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Album Details

• Artist: Garbage
• Album: Garbage
• Label: Almo Sounds
• Year of Release: 1995
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: gwhill on 2013-01-15

This debut from the alternative band Garbage is a very strong effort. The disc showcases solid song writing with offbeat overtones and Shirley Manson`s wonderful vocals (which are, at times, quite haunting). The arrangements on this album, although pop oriented, at times are quite off kilter, in very entertaining way. Garbage is Shirley Manson, Steve Markes, Duke Erikson, and Butch Vig.

The disc opens with “Supervixen” and a very unique intro starts the track with alternative rock fury punctuated by very intriguingly arranged moments of silence. The verse to the cut is in an almost grunge ballad mode, while the choruses are full of fire. A quite unusual texture dominates the fascinating cut entitled “Queer.” The song is considerably intriguing and quite catchy, even though it is sonically very odd at times. A strong alternative rock/pop cut, “Only Happy When It Rains” is quite effective. This energetic rocker is considerably catchy and a bit off kilter.

A fast paced, almost discofied percussive texture starts “As Heaven is Wide.” Nine-Inch-Nailsish guitar sounds add a strong crunch to much of this potent cut. The piece has a rather unearthly texture, and is quite wonderful. Many styles seem to merge here, including Hawkwind, NIN, psychedelia and dance. Hard rocking, punky alternative intro and choruses contrast well with the pretty electro-pop texture of the verses on “Not My Idea.” A lovely, atmospheric cut, “A Stroke of Luck” is quite powerfully haunting.

On “Vow” a Smiths oriented intro leads to an energetic alternative cut with a powerful chorus that shows elements of `70`s rock. The guitar solo on this cut has a wonderful texture. “Stupid Girl” is a fun, danceable alterna-pop number. Much of this song uses creative arranging and Shirley Manson`s voice to achieve a mysterious texture. Another very strong cut featuring elements reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails; “Dog New Tricks” is a standout number on a very solid album. If you can picture a cleaner sounding NIN with female vocals, you are very close to the nature of this song. “My Lover’s Box” is a solid alternative rock tune with a very powerful chorus. It has some wonderful textures.

Hip-hop rhythms with near spoken words begin “Fix Me Now.” Metallic rock guitar comes in as the track changes gear a bit. The chorus is a bit reminiscent of Blondie. A pretty alternative rock ballad, the chorus to “Milk” is very beautiful and very powerful. This is a great disc that still holds up remarkably well.

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