Quick plays: GAVIN ROSSDALE – Wanderlust, INSTITUTE – Distort Yourself

GAVIN ROSSDALE – Wanderlust
earMUSIC [Release date: 01.07.13]

English-born Gavin Rossdale is perhaps best known now for fronting Bush, but back in 2008 he released his debut solo album Wanderlust. Highly accessible, it produced some chart success in the States and is now re-packaged with bonus tracks.

Rossdale has a rock voice to die for although on this album he reminds me of Dave Matthews. The sixteen tracks, including the bonuses, are fantastic examples of radio-friendly American AOR probably 20 years too late.

The rockier tracks are mixed with the more reflective such as ‘Forever May You Run’ and ‘Love Remains The Same’ whilst ‘The Trouble I’m In’ (with Shirley Manson helping on vocals) is just tremendous. The bonuses are worthwhile too including ‘You Can’t Run From What You Forget’ . ****

INSTITUTE – Distort Yourself
earMUSIC [Release date: 13.05.13]

Rossdale’s post-Bush band Institute released their only album in 2005. Now repackaged with four bonus tracks, the band was really an extension of the Bush post-Grunge vibe not least because also on board was one-time Bush guitarist Chris Traynor. However, they didn’t receive the big promotional push to ensure this album got the wider attention it deserved.

Opening with the single ‘Bulletproof’ the album is full of anthemic hooks and riffing, almost like early Nickelback in places but less insipid lyrically. It also includes the slower standout ‘Ambulances’ and mid-tempo ‘Wasteland’ and ’Secrets And Lies’ – three tracks to convince any doubters – whilst ‘Mountains’ combines melody and sonic punch in equal measures.

The bonus tracks are worthy too, some have appeared previously on alternate album versions but are brought together here for the first time.

Most recently Rossdale and Bush have reunited for the so-so album ‘The Sea Of Memories’ but he has certainly been no slouch in the intervening years since Bush’s hiatus and Institute is well worth reappraisal. ****1/2

Review by David Randall

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)