Kate Bush’s video for “Lake Tahoe” is highly consistent with the remarkable album it was on, 50 Words for Snow. It’s heavy on imagery and barren landscapes, though this time led by shadow puppetry of all things. Bush told NPR that despite the video’s abbreviated running time, she intended the clip to be viewed as a complete work: “The video exists as a self-contained piece, it is called ‘Eider Falls at Lake Tahoe’. It has all been created in camera with shadow puppets, one of my favorite art forms because of its simplicity. It is something that I’ve wanted to do for years and it was great fun to make.”
NPR describes the video in full detail: “Her use of shadow puppetry matches song’s dreamlike quality. The stark contrast between the black figures and the white world makes each set piece seem mystical. The dog runs through phantasmagorical lands filled with spooky woods, looking for his owner. It’s beautiful in its simplicity — emphasizing small subtle movements over big extravagance. The elegant design of the puppets mixes fantasy elements like the moving trees with realistic pieces such as the soft sway of the woman’s hair.”
50 Words for Snow, our 18th best album of 2011, is out now on Anti- Records.
MP3: Kate Bush – Wuthering Heights
MP3: Kate Bush – Wild Man
