly powerful and very effective.
Like “Hounds of Love,” I have already listened to “Carrie & Lowell” before this review, but this relisten was definitely necessary. The out of place, snowy weather in April has been bringing about a feeling of nostalgia for the past springs in Fredonia during which students could tan on Dod’s Grove and longboard around campus. With the coronavirus and snow taking over, people are sure to yearn for the simpler times and “Carrie & Lowell” will just enhance that feeling of past glory. Sufjan Steven acts as a perfect yin to Kate Bush’s proverbial yang, and I highly encourage you to experience these two comfy albums as an emotional binge on the rainiest of days.
Three Standout Tracks: “Death with Dignity,” “Fourth of July” and “No Shade in the Shadow of The Cross.”
Overall Score: 9.5/10
Hannah’s Take: For too long, I lived my life without the joy and sadness Sufjan Stevens brings to the table. “Carrie & Lowell” is my favorite album of his, and one that I recommend to anyone wanting to get in their feels or simply jam out on a cozy day inside.
The first half of the album certainly outshines the second, but the emotional depth of the record as a whole will leave listeners reflecting on every sad moment of their life, if not downright crying.
Don’t let the titles of the tracks fool you; “Fourth of July” is not the tune to listen to if you’re hoping to get hyped up for summertime antics. Without spoiling the sad splendor of the lyrics, I’d say this one is better for reminiscing about the lives of those who came before you.
Fret not, though. There are a few moments of happiness scattered among the general despair of Stevens’ album, with “Death with Dignity” and “All of Me Wants All of You” being two of the best examples. While the lyrics are still sort of depressing, the music is eerily upbeat. In fact, it’s upbeat enough to make it on the hookup playlists of indie guys and gals across the nation.
While this week’s Kate Bush album is for sunshiny days and laughter, Stevens’ “Carrie & Lowell” is definitely for chilly days and yearning.
Three Standout Tracks: “Should Have Known Better,” “Drawn to the Blood” and “Fourth of July”
Overall Score: 9/10