Golden State (2001)

While the best tracks on Bush's fourth album (the plaintive ''The People That We Love'' and the buzz-riffed ''Headful of Ghosts'') may not be as grabby as past hits ''Everything Zen'' and ''Glycerine,'' the blustery Brits deliver another sturdy set of radio-ready rock. And compared with the meathead nu-metal set, the band's quasi-grunge actually sounds alternative -- something that couldn't be said while the likes of Nirvana were still kicking. Chalk it up to Gavin Rossdale's sexily strained vocals, and lyrics that reach beyond me-against-the-world rock cliches.