Review: Bush Release 10th LP, ‘I Beat Loneliness’ – A Strong Start But Turns Mellow Toward The 2nd Half

Bush has just released their 10th studio album, I Beat Loneliness and I have to say, after 2022’s monumental release The Art Of Survival, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m a touch disappointed with the new record. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a bad album but it feels like a bit of a step backwards. The Art Of Survival was just such a heavy, hard rocking album, amongst their best. When the Rock Chick turned me onto that album I went back and listened to The Kingdom (from 2020) and found that it was also a damn fine album. Bush seemed like they were on a roll like we haven’t seen since the mid-90s so my expectations were very high for this record, which is usually the kiss of death. And it does start out rocking, but the second half of the album is almost exclusively ballads. My first thought was this might be an issue of sequencing. But there are so many ballads it would have been hard to mix them into the harder rocking songs and maintain any momentum in terms of the overall album. I guess Bush decided to go with the old Rod Stewart formula of having a “fast side” and a “slow side.”

I’m like most folks, I got into Bush in the mid-90s when their fabulous debut album Sixteen Stone came out. Actually, there was so much similar sounding grunge coming out at the time that it wasn’t until I saw them live on that tour that the switch flipped and I became a fan. I wasn’t supposed to attend the show, I had to make an escape one day early a from Jamaican holiday after a harrowing week in paradise in order to attend… my buddy and I chose the wrong hotel. It was full of dudes with a nude beach. Drunk, naked dudes is not my idea of a fun vacation but to each their own. I actually did have a gentlemen approach me the first night of our stay and ask me if I wanted to sleep with his wife…I was so stunned by the question I had no idea what to say so I stammered, “Uh, no… well, which lady is your wife? Uh, no, I mean no.” Anyway, after seeing them live I went out and bought Sixteen Stone and I just loved that record.

I stuck with them through Razorblade Suitcase (1996), but the bloom was off the rose for me by 1999’s The Science Of Things. Bush, the original lineup, only lasted until 2001’s Golden State. Purportedly, original guitarist Nigel Pulsford didn’t want to tour any more. Bush remained on hiatus for ten years until 2011 when they reformed and released Sea Of Memories. The Rock Chick bought that album and I have to admit, I really liked it. The band eventually crystallized around original member Gavin Rossdale (guitar/vocals), with Chris Traynor (lead guitar), Corey Britz (bass), and Nik Hughes (drums). I thought the band had finally hit a groove swing with their last two records but maybe my expectations got away from me on this one.

I Beat Loneliness begins with a track, “Scars,” that had me immediately thinking, “This is no “Heavy Is The Ocean,”” the opener for the last record. “Heavy Is The Ocean” is one of Bush’s best tracks, ever. “Scars” is not a bad tune. It starts quiet and gets loud in a hurry. Every time I listen to it, it gets better. The title track is up next and it’s my favorite track on the album, the “pick of the litter,” if you will. It’s got a dirty riff and gets heavy, which is how I want my Bush. That’s followed by “Land Of Milk And Honey,” where Gavin sings, “I see stars when I fuck the system.” Indeed! It’s another strong rock track. The two tracks, “We’re All The Same On The Inside” (a great message) and “I Am Here To Save Your Life” are great, heavy tracks. Despite the heavy guitars Rossdale manages to give us soaring vocals that will sound great in your local stadium. On the latter he sings, “If you see Buddha kill him, if you see God, you’re tripping.” The rocking portion of the album continues through “60 Ways to Forget People” and “Love Me Till The Pain Fades.” At this point I’m thinking, another great, solid Bush album, maybe not the same heights as the previous two but not bad.

But then the second half of the album kicks in and it’s all ballad salad. And again, don’t get me wrong, each ballad taken by itself is a good song. But five slow songs in a row is a bit baffling. I shouldn’t say five ballads in a row as the penultimate song, “Footsteps In The Sand” brings back some of that hard rock energy. But “We Are Of This Earth,” “Everyone Is Broken,” “Don’t Be Afraid,” and “Rebel With A Cause” are all similar sounding ballads. When I saw these guys live on the Art Of Survival tour I really dug “Glycerine.” I don’t hate ballads. But after a couple in a row I can’t help but think, “Ok Bush, please rock me.” I don’t mind the ballads, there are just so many of them and I predominantly think of Bush as a hard rock band.

My expectations were so high for this new Bush album that there was probably no way they were going to exceed them. As I’ve said, expectations are tricky things. The first half of this album is an enjoyable rocking listen – I’ll always dig a band with two guitars, bass and drums. But the back end, while full of nice ballads is well… very mellow. You’ve got half a great record here but for me it pales in comparison to The Art Of Survival. I know Bush will be out on the road touring this album so it’ll be interesting to hear these guys stretch out these tracks live. This one is going to be one of those records I end up streaming instead of plunking down my hard earned cash for vinyl, and that makes me sad. Bush was a band I’d left for dead but then they started showing strong signs of life. Maybe next time we’ll get a little more rock n roll.

Cheers!