Bush – Sixteen Stone

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The 6x Platinum debut by English rock band, Bush, is getting a comprehensive vinyl reissue today in honor of Sixteen Stone’s 30th anniversary. You probably know the hits by heart. “Everything Zen,” “Little Things,” “Comedown,” “Machinehead” and “Glycerine” were the five massive singles released from this album that still stand the test of time today. The album was recorded at Westside Studios, London with producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, and marked the breakthrough of legendary Alt Rock frontman, Gavin Rossdale. Through his gritty vocal performance throughout Sixteen Stone, Rossdale captivated audiences far and wide on this record that if you didn’t own it yourself, you likely knew someone nearby who did. Bush had recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of Sixteen Stone with a comprehensive Greatest Hits tour that coincided with a singles compilation and put their decades-long career back into focus.

The stylistic choices found on Sixteen Stone ranged from grunge to post-rock, all paired with the pop sensibilities for sustained success on Alt Rock radio. The set kicks off with the energetic guitar blast found on lead single, “Everything Zen,” and the band showcases the depths of their sound on remarkable deep cuts like “Swim” and the Nirvana-esque “Bomb.” The machine gun drumming by Robin Goodridge on “Little Things” accentuated Bush’s approach to rounding out their hard rock sound, while “Comedown” was a well-constructed ballad that featured a great bass line paired with vulnerable vocals from Rossdale.

The record has plenty of legs with songs like “Body,” that felt like a blend between the grunge of Soundgarden mixed with the metal-tinged elements of Iron Maiden and Motorhead. “Machinehead” featured a great, opening guitar riff from Rossdale and Nigel Pulsford that sets the table brilliantly for the energetic vocal performance throughout. “Testosterone” felt like a band trying to find their footing with other similar bands like Alice In Chains and Soundgarden blowing up the charts, while “Monkey” showed off a more experimental side of Bush.

The closing trio of an all-time ballad in “Glycerine,” paired with the sprawling “Alien,” and quiet closing track of “X-girlfriend” proved that Bush were far from a one-trick pony. The band would follow up this record with a harder-tinged effort in Razorblade Suitcase and find sustained success over their 30-plus year career. The gatefold, double LP set is sure to be treasured for longtime fans of the band while still leaving opportunities for music fans to re-discover this gem. Sixteen Stone is usually the first album fans of Bush think of, and it’s easy to see why on this reissued vinyl that pays great attention to detail and affectionately gets these recordings to shine for the next generation of listeners.

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