I admit it; I like Bush. Yes, you can take that in whatever manner you'd like. They've been consistently lambasted by critics as a Nirvana rip-off, led by a pretty boy with much better looks than songwriting ability. Regardless, one can't deny they've released some pretty good hooks and Gavin Rossdale does have a rather distinct voice. Call them my guilty pleasure from the '90s. Well, following a ten year hiatus, Bush reformed in 2011, releasing "The Sea of Memories." Between that and their two successive records, "The Man on the Run" and "Black and White Rainbows," it still felt as though the new lineup was attempting to find their sound. The three albums came across as almost a hybrid of Bush's old sound and Rossdale's solo pop record. While some catchy songs were present in all three, none rose to the level of the original lineup's four albums. With producer Tyler Bates teaming up with the band for their fourth album since reforming, would they finally find their groove again and be able to compete with the likes of "The Science of Things," "Razorblade Suitcase," "Golden State," or even "Sixteen Stone?" Let's find out, shall we?
1) "Flowers On a Grave" (7.75/10): We get an immediate feel for which direction the band has decided to go - hard. This is the heaviest song the band has released since their 2001 record, "Golden State." Catchy, succinct, and a good start.
2) "The Kingdom" (8.5/10): ...and this is the heaviest song I've heard from the band since "Flowers On a Grave." The opening riff is reminiscent of Sixx: A.M.'s "Life Is Beautiful." Rossdale and company are sounding more fresh and motivated than I've heard in a while. I'm excited to hear what's next.
3) "Bullet Holes" (8.25/10): A bit of a teaser riff to start the song, with an interesting beat. Rossdale sings in an almost spoken manner in the verses, before letting loose in the dark and rocking chorus. I can see why this song was chosen to be part of the "John Wick 3" soundtrack. The last time Bush went this dark, they were dressed as Grim Reapers in blackface. The song closes with a brief, but pretty kick-ass solo. Another solid effort.
4) "Ghosts in the Machine" (7.25/10): Starts a bit more mid-tempo than the first three tracks, before kicking things up a gear (a few gears) for the chorus. I'm digging the guitar work. This is by far the strongest first third of an album from the band since the aforementioned "Golden State," nearly 20 years ago.
5) "Blood River" (10/10): An almost metal-esque riff at the outset, before an earth-shattering chorus. I'm not sure I've heard such a goosebump-inducing chorus from Bush before - hauntingly beautiful. Rossdale's prose at the end is powerful as well. Awesome guitar work throughout. Bush really outdid themselves with this one. I think this now eclipses "Comedown" for my favorite song by the band. Well done, guys, bigly!
6) "Quicksand" (8/10): A nice change of pace from the previous banger - as it's a mid-tempo rocker, with a feel that things could pick up at any moment. Nice, smooth transition from verse to chorus. Not as memorable as "Blood River," but then again, what is?
7) "Send in the Clowns" (10/10): Okay, so to answer that last question? This. It starts with an almost 90s-punk beat and riff, before yet another goosebump-inducing chorus. What the hell is going on here? In just a matter of 15 minutes, "Comedown" goes from #1 in my Bush song rankings to #3. Catchiest song of the album so far. Great solo at the end too.
8) "Undone" (6.5/10): We've finally reached THAT point, ladies and gentlemen - the first slow song of the album. The song is pleasant enough by itself, but after hearing seven rocking tracks, it feels kinda out of place. While I don't think it detracts from the quality of the music on the album, it disrupts the flow a bit. Decent song, but probably my least favorite of the eight thus far. It comes across as more of an improved Rossdale solo number than a Bush-Bates collection.
9) "Our Time Will Come" (9/10): Eh, Alice in Chains, anyone? The start of this song seriously sounds like it derived from a remastered version of "Dirt." The song moves away from that some in the chorus. Regardless, like "Dirt," it rocks. It also features arguably the best guitar solo on the album. If you dig classic Alice in Chains, you will dig this tune.
10) "Crossroads" (6/10): Why am I immediately thinking Bone, Thugz, 'N' Harmony is about to start playing? Okay, so it's not THAT song. Catchy open - another '90s punk-rock intro. The change-up to the chorus is slightly underwhelming. It almost feels like two different songs. Not a bad song. There are some good points - mainly the verses, but it doesn't feel complete to me, like something is missing.
11) "Words Are Not Impediments" (4.5/10): Speaking of which, this song falls into that same trap, to an even worse degree. The verses come across like a song from "Man On the Run," while the chorus sounds like an angry man in the kitchen, shouting, "Hey, hey, where is my sandwich?!?" Definitely my least favorite song on the album. This is the only automatic skip thus far.
12) "Falling Away" (6.75/10): A good, dark, catchy groove to start - picking back up where "Our Time Will Come" left off. Things slow down a bit in the chorus, but in a more flowing fashion than the previous pair of songs. There is an ill-advised switch before the final chorus, but all in all, it's a strong number to close the album.
Total: 77.1 (92.5/120): Bloody Kick Ass
Conclusion: This is by far and away the best Bush album since they reformed, and it may even contend with the likes of "Sixteen Stone" for the best album since the band's inception 26 years ago (yes, I feel old reading that too). "The Kingdom" may lack a ballad the likes of "Glycerine," but more than makes up for it with some rocking numbers - including two of the very best tunes in the entire Bush catalogue, in "Blood River" and "Send in the Clowns." It'll be interesting to see where Bush goes from here. Based on this effort, I personally hope they stick with Tyler Bates and discover what can come of a sophomore effort from the tandem.
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