Bush is definitely a different band than what they were 11 years ago when they last left us with 2001's Golden State. Their newest album, Sea of Memories, released in September of 2011, is also a completely different monster. Their sound is more mature and it shows through all aspects of this new record. There is less crunching in the guitars and less maniacal oscillating in the pitch. Its hard to take this album upfront without acknowledging the long history of Bush. Destined to be "just another post-grunge band," they've proven with this album that they're not content to be labeled in that category by reaching into the alternative rock atmosphere and bringing back some new tricks. I'm not going to BS my way through this review by trying to sound like a professional music reviewer, so yes, this will be mostly be an amateur critique as well as my thoughts on the album.
The opening songs The Mirror of the Signs, The Sound of Winter, and All My Life have lyrics similar to past Bush albums, while the audio shows that the band has matured not just musically but in life. With two new guitarists at the sides, they've settled down and are less teen angst and more "settled into a cubicle for a career." I can also best sum it as the day you finally looked past your awkward teenage years, accepted that life is life and that you have to push forward. This is music for that day.
I suppose this new-found maturity comes from the lead singer, Gavin Rossdale, having spent time doing solo work and attempting to grow musically. In the ten years since Bush's absence, Rossdale went on to form the short-lived (but one of my all-time favorite bands) Institute. There, the lyrics were still crazy, the guitars had a little less beef to them and it seemed Rossdale wasn't about to go forward in experimenting with a new sound. It was simply Bush with a different name. After Institute, Rossdale's solo career found him with only a few hits in "Adrenaline" (coming from the xXx movie soundtrack) and "Love Remains the Same." While his solo album WANDERlust was simply calmer Bush lyrics drenched in mild adult rock guitar harmonies, he couldn't escape his past and what the cult following of fans really wanted. Rossdale showed that he was willing to change the sound and presentation, but not the lyrics. If you're a fan of his nonsensical musings, then you'll feel right at home with Sea of Memories.
The other members are looking at the camera, but I bet Rossdale is only thinking of more weird lyrics.
If I were to pinpoint the highlights of the album it would be with The Sound of Winter and All My Life, where Rossdale's short verse singing and chorus-crooning coincides perfectly with the post-grunge guitars, crashing cymbals, and little post-production effort. The moment in the latter song where the music fades then hits with a guitar solo is definitely Bush's way of saying "Yeah, we've changed, but we still remember who we are."
The Afterlife takes the album one step further into the rock territory only to dip into the piano-backed All Night Doctors. Don't get me wrong: its a great slow song but for it to be stuck after four fast-paced songs is hard to ignore.
Baby Come Home is another rock ballad about missing someone and the emotions behind it. Typical if you've listened to any of the previous Bush albums besides their single releases.
The rest of the album picks up from their and takes you on a trip down memory lane where the only feeling you'll have is longing to listen to their past albums.
Sea of Memories is definitely a change. Unfortunately most people hate change. There are still hints of proverbial past regrets but for the most part Sea of Memories shows what happens when a band lets go of angst and decides to grow up. If you've been a fan of Bush in past decades, you'll find something new to listen to here. Unfortunately if you've only liked one or two songs from them, you might be turned off by the different presentations that each song offers and I would suggest only buying The Sound of Winter and All My Life. At the same time, it works well if you're a complete
newcomer to Bush's music. It has enough to it to make you want to listen til the end.
Lyrics: 3/5 This is the weakness, Rossdale sounds like he did before and the lyrics show little change. They're all over the place and make little sense. Its a trademark of Rossdale's but for once it would be nice if he ditched the poeticism and wrote a song like a story. I know he's capable of expanding that much.
Music: 4/5 Bush knows who they were and who they are now. The change is good. They show confidence in their sound but they're still a run-of-the-mill post-grunge band.
Presentation: 3/5 (This is the harsh part) The best part of the album is at the beginning but suddenly slows to rock ballads only to attempt to pick up again. Personally, I HATE when albums do this. You take me for a quick, fast ride then stop at the burger place for a bite for yourself only to take me back home to eat leftovers. What good is that? The slow songs would have been better left as the closing tracks. Also a little more post-production wouldn't have hurt, more variation in the guitar sounds, more definition in the drums.
Moods: Mellow to Rushed, Forlorn/Longing, Accomplished, Lonely
Overall: Give it a listen first.
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