Everything Always Now
Encyclopedia
The Sea of Memories is the fifth studio album
by English
post-grunge
band Bush
, which was released on September 13, 2011. It is the band's first studio album in ten years, since 2001's Golden State
, and the first to be recorded with Chris Traynor
and Corey Britz, replacing Nigel Pulsford
and Dave Parsons
on guitar and bass respectively. This is also be the first Bush album released on E1 Records, marking their first venture away from Interscope
(or Atlantic
), who handled all of their previous releases.
, who has produced or engineered albums by numerous notable acts, such as Metallica
, Aerosmith
, Mötley Crüe
, Bon Jovi
, The Cult
, Our Lady Peace
, David Lee Roth
, American Hi-Fi
, and The Offspring
. The album took about more than a year to materialize with pre-production beginning in June 2010 and recording sessions wrapping up twelve months later.
, the band announced that they are offering a free download of "All My Life" which was made available on the videogame's website and another song by the band is set to be featured on the soundtrack to NHL 12
where it will be released on July 25, 2011 as another exclusive free download "The Sound of Winter
" but you can also download it from the US iTunes.
is the title track for the film which is directed by the founder of Tennis Channel Steve Bellamy
. The trailer for the film can be found here: http://www.theskichannel.com/news/skinews/20110825/Winter-trailer-for-Ski-Channel-Film-Tour-2011-2012
, #20 on the Top Digital Albums, #5 on the Top Independent Albums and the Top Modern Rock/Alternative Albums and #8 on the Top Rock Albums. The album's lead single "The Afterlife" reached the top 40 on both the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks (#34) and Alternative Songs (#22). The album's second single "The Sound of Winter" faired greater on the charts in North America
reaching the top ten on both the U.S. Active Rock
chart (#4) and the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks (#3). The song topped the Alternative Songs on October 18 and later topped the Rock Songs
chart, becoming the band's first #1 single on the chart.In Canada the song also had good success reaching #2 the Canadian Alternative Chart
, #4 on the Active Rock Chart and #97 on the Canadian Hot 100
.
) stating "The Sea of Memories is easily the most enjoyable collection of songs released under Bush's name". Rockfreaks.net praised the album and the tracks ""The Sound of Winter", "She's a Stallion" and "Stand Up" stating "The Sea Of Memories" is every bit as good as classic Bush".IGN
gave the album 7 out of 10, stating "Ultimately, Bush's return is far from perfect, but still proves to be a welcome return." Love-It-Loud.com gave a positive review, saying: "Whether the songs edge towards the old Bush alternative rock style or go for more of a pop-rock approach, they remain catchy and full of hooks, with Rossdale’s voice at the forefront, as strong as ever."
, except where noted.
Singles
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
post-grunge
Post-grunge
Post-grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1990s as a derivative of grunge, using the sounds and aesthetic of grunge, but with a more commercially acceptable tone...
band Bush
Bush (band)
Bush are an alternative rock band formed in London in 1992 shortly after vocalist/guitarist Gavin Rossdale and guitarist Nigel Pulsford met in a London nightclub. Realising they shared a love for such diverse artists as the Pixies, Bob Marley, The Jesus Lizard, MC5, Nirvana, Hüsker Dü, and Big...
, which was released on September 13, 2011. It is the band's first studio album in ten years, since 2001's Golden State
Golden State (album)
Golden State is the fourth studio album by British post-grunge band Bush, released in 2001. Stylistically, it was seen as a return to the post-grunge that Bush became famous for in contrast to their more recent experimental work. However, it ended up being their worst-selling album to date, not...
, and the first to be recorded with Chris Traynor
Chris Traynor
Chris Traynor is an American guitarist, bassist and studio musician. He has played with Orange 9mm, Helmet, Bush, Rival Schools and Gavin Rossdale....
and Corey Britz, replacing Nigel Pulsford
Nigel Pulsford
Nigel Pulsford is a British guitarist, best known as the original lead guitarist of the alternative rock band Bush.-Early life:...
and Dave Parsons
Dave Parsons
Dave Parsons is a British bass guitarist, most notable as a member of The Partisans, Bush and Transvision Vamp.-With Transvision Vamp:*Pop Art *Velveteen...
on guitar and bass respectively. This is also be the first Bush album released on E1 Records, marking their first venture away from Interscope
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
(or Atlantic
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
), who handled all of their previous releases.
Background and production
Originally intended for a fall 2010 release, the working title for this album was Everything Always Now. The Sea of Memories was produced by Bob RockBob Rock
Robert Jens Rock, , is a Canadian musician, sound engineer, and record producer best known for producing bands such as Aerosmith, The Cult, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, 311, Metallica, Our Lady Peace, The Offspring and most recently Bush.-Payola$ and Rock and Hyde:Rock began his music career in Langford,...
, who has produced or engineered albums by numerous notable acts, such as Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
, Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
, Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
, The Cult
The Cult
The Cult are a British rock band that was formed in 1983. They gained a dedicated following in Britain in the mid 1980s as a post-punk band with singles such as "She Sells Sanctuary", before breaking mainstream in the United States in the late 1980s as a hard rock band with singles such as "Love...
, Our Lady Peace
Our Lady Peace
Our Lady Peace is a Canadian alternative rock band that formed in Toronto, Ontario in 1992. Headed by lead vocalist Raine Maida since its formation, the band additionally consists of Jeremy Taggart on percussion, Duncan Coutts on bass, and Steve Mazur as lead guitarist...
, David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality. Roth was ranked nineteenth by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Singers of All Time....
, American Hi-Fi
American Hi-Fi
American Hi-Fi is an American pop punk band from Los Angeles, California, which originally hailed from Boston, Massachusetts. The band consists of vocalist Stacy Jones, guitarist Jamie Arentzen, bassist Drew Parsons, and drummer Brian Nolan...
, and The Offspring
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada...
. The album took about more than a year to materialize with pre-production beginning in June 2010 and recording sessions wrapping up twelve months later.
Promotion and release
In an exclusive partnership with Electronic ArtsElectronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
, the band announced that they are offering a free download of "All My Life" which was made available on the videogame's website and another song by the band is set to be featured on the soundtrack to NHL 12
NHL 12
NHL 12 is an ice hockey video game developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports. The game was released between September 8–13, 2011, in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and North America. The game was featured in the 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo . Steven Stamkos was announced as the...
where it will be released on July 25, 2011 as another exclusive free download "The Sound of Winter
The Sound of Winter
"The Sound of Winter" is a song by British post-grunge band Bush. The song is the second single released from the band's fifth studio album The Sea of Memories.-Music video:...
" but you can also download it from the US iTunes.
Ski Channel Film Winter
Many of the songs from The Sea of Memories are on the soundtrack for Ski Channel film tour film Winter starring: Ted Ligety, Simon Dumont, Sean Pettit, Sarah Burke and numerous other action sport stars. The Sound of WinterThe Sound of Winter
"The Sound of Winter" is a song by British post-grunge band Bush. The song is the second single released from the band's fifth studio album The Sea of Memories.-Music video:...
is the title track for the film which is directed by the founder of Tennis Channel Steve Bellamy
Steve Bellamy
Steve Bellamy is a former rock musician, songwriter, and entrepreneur in sports and media as well as the writer/director for the film The Story starring Bode Miller, Lindsey Vonn and Hilary Swank...
. The trailer for the film can be found here: http://www.theskichannel.com/news/skinews/20110825/Winter-trailer-for-Ski-Channel-Film-Tour-2011-2012
Commercial Perfomance
The album peaked at #18 on the Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, #20 on the Top Digital Albums, #5 on the Top Independent Albums and the Top Modern Rock/Alternative Albums and #8 on the Top Rock Albums. The album's lead single "The Afterlife" reached the top 40 on both the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks (#34) and Alternative Songs (#22). The album's second single "The Sound of Winter" faired greater on the charts in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
reaching the top ten on both the U.S. Active Rock
Active rock
Active rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock plays contemporary rock artists with a mix of songs common in the classic rock radio format.-Format background:...
chart (#4) and the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks (#3). The song topped the Alternative Songs on October 18 and later topped the Rock Songs
Rock Songs
Rock Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks the airplay of songs on alternative, mainstream rock and triple A radio stations. The first chart was published in the issue dated June 20, 2009. "Know Your Enemy" by Green Day was the first number-one song. The Rock Songs...
chart, becoming the band's first #1 single on the chart.In Canada the song also had good success reaching #2 the Canadian Alternative Chart
Canadian rock/alternative chart
The Canadian rock/alternative chart was first published on June 11, 1995 by RPM magazine under the name Alternative 30. The song which held the number-one spot on this first chart was "More Human than Human" by White Zombie...
, #4 on the Active Rock Chart and #97 on the Canadian Hot 100
Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007...
.
Critical Reception
Since its release the album has been met with mixed to positive reviews. Allmusic gave the album 4 out of 5 stars (the band's best rating since their debut albumSixteen Stone
Sixteen Stone is the debut album of British rock band Bush. Released in 1994 through Trauma Records, it boasted numerous successful singles and is widely regarded as the band's most popular album.-Title:...
) stating "The Sea of Memories is easily the most enjoyable collection of songs released under Bush's name". Rockfreaks.net praised the album and the tracks ""The Sound of Winter", "She's a Stallion" and "Stand Up" stating "The Sea Of Memories" is every bit as good as classic Bush".IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
gave the album 7 out of 10, stating "Ultimately, Bush's return is far from perfect, but still proves to be a welcome return." Love-It-Loud.com gave a positive review, saying: "Whether the songs edge towards the old Bush alternative rock style or go for more of a pop-rock approach, they remain catchy and full of hooks, with Rossdale’s voice at the forefront, as strong as ever."
Track listing
All songs by Gavin RossdaleGavin Rossdale
Gavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
, except where noted.
Personnel
- Gavin RossdaleGavin RossdaleGavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
– vocals, guitar - Chris TraynorChris TraynorChris Traynor is an American guitarist, bassist and studio musician. He has played with Orange 9mm, Helmet, Bush, Rival Schools and Gavin Rossdale....
– guitar - Corey Britz – bass guitar
- Robin GoodridgeRobin GoodridgeRobin Goodridge is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the rock band Bush.-Biography:...
– drums, percussion - John Ewing Jr - engineer
- Jay BaumgardnerJay BaumgardnerJay Baumgardner is an American record producer, engineer and mixer. He has worked on albums by Ugly Kid Joe, Helmet, Papa Roach, Endwell, Coal Chamber, Godsmack, Three Days Grace, New Found Glory, Spineshank, Alien Ant Farm and Orgy....
- mixer - Mark "Spike" StentMark StentMark 'Spike' Stent is a British record producer, and audio engineer who has worked with The KLF, Björk, Keane, Depeche Mode, Muse, Erasure, Hard-Fi, Massive Attack, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Marilyn Manson, Pet Shop Boys, Dave Matthews, No Doubt/Gwen Stefani, CSS, Beth Orton,...
- mixer - Native Wayne JobsonWayne JobsonWayne Jobson , also known as Native Wayne, is a Jamaican-American Grammy-winning record producer of European ancestry. He has worked with such artists as No Doubt, Gregory Isaacs and Toots & the Maytals. He hosts the weekly radio show "Alter Native" every Sunday afternoon 4pm - 6pm on Indie 103.1...
- executive producer (The Afterlife) - Ted JensenTed JensenTed Jensen is an American recording engineer. Jensen is the chief mastering engineer at Sterling Sound. He started his career as a mastering engineer in 1976 and is currently the most active Mastering Engineer in the industry...
- mastering - Julian Peploe Studio – art direction
Chart positions
Album| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
18 |
| Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
49 |
| Top Digital Albums | 20 |
| Top Independent Albums | 5 |
| Top Modern Rock/Alternative Albums | 5 |
| Top Rock Albums | 8 |
Singles
| Single | Chart | Peak position |
Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| "The Sound of Winter" | Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | 3 | 2011 |
| "The Sound of Winter" | Alternative Songs | 1 | 2011 |
| "The Sound of Winter" | U.S. Active Rock Active rock Active rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock plays contemporary rock artists with a mix of songs common in the classic rock radio format.-Format background:... |
4 | 2011 |
| "The Sound of Winter" | Rock Songs Rock Songs Rock Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks the airplay of songs on alternative, mainstream rock and triple A radio stations. The first chart was published in the issue dated June 20, 2009. "Know Your Enemy" by Green Day was the first number-one song. The Rock Songs... |
1 | 2011 |
| "The Sound of Winter" | U.S. Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100... |
4 | 2011 |
| "The Sound of Winter" | Canadian Alternative Chart Canadian rock/alternative chart The Canadian rock/alternative chart was first published on June 11, 1995 by RPM magazine under the name Alternative 30. The song which held the number-one spot on this first chart was "More Human than Human" by White Zombie... |
2 | 2011 |
| "The Sound of Winter" | Canadian Active Rock Chart | 4 | 2011 |
| "The Afterlife" | Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | 34 | 2010 |
| "The Afterlife" | Alternative Songs | 22 | 2010 |