Gavin Rossdale — Wanderlust

Wanderlust

Interscope

Caitlin Hotchkiss (CHARTattack)

07/01/2008 12:49pm

It's hard to find middle ground with Gavin Rossdale. Bush apologists and red-blooded females still love the guy, but critics and old grunge fans still haven't quite forgiven him for his former band putting the nails in Kurt Cobain's coffin. Rossdale's previous attempt at reclaiming his career, his second band Institute, didn't even get off the ground, so now he's going the solo route. It's precisely what you'd expect from a former grunge-rocker turned Hollywood soccer dad: mellow balladry and tender sentiments about his family. There are some unexpected turns, at least. After a mostly banal first half there's more venom and grit in "This Is Happiness" and "Another Night In The Hills" and guest vocals from Shirley Manson and Katy Perry. Too bad he couldn't have kept that up for the whole record, though. Because if you can contemplate the idea of Coldplay Lite, this is it.

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