Golden State
The good news: Bush haven't changed much since 1994, the year of their breakthrough hits "Everything Zen," "Machinehead," and Glycerin." The bad news: Bush haven't changed much since 1994. Still, fans of singer Gavin Rossdale's breathy, sexy, Bono-ish vocals will dig such songs as "Solutions," which finds the Brit foursome mining familiar musical and lyrical territory. While the album is not a revelation, it is a solid outing laced with cool contrasts, provided in part by the input and production of Dave Sardy (Marilyn Manson). From the melancholy "Headful of Ghosts" and the raw and rollicking "The People That We Love" to "Superman"--a lush, loose and expansive song, heavy on the metaphors--Golden Statesounds stellar. On the mellower tip, "Inflatable" is lovely, sexy, somnolent, and atmospheric, as is "Out of This World," with hollow-sounding, almost tribal drums, sitar sounds, and industrial tinges. Bush move easily into wilder territory with the raw, powerful guitars of "Fugitive"; the edgy, frenetic drums and techno touches that mark "Reasons"; and the unexpected punk fury of the two-and-a-half minute "My Engine Is with You." While Bush's fourth outing may not break new ground, thisGolden Stateis still planted onterra firma.--Katherine Turman