• Record Label: eOne
  • Release Date: Sep 13, 2011
Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
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  1. Nov 17, 2011
    50
    The Sea of Memories will most likely please those few Bush fans who've been hoping for a reunion, but it will not change the minds of those who relegated Bush to nothing more than a disingenuous rip-off of so many more brilliant '90s alterna-rock acts.
  2. Oct 11, 2011
    42
    The Sea Of Memories plays like an endless replay of Rossdale's past musical miscues.
  3. Sep 30, 2011
    80
    As a record, this The Sea of Memories is easily the most enjoyable collection of songs released under Bush's name.
  4. Sep 13, 2011
    50
    Memories does indeed trigger some, particularly when a big-chorused rocker ("The Afterlife") opens up like a razor-blade suitcase. As for the ballads, you're better off YouTubing "Glycerine" -- or one of the tearjerkers ("Forever May You Run" ) from Rossdale's underappreciated 2008 solo disc.
  5. Sep 12, 2011
    60
    The quartet's first record in a decade is a surprisingly vital viva-la-grunge manifesto.
  6. Sep 9, 2011
    50
    What The Sea of Memories does is inject some life into the Bush brand, proving that Rossdale isn't ready to call it a day.
  7. Sep 9, 2011
    40
    It's a mediocre album, and I'm only being hard on you because I sincerely wanted more. Like a pissy parent, I'm not mad at you... I'm disappointed.
  8. Uncut
    Nov 23, 2011
    40
    Bob Rock's big production ladles on the reverb, merely emphasizing hollowness at the core. [Dec 2011, p.81]
  9. Kerrang!
    Nov 17, 2011
    40
    As far as comebacks go, sadly, this is not a good one. [29 Oct 2011, p.52]
  10. Entertainment Weekly
    Oct 6, 2011
    42
    The Sea adds exactly zero entries to the totally awesome Bush greatest-hits album that doesn't exist yet. [23 Sep 2011, p.79]
User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 13
  2. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Oct 3, 2011
    7
    I enjoyed this album as a whole ,but i can not find one track that is going to stick in my head 10 years from now . I think they lost some ofI enjoyed this album as a whole ,but i can not find one track that is going to stick in my head 10 years from now . I think they lost some of the hunger in the early albums and replaced it with well written songs ,that are well thought out but not amazing . All in all if you like bush ,you should enjoy this . Full Review »
  2. Sep 29, 2011
    3
    What I wouldn't give for the days of even Golden State. Bush desperately needs their original bassist and lead guitarist back.
  3. Feb 4, 2021
    6
    This new era of post-Institute/half-Institute Bush is well-defined by this album. The Sound of Winter is fantastic. The rest is forgettable.