The question of what Mr. Gwen Stefani has been up to lately is finally answered with the release of Institute's (Gavin Rossdale's new band) debut album "Distort Yourself."

Unfortunately, Institute isn't going to bring Rossdale back up to Bush-era stardom. He'll have to continue living vicariously through Stefani. The album is all heavy rock with plenty of bass and Rossdale's loud, grainy vocals. Institute could easily be modern-day Bush in disguise. Rossdale isn't trying to break away from his image or sound. It seems he just wanted to get away from the name and former bandmates.

The lyrics are horribly simple. "You know how bad things get when animals attack/You need fire when animals attack and there's no way out," Rossdale sings in "When Animals Attack."

The nu-metal nature of the album is a big turn-off. Rossdale's mediocre lyrics are paired with less-than-mediocre guitars and drums. Guitar riffs are simply loud. There is no ingenuity associated with any of the music. The majority of the songs on "Distort Yourself" are pure noise. Rossdale's vocals blend into the rough bass and universal drums used on every song.

The single "Bullet Proof Skin" might become a hit just because of Bush fans who are hoping for Rossdale to produce something as good. Sorry, it's not going to happen. "Bullet Proof Skin" is probably the best song on the album, and that doesn't say a lot.

"Distort Yourself" is a bad attempt at a comeback. If Rossdale truly wants to please fans, he should stray from Bush's sound and develop an identity of his own. He should stick to what he's good at - being husband to Stefani and staying away from the spotlight.