Bush's musical state not golden

Bush was a nice novelty act about six years ago when the band released its first album, Sixteen Stone. On its fourth album, Golden State, the band hasn't changed much. Relying solely on the boyish good looks of lead singer Gavin Rossdale, the novelty act has worn off. In the years since its first album, Bush has gone nowhere musically, and Rossdale's awful songwriting has only gotten worse.\nOn the plus side, Golden State isn't a terrible album. If you prefer the sensitive, pop sound of Bush, this album will fit perfectly into your record collection. But, when compared to other U.K. bands such as Oasis, Manic Street Preachers and Radiohead, Bush sinks to the bottom of list talent-wise.\nThe album's opening track, "Solutions," harkens back to the hit "Greedy Fly" off the band's second album, Razorblade Suitcase. This suggests Bush hasn't forgotten its history and is eagerly attempting to get back into the spotlight. Or, this could suggest that the band's level of musical growth over two albums has in fact been zero.\nWhile Golden State doesn't break any ground musically, it does contain much less of the sensitive ballads that have made the band famous. With the exception of the notable softness of "Inflatable" and "Out of this World," the album has a heavier feel, more in the lines of "Everything Zen" from Sixteen Stone. This is a delightful change of pace from a band who has a long tradition of releasing slow, sensitive songs to focus around Rossdale's sensual image. \nWhile Golden State isn't a complete waste, there isn't a whole lot of good on this record, either. In the end, it falls short of being a good record. While some might find this album refreshing, in reality it is another sad chapter in Bush's history.