It says a lot about an artist when their return to the media spotlight after a long absence is met by almost as much hype as before they went away.

And it says much more when that artist is a popstar who’s recording company is prepared to patiently wait over a decade for the next release.

Such is the case with Aerial, the new album by mysterious British songstress, Kate Bush who’s return after a 12 year hiatus has both the critics and die-hard fans buzzing with excitement.

And it would seem from first listen that it has been well worth the wait.

Aerial was written and recorded over 5 years in Bush’s home studio. It is an ambitous double CD split into two parts.

Part 1 - A Sea of Honey is a obtuse analysis of domestic contentment and features the first single King of the Mountain, as well as such interesting pieces as How to be Invisible, a ode to her son Bertie, and an interesting musical interpretation of the mathematical calculation Pi.

Part 2 - A Sky of Honey is a conceptual piece in nine parts, built around recurring motifs of light and birdsong (the album’s cover art, which seems to show a mountain range at sunset is in fact a waveform which represents birdsong), following a day from afternoon through dusk and night and on to sunrise.

The album ignores all current world pretentions by featuring an array of somewhat “unhip” artists such as Rolf Harris, Lol Creme (10CC), Gary Booker (Procol Harum), and Nick Kamen who completed his offerings shorty before his death in 2003. Also back is drummer Stuart Elliott who has appeared on every one of her albums.

In the gap since 1993’s The Red Shoes, the myth of Kate Bush has grown to extraordinary heights. Rumours that she had become a recluse, or suffered a breakdown and gone off into la la land have now finally been dismissed. In fact she has simply been doing nothing more peculiar than being a mother bringing up her son, and watching on while people made up nutty stories about her.

But don’t expect a world tour any time soon though as the reluctant popstar has agreed to only a handful of interviews for the new album prefering the music speak for itself.

Kate Bush has come a long way since she was discovered by Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and signed to EMI at the tender age of 16 and celebrating international success with Wuthering Heights.

But as the soothing etherial sounds of Aerial wash over you, one could be forgiven for thinking time has simply stood still.

Peter Shuttlewood is the author of webzine freshread which contains articles on Popular Culture with an Australian slant. freshread - the everyday in a fresh way.

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