English Fire or just a flicker? (The Science Of Things - Bush)

Member Name: Skrolk

Product:	The Science Of Things - Bush
Date:	06/04/01 (26 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some very powerful tracks,

Disadvantages: Some very mediocre tracks :)

I have a lot to say on this particular album. Having always had somewhat of a soft spot for Bush and their Nirvana-esque sound, it was with no great surprise that I found myself loving their latest effort with vigour. Their sound is somewhat consistent, through "Sixteen Stone and Razorblade Suitcase", there is no mistaking their sound for even an instant.

Perhaps lacking in diversity, then, but more than made up for by their consistency, their lead singer, Gavin Rossdale, ensures that their lyrical content is always powerful and biting. Bush have always had a very strong sound, sort of a british post-nirvana feel, and their stand out tracks are always of a particularly high quality.

The Science of Things, their latest studio CD, despite falling short of being a breakthrough, is a culmination of exceptionally strong tracks, perhaps falling a little short of the mark due to some weak inclusions and a few mediocre as well.

The album opens magnificently. From the opening chords, you know that 'Warm Machine' is going to be in your head for days. Indeed, it is probably the strongest track on the entire album, and as such is a superb way to open the proceedings. Fantastical lyrical content, jaw dropping guitar, a punchy, addictive bass line, it oozes class. The lead guitar, in particular, is noteworthy as this track has a supremely catchy chorus.

Leading on is 'Jesus Online'. Again, a very good track, addictive, well paced and energetic. A contrast between soft and heavy styles, with Gavin's strong lyrics thundering through. Upbeat and well written.

This track, in turn, leads onto the superior "The Chemicals Between Us". This track has gotten an awful lot of airplay, and quite rightly so. Magnificent use of guitar, distorted, catchy lyrics, a chorus to die for. It all blends together superbly. I challenge ~anyone~ to listen to this track and dislike. A particularly strong and intense song,
with clever guitar solos, vocoders, heavy riffs and unusual effects, it really does have a lot going for it.

English Fire, on the other hand, isn't anywhere near as good. Annoying overlapping lyrics, a neverchanging two-riff tune in continuous repetition, it's quite a weak track and throwaway in content.

Space Travel opens interestingly, with a unusual, pretty strong riff, and is an endearing culmination of very loud and soft guitar playing, against a wall of varying background instrumentation. There is a lot of experimentation here, but it's easy on the ear, and as a whole, sounds very complete and together. I rather like this one.

40 Miles from the sun has an intriguing opening, and is a very soft, likeable ballad, with Gavin's deep, almost growly lyrics resonating throughout the proceedings. Not a stand out track, but unlikely to offend either.

Prizefighter is such a typical Bush inclusion, that it'll probably just wash over you. A nice, bouncy, harmless track, with nothing to really recommend or damn it. Mediocre is probably the best word to describe.

The disease of the dancing cats starts with a barrage of noise, before softening out to allow Mr Rossdale's softly spoken lyric to dominate proceedings, over a lightly strummed guitar interlude, before another barrage of overly loud guitar. The song tends to alternate between the two styles, and it all tends to work quite well. Not likely to start any 'fires' in the musical world, but unlikely to earn them any enemies either.

Altered States starts with a foreboding, futuristic science-fiction style opening, before culminating with a catchy repetive guitar riff. Not a bad song by any means, with a lot of varying ideas, but again, not likely to set the world alight.

In contrast, Dead Meat is a very interesting track. A glorious, pretty introduction, with Gavin languishing around the lyric "You're dead meat, you
9;re dead meat...." in repetition. The content of this song is dubious, catchy, and eye opening. The true mystery is what Gavin is trying to potray with his confused tortured lyric, but it made me sit up and take notice.

Letting the Cables sleep, the second to last track on the CD, is glorious. There are just not enough positive adjectives to describe this track. It is beautiful, magnicent, and epic. There are so many good ideas in this song, Gavin has never sounded so tortured, and the violins, twisted electronica and superior guitars gel together to create something really special. The real standout track on the CD, it is easy to forgive the more mediocre efforts, hearing this masterpiece.

Mindchanger sounds poor in comparison, and perhaps should not have been the first choice to close the album with. To be fair, it is a perfectly good track in its own right, with power-guitar and evil strumming, it is a power ballad in every sense of the word, with a lot of powerful ideas. But it can't hold a candle to the unfeasibly superb song it proceeds.

In summary, this is a confusing album, with superb tracks (Letting the Cables Sleep, The Chemicals Between Us), Very good attempts (Jesus Online, Space Travel) and a few mediocre and really dire attempts (English Fire, Prizefighter). It is difficult for me to appraise this album, but I've tried to be as honest as possible. In terms of the standout tracks, you won't hear much better, but some of the 'filler' tracks really don't make the grade.

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