Bush's grunge-by-the-numbers is certainly well-produced. Under the guidance of Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley -- the kings of early-'80s British pop -- Bush turn in an album that follows all the rules and sounds of American hard rock, specifically Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Their songwriting isn't terribly original, nor is it particularly catchy. What makes "Everything Zen" and "Little Things" memorable is the exact reproduction of all of Nirvana's trademarks, only with a more professional execution. In other words, all the guitars keep rhythm perfectly and Gavin Rossdale doesn't shred his throat when he sings, he projects from his diaphragm. As far as pop craftmanship goes, it's actually quite impressive. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Obviously this guy shouldn't be "reviewing" this kind of music, as he clearly dosn't care for it, & his comments are WAY off mark for any kind of true description...
I see at least seven singles from this album just by looking at it. Maybe more but I'm too lazy to check it out. Review is a little nuts to say there's nothing catchy here. You can't release 7 singles if they aren't catchy. Maybe you can get away with one or two, but come on. Seriously. The base hook/riff of "machinehead" has been played at about every major sporting event with a PA for at least a decade now.
There are just a lot of people out there that still and always will resent the grunge scene. This reviewer obviously is one of those people. I never really considered Bush grunge. To tell you the truth I wish that term didn't exist. It is silly to lump music into genre's. Good music is good music, period. This album gave us some really good music no matter what it's influences or motives were. I still listen to it from time to time.
Wow this critic guy hates music. Even if what he says is true, um duh everything sounds better than Nirvana. That was the point of early grunge. Not original song writing??? Wow...
I don't know what Erlewin is talking about when he says the songs are not catchy. "Sixteen Stone" produced more hit songs than any other grunge album except maybe "Nevermind."
Erlewin's description is ridiculous. "Grunge by the numbers?" seriously? "Comedown" alone invalidates his entire review. This is easily one of the best albums of the '90s, regardless of genre.
Seriously, I listened to this band more than I did Nirvana! Granted there are some similarities between the two, but Bush has the upper hand when it comes to this album.
Stephen Thomas Erlewine is an azz. He's either mad about the 80s glam metal scene being brought down or lost his daughter to a grunge rock band. His reviews should be removed from Pandora.
Machinehead is great! Awesome song, yet some of their newer ones don't have as much kick as they used to. Great album, glycerine's good too, and the opening song, Everything Zen, is awesome. Great band, great music, awesome sound and lyrics.
i disagree with this review. 5 singles on one CD not to mention its their first album. most all their songs are catchy. i mean, they have me singing along with them. and being catchy isn't everything. and they really aren't a rip-off of nirvana they just came up at the same time period while bush look up to nirvana so obviously they are going to sound alike.
The guy that wrote that review is a dusch bag i dont know to many rock fans no matter the genre they prefer that cant sing along with Bush!How do you say there a by the numbers band but here it is 10 years later and kids still rock it by the numbers my A$$