October 26, 2001
GOLDEN STATE
By DARRYL STERDAN

GOLDEN STATE
Bush
(Atlantic/Warner)

Kurt Cobain's been dead long enough that the irritatingly derivative Gavin Rossdale and Bush no longer come off as just another bunch of Nirvanabes. Not that it's much of an improvement - now, you see, they come off as dated retro-rockers who don't know when to quit. On Golden State, their fifth album, pretty-boy Gavin and his chums once again reproduce the strum 'n' clang of classic Seattle grunge, tempered by Rossdale's artsy ambitions and romantic streak.

Aside from one satisfyingly searing punky number (My Engine is With You) and a couple of mopey ballads (Inflatable and Out of This World) that suggest Rossdale has spent quality time with some Travis and Coldplay CDs, most of Golden State makes you wish Kurt would rise from the grave just to kick Gavin's bony little ass. Still, if Bush can hang in there for another decade until the inevitable grunge revival, they might reach a golden state yet.

Track Listing 1. Solutions
2. Head Of Ghosts
3. The People That We Love
4. Superman
5. Fugitive
6. Hurricane
7. Inflatable
8. Reasons
9. Land Of The Living
10. My Engine Is With You
11. Out Of This World
12. Float