Bush - Man On The Run

HOW time flies.

It seems remarkable that this year marks the 20th anniversary of Bush's debut album, Sixteen Stone.

The record was acclaimed but the London band had a stumbling start as it was released in 1994 when Kurt Cobain died and frontman Gavin Rossdale was unfairly criticised for sounding like the Nirvana singer.

Obviously things have moved on since then and perhaps in a strange way those comparisons helped as the multi-platinum alternative rock band have sold almost 20 million records across the Atlantic in the States and Canada.

Man On The Run is Bush's second album since their reunion in 2010 and, again, the release fits in neatly with the American grunge and rock scene despite the band's UK roots.

That image is reinforced with Bush's choice of producer – Nick Raskulinecz who has worked with Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains and Deftones.

The album itself sees the band on usual form. Their signature grunge riffs and polished guitar flourishes are present and correct, and at 48, Rossdale 's voice is as strong as ever (you will have to judge for yourself if you still think he sounds like Cobain).

But while Man On The Run is a fine piece of work in its own right it does pale in comparison to Bush's edgier and more progressive albums of the 90s, especially Razorblade Suitcase.

DAVID MORGAN