the kingdom

Bush

Having achieved alt-rock-legend status two decades ago, grunge gods Bush could have easily put out a new album that was a mixed bag. It’s rare for iconic bands not to sound frozen in their own time. But the urgency and momentum throughout The Kingdom’s dozen songs consistently stays up, with energy on par with classics Sixteen Stone and Razorblade Suitcase. Bush comes at it hard-hitting, genuine, and with a pace that doesn’t feel static.

The band’s build-and-release songwriting is airtight, with Gavin Rossdale’s emotive vocals interplaying with Chris Traynor’s anthemic 6-string leads. The opener, “Flowers on a Grave,” features powerful octave riffs, while “Bullet Holes” has a filthy, cutting bass line that intensifies the high-octane track as it ascends into feedback chaos.

Bush didn’t reinvent any wheels on this one, but what’s wrong with the simplicity of a pummeling rock song that hits right?

Must-hear tracks:“Bullet Holes,” “Ghosts in the Machine”