There are occasions when the level of expectation is almost too much, the hype so great, leading up to the release of a particular album that you're convinced that when it comes to it, when you've got it there, in your machine, PC, iPod, whatever, you can only be disappointed. Bitterly disappointed.

Such expectation has accompanied the build up to the release of Kate Bush's first album in 12 years. UFOs were observed more than any sign a new KB longplayer was on the cards. Indeed a novel had been written around the lack of material from south London's most unique diva who sprang onto the scene in 1978 with her first album, The Kick Inside. Deemed a recluse - rather than the perfectly ordinary woman who was a songwriter and singer but who just happened to want to spend time with her partner and child and do the washing - news that an album was forthcoming was put on a similar level of credibility to that of Big Foot sightings.

So when Aerial finally saw the light of day had we cause to be disappointed or to rejoice? The answer is most certainly the latter. Aerial is an unmitigated joy from start - with an upbeat homage to Elvis Presley in King Of The Mountain - to finish, with the ethereal and haunting An Architect's Dream and equally esoteric Somewhere In Between and closing title track.

A double disc set, the second is the more moving, more obvious Bush material. Her voice still has echoes of the high-pitched caterwauling that you either loved or loathed in her previous, earlier work. But there is now a maturity to her vocal style that hints at the older woman she has obviously become.

Whether she tours this album is debatable; she probably won't. Indeed the chances are the only opportunity you'll get of hearing these songs is by buying this record. So what are you waiting for?