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Review Summary: Possessing a surprising authenticity and emotional resonance, Gavin returns with an album of introspection and vulnerability. While longtime fans may disagree, I don’t feel like Bush even tried to establish their own sound until the release of The Kingdom in 2020—a full twenty-six years after the release of their debut album. Prior to that, it felt like the band were always chasing the latest musical trend. Whether it was the alternative rock of their early material, the electronic elements implemented during the brief “electronica” fad, or the more modern rock approach of their ‘comeback’ releases, it always felt like the band were on the tail-end of whatever was currently popular in rock. However, The Kingdom and The Art of Survival changed that perception. These two releases showcased a sound that adeptly blended mainstream songwriting with a grittier overall approach, and mostly it worked. I Beat Loneliness continues that trend towards a more unique sound while evolving away from the grit of the previous two albums.
Departing from the heavier lumbering approach of The Art of Survival – an album that may prove to be their most accomplished work – I Beat Loneliness delivers a collection of introspective and atmospheric electronics-laden alternative metal that confronts themes of loneliness, alienation, and regret with a palpable authenticity. These themes benefit from the band’s use of modern riffs and melancholic leads over an abundant undercurrent of electronics, providing a sense of isolation and melancholy. Through “Love Me till the Pain Fades,” these themes are masked by the band’s use of an engaging and energetic sound, allowing for a more passive listening experience, but the entire feel changes beginning with “We Are of This Earth.” From this point, Bush moves to a more atmospheric and subdued approach that reduces the modern metal influences in favor of additional electronics and an emphasis on emotional connection over accessibility. It’s during this section that Bush delivers the perfect collection of everything they had been working towards on the album. “Don’t Be Afraid” uses a clean echoing guitar melody over a rhythmic beat, a smooth bass and synth undercurrent, and some of Gavin’s most expressive vocals to hit I Beat Loneliness’s formula perfectly.
In the nineties, Bush felt like one of those bands that would fade away as soon as the scene they were chasing died, but that didn’t happen. Instead, they continued reinventing themselves (even if that just meant chasing new fads), eventually stumbling onto a sound that could almost be called their own. I Beat Loneliness continues their evolution, delivering an electronics-infused alternative metal sound that evolves into a melancholic and atmospheric catharsis that possesses a surprising authenticity and emotional resonance. With three consistently strong releases, it’s becoming evident that Bush has finally abandoned the pursuit of trends, instead embracing a direction that feels more genuine and natural, resulting in one of their most compelling albums to date.
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Album Rating: 3.3 | Sound Off
Enjoying Bush albums was not something I ever had on my musical Bingo card from back in the day
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Bush's first run always had an established sound to me, but much of that was due to Nigel. Lots of the identity left when he did. Perhaps they've been slowly mending that.
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Great review, may check this because the description of the album ticks all the boxes about what I want from alt rock/metal.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
One of the most underrated bands for me and one of the most beaten from the press. The first run for me had identity, Science Of Things is one of my favorite records, but the comeback was messy yes. Some of the b sides better than the songs of the records, Ghost and the year of danger or Let yourself go. But yes The Kingdom was a turning point and The Art of Survival being the best since the comeback, if not top three.
For this at first i struggled but slowly won me and then i appreciated the second half being this lo fi, almost at the point of shoegaze. It sounds almost as a transitional recorcd.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
There is melancholy in some of the tracks that i didnt expect like the synth at we are the same on the inside or 60 ways and love till the pain fades. Also i like that his voice is deeper nowdays and how he uses it without pushing it.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
This was decent, but I definitely liked Art of Survival more
| | | Album Rating: 3.3 | Sound Off
--Bush's first run always had an established sound to me, but much of that was due to Nigel. Lots of the identity left when he did. Perhaps they've been slowly mending that.--
They did, it was just the same sound as everyone else, IMO. There's songs I enjoy from that era, but I wouldn't call them original.
--Great review, may check this because the description of the album ticks all the boxes about what I want from alt rock/metal.--
I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts if you get to this.
--One of the most underrated bands for me and one of the most beaten from the press. The first run for me had identity, Science Of Things is one of my favorite records, but the comeback was messy yes.--
I think they were beaten by the press because they were seen as a fake Nirvana clone, and Gavin was a 'pretty boy' (who got Gwen Steffanni, so who had the last laught there?). I liked Science of Things. It's easily my favorite album of their's from the original era, but it was also another obvious following of the trends.
--For this at first i struggled but slowly won me and then i appreciated the second half being this lo fi, almost at the point of shoegaze. It sounds almost as a transitional recorcd.
There is melancholy in some of the tracks that i didnt expect like the synth at we are the same on the inside or 60 ways and love till the pain fades. Also i like that his voice is deeper nowdays and how he uses it without pushing it.--
I would be okay if the next album fully embraces the kind of stuff they were doing on the back-half of this one. Like I said, “Don’t Be Afraid” is easily my favorite song of their's ever.
--This was decent, but I definitely liked Art of Survival more-
Same, but I would obviously call this one more than decent.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I always thought that the first 4 records sounded different from each other. And i was curious where would their sound go after Golden State, an unfairly scorned record. His project Institute was not bad for what it was and i still think they had potential if they gave themselves more time.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Nigel was a great guitar player. Live was where he shined best. Shame that he vanished after his departure from the band. That said i think Bush have aged just fine if not better than other 90's acts.
| | | Album Rating: 3.3 | Sound Off
I think we're coming from two different places for this band, too, which kind of influences our thoughts on them. I was never a fan of the band, and never really liked them in their prime (The Science of Things was good, but not essential IMO). I liked them even less when they came back on the scene in 2011. It wasn't until the last album, really, that I actually enjoyed and appreciated something they were doing.
So, their first four albums might have been different from each other, but I never really felt like they were different from the prevailing trends of the time (and definitely not as good as similar releases). As for live, I've never bothered so I have no idea how they are (or were) live.
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I'll give you Razorblade Suitcase as trying to sound like the times, but the same sound as everyone else on the other three? I would disagree.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I think we're coming from two different places for this band, too, which kind of influences our thoughts on them.
Yeah, but even me being a fan, i know how weird this sounds but i always liked an underdog, i acknowledge they were not essential but i would say that Razorblade Suitcase being produced by Albini was a huge punk off to everybody and the record was, at least for me, more bruised than abrasive with some cuts more esoteric, mouth, communicator, distant voices.
As for the others, Golden State was released at the height of nu metal popularity and their sound was as far as possible from that.
Even if i try not to give them that much credit, i grew up with them so they occupie a very soft spot in me.
As for live here is an audio,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlIyOYuHoLo&list=RDJlIyOYuHoLo&start_radio=1
and a video,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-5DElahuNo&list=RDq-5DElahuNo&start_radio=1&t=155s.
If you have some time to waste and you want to check out
| | | Album Rating: 3.3 | Sound Off
i acknowledge they were not essential but i would say that Razorblade Suitcase being produced by Albini was a huge punk off to everybody
Steve Albini was a media darling by the time Bush used him. He had already produced everything from The Pixies, Hum, and Fugazi all the way to Murder Inc... oh yeah, and a little band called Nirvana. Bush using Steve shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone, and Razorblade felt like a direct reaction to In Utero, to me.
As for Golden State, I think the band sticking to the alt rock sound was less them sticking to their guns and not following trends, and more them not knowing what to do with nu metal. I grew up in their era too, so I only can give mine and my friends' anecdotal thoughts on the band at the time.
Thank you for the links. I'll check them out, because you do have me curious about how they sound live.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
The vocals are a tough sell on this
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Great review of a surprisingly good album. !!!!!!
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only ever heard the first three, yes as you say they seemed to be chasing trends, did it quite well though
| | | Album Rating: 3.3 | Sound Off
They definitely had a huge following. I doubt Gavin is still doing Bush albums because he needs the money, that's for sure. Maybe that's why they're finally kind of doing their own unique-ish thing now.
If you're ever feeling adventurous, check out The Art of Survival to hear how far they've come since those first three.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
So uh...i havent absorbed every track....but uh....there are 5 songs on here that are 6/10 and i cant get off them
| | | Album Rating: 3.3 | Sound Off
Don't Be Afraid is the best song they've ever written, and one of my favorite songs of the year.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@Willie, how come you made a soundoff for this since you already did the review? Also did you have the time to check them live or not yet?
I was so glad that they scored a hit with LOMAH. I'm waiting now for the deluxe version which i believe they will drop just before their australian tour early next year.
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