The Science of Things
Bush · 1999
51 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A blend of atmospheric rock and introspective lyrics, veering from grunge's raw edge to polished melodic hooks.
Top tracks — play these first
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Warm Machine Start here — As the opening track, it sets a darker tone with its heavy guitars and themes of alienation, embodying the album's overall aesthetic.
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The Chemicals Between Us — This song highlights Bush's knack for crafting catchy choruses while exploring complex emotional themes, making it one of their most recognizable tracks.
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Letting the Cables Sleep — With its reflective lyrics and haunting melody, this track captures a moment of vulnerability that resonates deeply within the context of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends atmospheric rock with electronic elements but lacks strong cohesion and depth for repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a consistent use of layered guitar effects, creating a dense atmospheric sound that persists through the early part of the album.
- Several tracks incorporate electronic elements, such as synthesized beats and ambient textures, particularly evident in 'Spacetravel' and 'Altered States'.
- The album's pacing fluctuates significantly, with the last four tracks slowing down the tempo and introducing more introspective themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- introspective late-night reflections
- dynamic emotional journeys
- layered, dense sonic textures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid entry in their catalog that doesn't define their mainstream success.
- Career context
- Released in January 1999, The Science of Things was Bush's third studio album, following their successful second album, Razorblade Suitcase. At this point in their career, the band faced challenges maintaining their commercial momentum and artistic identity amidst a changing musical landscape dominated by pop and nu-metal.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Stone Temple Pilots· Alice in Chains· Soundgarden
Tracklist
- 1 Warm Machine Start here 4:25
- 2 Jesus Online 3:44
- 3 The Chemicals Between Us 3:37
- 4 English Fire 3:31
- 5 Spacetravel 4:45
- 6 40 Miles From the Sun 3:39
- 7 Prizefighter 5:41
- 8 The Disease of the Dancing Cats 4:01
- 9 Altered States 4:11
- 10 Dead Meat 4:16
- 11 Letting the Cables Sleep 4:36
- 12 Mindchanger 4:48
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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