Album Review: Gavin Rossdale - Wanderlust
To Gavin Rossdale,
It’s been a long time since you’ve actually released anything considered ‘relevant.’ That may sound like a harsh statement, but it’s certainly a truthful one. Between the last Bush record and now, which has been, believe it or not, eight years, you’ve thrown out a single (2002’s “Adrenaline” for that Vin Diesel film), you’ve started a horrible side project (2005’s lame Institute), and now this, your solo effort. To be honest, your only
success since then has been your child, Kingston.
But then again, that’s half of Gwen’s effort, too.
To be blunt, this is a horrible album, Mr. Rossdale. Double vocal tracks? Nickelback-like sing alongs? What the hell were you thinking? Have you been living under a rock? This music is a joke. There’s only a few I can even stomach enough to listen through all the way. With songs like “If You’re Not With Us You Are Against Us”, it’s a wonder how this ever made it through the record companies.
At least with Institute there were some songs to be salvaged. Hell, even “Adrenaline” had a few hooks. Here, you’re relying on your name (which has been out of the spotlight for nearly a decade) and your voice alone, which is slaughtered under the digital layering that you might consider “hip.” Your lyrics were once fascinating, probably because they made little to no sense, but that was okay. Now, you lack that mysterious punch that made “Letting The Cables Sleep” and “Warm Machine” so invigorating.
This doesn’t seem like an overnight thing, either. This laziness was apparent even on Institute, where some songs carried bullshit slogans like, “Walk fast through burning buildings/Kill youth with your easy listening.” Pardon my French, but what the fuck? And don’t get me started on the interpretations here, like the “atmospheric” clusterfuck of “Frontline”, which carries lyrics like “Standing on the frontline/Devil got me doing time”.
Wow. That deep, huh?
Even in the abysmal wasteland that is this solo effort, there is something to respect (albeit self deprecatingly). “The Trouble I’m In” reminds us why we’ve stuck around with the British loon all these years. It’s not much, but given the resulting album, it’s an improvement. Unfortunately, that’s about it.
So here’s what you do, Mr. Stefani. It’s obvious that your film career is going nowhere. Does anyone even remember 2005’s Constantine? Did this year’s The Bank Job make you a family name? No and no. And if my own bickering and negativity sold you on the notion that this solo career isn’t such a hot idea, then where does this leave you?
How about doing what everyone else is doing and start up the ol’ band again? Sure, it’s contrived, but hey, so is this. And to think, the market wants it, too! Stone Temple Pilots is going strong now. Both Blind Melon and Alice in Chains are rocking across the globe and their lead singers have been dead for nearly a decade. So, what’s stopping Bush?
It’s the logical thing to do now. This solo album? Beyond illogical. It’s asinine bordering on insane, actually. There’s no need to pursue this further than the few tour dates you have penciled in. If you can even cancel those, I’d recommend it.
Time to start making some calls, beginning with Nigel.
-A concerned fan
p.s. And to think, this was the planned Bush follow up! Yikes!
Rating: 
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i am listening to this cd right now, and i like it, i cant say that i love it yet. i listen to a lot of different styles of music and Bush was one of my favorites band of the nineties.NINETIES, but as you´ve already noticed this is 2009, people change, the way of writing changes as well, you can tell by listening to Chris Cornell Career, Gavin is telling us that he is back, and problably will produced a lot more things, that we might like or not, but he is still around
That was a pretty scathing review; I don’t think the album is quite as bad as you make it out to be. I agree that it is over-produced, it would have sounded better if it had been pared back a bit, but like a lot of people have said you cant really compare this album to his early work with Bush, it was a lifetime ago and people change. And as for his lyrics, check out Razorblade Suitcase and The Science of Things for some wacky lyrics, its not a new thing for him. The guy is a chronic stoner, that might have something to do with it
I really liked Love Remains the Same, This is Happiness and Beauty in the Beast.
It pains me to agree with this review.
But still, I love the guy and all he does. I will buy all his work and listening to him till the end of life. I will support him, no matter what he does. Even that dance/techno track he did recently was…no comment.
The review was harsh, but not incorrect. I’ve only spun the album once, so I know I may disagree with this review is a week or 2. These are just my initial reactions:
Overproduced, yes.
Plain, yes.
Catchy, no.
Fun, mildly.
Different and New, yes.
Lyrically weak, yes.
Random elements, too many.
Stand out tracks, none yet.
Wish it was much, much more bare, smokey, quite, slow, breathless, relaxing, YES!
I was so looking forward to an album full of ‘Letting The Cables Sleep, and ‘Out Of This World’. Or even more of ‘Can’t Stop The World’ feeling.
But hey, he did what he did on purpose! He didn’t want Bush music - he wanted his own. He wanted new fans. He wanted it for him, although he says it’s for us.
In time I know the album may amaze me, just for now, it’s a beautiful let down.
Sorry Gav, my words may change after the album sinks in…Never, EVER stop what you do!
I like all his relises. And if he relises not what you expected that doesn’t mean that this is shit
I beleive this album hits new fronts and its creative variations are what make it important. Starting with the overdriven “some days” which is very progressive and some of the critics compared to phil collins saying thats a bad thing. Your just insane if you think a phil collins comparison is a bad thing. Then moving onto sure some sappy stuff but ‘drive’ and ‘future world’ have there electrifying moments and the latter is extremely innovative, i love it. When i first listened to it i was scared because i was a huge bush fan. Like some others said move on people and enjoy it for what it is, and guaranteed you will find those gems, and in your case they are hidden, i guess your tonedeaf. Sure the album is overproduced but ive never heard gavins voice sound sound more cool.
Wanderlust…… rocks.
grow up everyone…. like Gavin has.
The songs are different now, different times, different lives.
Father of almost 2 kids now, perspective changes… Greedy Fly isn’t the way any more… Songs like Frontline are progressive, the album has a bit of a U2 sound to it. Explosive and his voice is flat out rock star. No one can question that.
I’m a huge Bush fan as well, Institute I felt was reaching a little to far in the past. This is Gavin, give this album a chance, I know music and this is a great album.
Not too mention, this is one guy that has always sounded better live, these tracks will come to life on stage. I hope he hits up Toronto, i’ll be there.
Peace.
Word. I have been a hardcore bush fan since 95, and I feel like I’ll always support the guys, whether through side bands or solo albums or whatever. But Wanderlust is exactly what I was dreading it would be, so I am so happy to see this review because it is dead on. I don’t think it’s mean so much as it is honest, and I appreciate how it’s obviously written by someone who at least understood what Bush was about, not just another brainless critic. Also, I love that you called out the Institute lyrics for the crap they are! “This boombox needs batteries”? Really?? A shame, cos that song was ace, musically.
Downloaded it. Listened to two songs. Deleted it all.
Enough said.
I’m probably the biggest Bush fan there ever was, I was completely and scary obsessed, especially with Gavin. I’ve met the band about 20 times, spent tons of money on memorabilia, shows, traveling to shows, etc. I even had a very popular website about them. Since Bush broke-up I have followed Gavin through his singles, movie roles and even Institute.
I was SO excited for this album but unfortunately, I pretty much agree with this review. You didn’t need to be SO mean but it’s all pretty much very true and some of the things that were said I thought word for word!
The first song is good but since it was the opening to a TV show first it’s kind of ruined for me. The only other ones I can listen to are Drive and Love Remains The Same. The beginning to This Is Happiness sounds exactly like the beginning of an Institute song, the song is pretty good until the chorus… then Gavin is yelling THIS IS HAPPINESS with background singers! It completely kills it and I can’t even listen to it after that!
I know Gavin wanted to slow down, grow up and do what he wants but I really don’t think he’s going to be successful with this album. I just hope Gavin and the boys realize that the bands of their time have come back and if they don’t come back soon that that window of opportunity might close.
Haha. “It’s an illusion Michael.”
Well I heard that some people thought it was preeettty cool.
Yep, the album sucks.
Well, he relies on his name to sell, and someone like me bought this so he’s doing something right.
I have yet to listen to it. I’m wondering if I even should.
Sorry you disagree, Matt. However, I’m not asking for a replica of the music 10+ years back… I’m asking for something of quality. This album is horrendous. It’s catchy? I’d disagree again, but also affirm that an album doesn’t sell me on if it’s catchy or not.
His voice, I’ll agree, usually does sell an album for me. But on this particular release, it comes off digitized and overblown, which is ironic given that I love Science of Things and that entire album is digitized almost. On here, it’s not even sleek, it’s just oversaturated.
And I’m an obsessive compulsive hypochondriac, so I doubt my heads where you say it is.
Have a good day.
not to mention, rossdale is a 42 year old man. you can not keep expecting him
to write teen angst songs like “everything zen,” and “little things” - those were recorded over 14 years ago.
flat out, the reviewer is a blind idiot
So wrong.
THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO SOUND LIKE BUSH!
It is a good album, catchy, and like most everything that rossdale does it is all on his voice.
How can you despise this album that much? I think you have your head stuck up your 1996, post grunge loving ass.
get out of grunge, it is beyond dead.
Sorry Wormfather, but this album is beyond terrible. I couldn’t believe how laughable the lyrics were.
Wow, just wow. I thought it was very “easy listening”, getting away from the edgey stuff that I loved. I was giving it a 78 out of 100.
Harsh, you made my toes cry.
great review! <3
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