Search - Bush :: Golden State

Nirvana Who?

Goldfish Cracker | NC | 12/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You know, I always considered 16stone to be a great album. As a matter of fact, I shoplifted it when I was only eleven and listened to it solidly for six months. Its been a decade and now I usually pay for the cds, so perhaps i've moved back into the recording industry's good graces with adulthood, but who cares? Bush still rocks like no other.A few steps off the beaten path (Deconstructed, The Science of Things) never hurt a solid rock act like Bush, although they did push a few of their devotees away for awhile as they experimented with the electronic movement. Returning to the majesty of 16 and Razorblade, Bush has once again proven that they aren't cut-rate diluted Nirvana worms, but truly an original, pulse-racing, head-banging hard rock entity that has laid claim to the throne of the new world of Rock and Roll.At times speed metal quick, at others raspily heartfelt, Gavin never fails to confuse and inspire with his spaced out lyrics, making the stellar 'Head full of Ghosts' a hauntingly accurate pre-tribute to the 9/11 tragedy, and giving the absolutely fantastic 'Superman' a last-chance-to-cheat-death feel to it.As with 16stone, Golden State is fairly devoid of weak tracks, you can put this one on play and let it ride. 'The People That We Love' is a fantastic nu-rock anthem, 'Infatable' recreates 'Glycerine,' but with more heart and 'My Engine Is With You' is lent a cheap, lower east side barroom punk feel to keep your head bobbing and your heart racing.This album is a defiant statement by the all too often underestimated Bush, declaring that they are indeed the new royalty of rock. Do Not Pass on this album, Golden State is only the beginning."

Bush is Back!

John E. Chadwick | San Francisco, CA | 12/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was a big fan of "Sixteen Stone" and unlike many others, I simply LOVED the dark, brooding sound of the Steve Albini produced "Razorblade Suitcase". "The Science of Things" was a solid effort but it seemed to lack the passion of the first two albums.
Let me state, with absolutely NO uncertainty, that Bush is definately back. "Golden State" has everything you love about BUSH and then some. There are the radio friendly singles with the catchy choruses, the soulful ballad, and the full-on rocking songs.
The band is tight. Tighter than ever before. I have never noticed this before but the drumming is really an integral part of this CD. There is still that industrial sound that Bush seems to have gravitated towards but it simply fuels the English fire that is Bush.
After about 200 listens, I can honestly say that there is not a throwaway track to be found on this CD. Even my wife, who abhors hard rock has been heard to be humming "Land of the Living", "Solutions" and "Reasons" among others. The more you listen, the more subtle you realize this album actually is.
I cannot believe Gavin just got married as the lyrics, while not dark, definately do not sound like someone who is at peace with the world. Bush is exploring the same musical territory as they have always been, only this time it goes to new depths.
EVERY song is on the CD for a reason. For example, on the first couple of listens, I could have done without the repetitive "Hurricane". A few weeks later and it is my favorite song. It's not so much what Gavin is singing, it's HOW he presents it.
"My Engine is With You" is one of the heaviest, pure heavy rock numbers I have heard in years, while "Fugitive" and "Land of the Living" grow on me until I am singing them even after the CD has been taken out of my player.
For anyone who thought that BUSH had lost their edge, was washed up and ready to "phone it in", I ask you to buy this CD, right now, and then listen to it for a couple of weeks. If you do not appreciate it, email me. I honestly believe this is the best BUSH album released in years and one of the best of 2002. Trust me on this one."

Predictable, yet Solid Album

Dennis Szot | Dallas, TX | 10/30/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a Bush fan since the beginning -- I hail from the Sixteen Stone days. Each release, I hope to hear more radio-friendly quality that came out of that CD. By no means, however, do I want to hear the band release catchy songs with the sole intent on selling records. It is evident, after hearing what is on Razorblade Suitcase, The Chemicals Between Us, and now Golden State, that the songs on Sixteen Stone are not represenative of what Bush is now.Golden State is a strong album, however it is very predictable. It has several good songs, a few great songs, and no noticibly bad songs. One of my favorite songs, "Hurricane," isn't even mentioned in several of the reviews posted in magazines or on the Internet, which is surprising to me. It is catchy enough to become a single, while totally rocking out in true Bush fashion. The one weakness of this CD is that it draws from the same pool that Razorblade and Chemicals came from. Many songs sound similar, and for this reason, Golden State isn't an excellent album. It easily takes over the #2 spot in the Bush catalog for me though. Golden State has revived my waning interest in Bush."