:: Garbage - Bleed Like Me

Garbage

There’s a return to elements of the old Garbage here. The distinctive vocals of Shirley Manson and the heavy guitars, which took the music world by storm nearly ten years ago, return to provide fans with the indie anthems we’d grown to love in the first couple of albums. The electro-pop wanderings of ‘Beautiful Garbage’ wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea a few years ago and they aren’t to be heard much during this set. Songs like ‘Boys Wanna Fight’ and ‘Why Do You Love Me’ are sturdy and robust and show that the band has got the fire back in the belly. Mind you, the early sessions almost resulted in the end for the band when Butch Vig took extended time out and virtually quit for a few months. Therefore, there is some rage-filled anthems contained in the album and Shirley sings with such bite that you’d think her life depended on it. It shows in the first half, in particular, where the guitars of Steve Marker and Duke Erikson are charged and ready to pounce through ‘Bad Boyfriend’ and ‘Right Between The Eyes’. The synth vibe and sweet verses of ‘Metal Heart’ and ‘Run Baby Run’ respectively are interesting tracks while the title track ‘Bleed Like Me’ surrenders into a disturbing acoustic-pop flavour. The one thing about Garbage is that they tread their own path, unlike the sameness heard too often elsewhere. It’s great to see the ferocious edge back in Garbage. Maybe it was the scare of a break-up has propelled them back in earnest for this welcome and gladly awaited release.