Bush - The Sea of Memories
The story of Bush's 90s success is quite a peculiar one, despite hailing from London (with the exception of 1996 mega hit 'Swallowed) the band never really connected with the UK crowd. However across the pond the band became household names regularly topping the charts and filling out enormo-domes all over the states. Despite their success 2002 saw the band call it a day as they went their separate ways with frontman Gavin Rossdale remaining the most prolific member releasing a solo album and forming new band Institute. Neither really took off though which has led to this reformation of Bush and the release of their new album "The Sea of Memories".
The Bush of 2011 is a very different proposition to the Bush of 90s fame. Now with two replacement members it could be the change in personnel or simply the lengthy absence but the band sound a lot more clean cut these days. "The Sea of Memories" sounds like an album written specifically with the intentions of bothering the US airwaves. Credit where credit's due though as this does lead to the album being full of melody and memorable moments. Be it the thumping 'I Believe In You' or the colossal chorus of 'The Afterlife'. Bush have delivered an album that is intent on trying to catch your attention.
However, while the band is trying so desperately to be accessible, their gritty post grunge sound that played a huge part in their original appeal has fallen by the wayside. Despite opening track 'The Mirror of the Sounds's electronic edge it never really gains momentum, while piano ballad 'All Night Doctors' sounds laboured and generic. It's a shame because the album has real potential with songs such as 'She's a Stallion', which could be an absolute stormer if those guitars were a bit more distorted. It's at moments like this you get the feeling the band are holding back, which results in toe tapping dad rock at best.
"The Sea of Memories" is in no way a disaster, it features some genuine highlights and when Bush do hit those peaks it feels great to have them back. Yet at the same time Bush don't build on this potential and it falls flat. While it is good in parts it's hard not to feel that if this was released in Bush's hay day it would be a much better listen and as such it is not as good as it could or should have been.