By Ed Condran
It’s not easy to come back in the rock world, and it’s hardly a breeze to change opinion. However, Bush and singer-songwriter and frontman Gavin Rossdale managed to accomplish both feats. The veteran British band’s latest album, the aptly titled “The Art of Survival,” is a surprising and vital project that recalls the group’s salad days.
During their mid-’90s heyday, Bush connected with rock fans courtesy of bangers such as “Everything Zen,” “Machinehead” and “Little Things.” Many of the tracks from 2022’s “The Art of Survival” are muscular, gritty and anthemic.
But the big difference between the fresh new tunes and the hits from the Bush heyday is that the recent tracks are about something. Many of the lyrics from back-in-the-day Bush are inscrutable.
“Just wanted to be myself / Hey you said you would love to try some / Hey you said you would love to die some / In the middle of a world on a fishhook” are some couplets from 1996’s “Swallowed.”
Fast forward to “The Art of Survival,” and there’s a story delivered with most songs. “More Than Machines” is pro-choice, and “Shark Bite” is about saving the planet.
Rossdale, 58, admits that he’s changed his tune on lyric writing at midlife. “Back during Bush’s early days, I was interested more about how lyrics sounded coming out of my mouth than I was about the actual words,” Rossdale said while calling from Los Angeles. “But now I am more interested in the words. I love what Patti Smith did as a songwriter. I love her lyrics.”
Rossdale follows in the footsteps of John Mellencamp. When the Heartland rocker performed as John Cougar during the early ’80s, he delivered some of his most banal and hackneyed lyrics. After scoring a few unsubstantial hits, the silly name imposed by his then record company was junked, and Mellencamp had an epiphany.
“I never really worked on the lyrics to those early ones (hits),” Mellencamp admitted. “When I finally did actually put some thought and feeling into the lyrics, everything changed.”
Rossdale can relate. Bush, who will perform Sept. 9 at PH Live in Planet Hollywood, has made some noise over recent years by releasing four albums over the last decade. 2014’s “Man on the Run” featured a change in direction with some fresh-sounding electro-rock cuts.
Bush landed back on the radio courtesy of the gorgeous love song “The Only Way Out,” which has a massive hook. But that shouldn’t be a surprise since Rossdale has always been adept at writing catchy tunes. “I know I can write a song,” Rossdale said.
More: Caesars.com
