Review Summary: Rossdale's new band not an entirely worthy replacement for Bush.
Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters has Probot. Maynard James Keenan from Tool has A Perfect Circle. Corey Taylor from Slipknot has Stone Sour. So it’s not really any wonder that Gavin Rossdale would want to jump on the side project bandwagon and embark upon his latest endeavor, Institute. However, as much as die-hard Bush fans want to believe it, Institute’s no side project. It’s Gavin Rossdale’s new band – plain and simple. Institute is vocalist and guitarist Rossdale, guitarist Chris Traynor (Helmet, Orange 9mm), bassist Cache Tolman (Rival Schools, CIV) and drummer Charlie Walker (Chamberlain).
The band’s first album, “Distort Yourself,” is an opinionated, if not revolutionary, alt-rock foray into the schematics of mental and emotional survival in the modern world, with a sort of a “big brother” outlook on the government, a la George Orwell’s “1984.” With Rossdale’s trademark gravelly, slightly Cobain-esque vocals, his new band can’t help but sound somewhat like his former one. However, there is one major difference that distinguishes between the two. Instead of the instruments taking a backseat to Rossdale’s almost-overpowering vocals, there is an unspoken mutual agreement between the two to share the musical billing. The emphasis even falls heavier on the instruments on certain parts of songs, with guitar solos and drum beats taking precedence over the voiced lyrics.
Rossdale flexed his songwriting skills by penning the lyrics to all of the twelve tracks on the album. The result is a poetic glimpse into the front man’s mind, with each song turning out like a stream-of-consciousness ranting, without any particular form and lacking designated choruses or verses. Even though Rossdale wrote and coordinated the songs, on the band’s Web site he pointed out that the collaboration of all four musicians was integral to the group.
“Institute is not a solo thing,” he said, “because I didn’t do it alone, just some of it.” He went on to define “institute” as a cultural collective, further making the point that the band was not a solo project.
The first single and first track from the album, “Bulletproof Skin,” is featured on the “Stealth” soundtrack. In an interview with VH1.com, Rossdale said: “It’s a song about modern life as a treacherous jungle. It’s about survival in 2005, about the pressures of life in the city and how you need bulletproof skin to make it out alive. It’s a really primal song about survival.” The rest of the album seems to follow along the same theme of the primal urges of man and perseverance in the face of everyday pressures, all the more emphasized with second track, “When Animals Attack.” “When Animals Attack” is followed by slower, more mellow, yet somehow heavier title, “Come on Over,” a song that hints at his love for a woman and the need he has to protect her. The album fades out quietly yet powerfully on the last track, “Save the Robots.” It’s a rather slow, spacey track that gives the listener the impression of floating in an orbit with a view of the earth. It also sums up the song’s, if not the entire album’s, intentions with lyrics “no guru no system no mantra,” and “save the robots save yourselves.”
Also, in a way not digressing from the animal and primal basis around which the album was created, Rossdale makes a final acknowledgement on the back cover of the CD booklet by dedicating the album to his beloved bulldog, Winston, who died in 2004.
Rossdale didn’t waste any time with getting his most recent brainchild out on the road to tour as soon as possible after the album was released. Institute headlined at various states and venues, and opening for U2 at shows in Georgia, Florida and Michigan. lthough “Distort Yourself” can by no means be considered groundbreaking, overall, it is a decent album and proves Institute to be a worthy outlet for Rossdale’s musical talent and songwriting abilities. Old Bush fans will appreciate that Institute is not too much of a departure from Rossdale’s former band’s sound.
From the slower, heavier interludes like “Boom Box” and “Wasteland” to the out-and-out powerhouse rock of “When Animals Attack” and “Seventh Wave,” it’s definitely a record worth borrowing from a friend and listening to at least once, if not necessarily buying.
