Garbage – No Gods No Masters

Posted on June 12, 2021 by Craig M

Album review

I’ve now had a few listens to the seventh studio album by my favourite band Garbage. I can confidently say it’s both impressed and surprised me. The song selection here, like all their albums varies from up tempo rock & synth jams to moody, atmospheric ballads. This time they tackle prominent subjects like sexism, racism, religion and relationships and it all feels a tad more biting than anything they’ve delivered in the past. Songs like The Men Who Rule The World confront the patriarchy, whilst Waiting For God explores Black Lives Matter. However it never feels preachy or too in yer face, still managing to deliver anthemic choruses or meaningful melodies amongst heavy subject matter.

Personal highlights are the throwback 60s spy movie vibe of Anonymous XXX, the exhilarating industrial rock of Godhead and the dark, sinister western movie styled A Woman Destroyed … and although songs like Flipping The Bird and Uncomfortably Me didn’t gel with me as instantly, there’s really no filler on this album. What impressed me the most was the ideas, creativity and sheer ambition on show, with no two songs sounding the same and each one delivering a sense of passion, with something important to say.

Although the use of provocative lyrics and swearing, such as Godhead’s ‘if I had a dick would you blow it?’ or The Men Who Rule The World’s numerous F-bombs caused this to lose a point for me (even if it’s the closest they’ve ever come to eclipsing 1998’s near-perfect Version 2.0) – the slick production, and the writing are otherwise strong enough to (mostly) overlook personal preference. So there we have it. 25+ years into their career, with No Gods No Masters, Shirley Manson, Butch Vig, Steve Marker and Duke Erickson show no evidence of going through the motions and remain in my opinion prominent voices in music that are just as relevant now as they’ve ever been. Give this a listen!

Verdict: Recommended

A weekend to remember

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Craig M

I wouldn’t say I’m a massively outgoing person as far as venturing far and wide, but in recent years I’ve tried to broaden my horizons, at least when opportunities arise. Two such opportunities arrived the weekend just gone, not entirely planned as such but I jumped at the chance to go and see my favourite band once again … and then another opportunity came around to see a personal favourite TV sketch show’s live tour.

Probably over a year ago I booked tickets to see Garbage again in London as well as meet up with a friend I’d made last time I went. Some months later VIP meet & Greets were announced, and so yeah, once again I was going to meet the band and get a photo taken. The whole experience this time around was even better than I’d experienced in 2016 at The Troxy. For starters at Brixton Academy, the meet & greet q&a part of the VIP experience was in the same room where the photos were to be taken and it was a small, intimate affair with me sitting amongst 50+ fans within touching distance of the band (!!). It was so surreal as it wasn’t as if I was sitting before my favourite band, but almost like old friends … it all felt so nice and relaxed and really f’ing cool. I didn’t say much, as I knew I’d clam up (again) but did get a chance to say how fantastic I thought they were and that Version 2.0 (of which the tour was celebrating it’s 20th anniversary) was my favourite album of all time, by any artist. I got my photo taken which turned out to be more of a fun thing, with me posing with the band and all pretending to be zombies, with outstretched arms etc. lol.

The VIP experience also meant early entry so I was pretty much at the front (one short girl in front of me, so I had an awesome view) and what was the actual concert like? In short Garbage (Shirley Manson, Butch Vig, Duke Erikson and Steve Marker) were on electrifying form, belting out the hits as well as more obscure b-sides both word-perfect and with an energetic response from a sold-out Brixton Academy crowd. It was intense, heart-pounding, utterly feel good and the best I’ve seen them perform. Garbage are such a skilled and talented band and once again delivered an evening of rockin’ good entertainment that didn’t disappoint.

Two night’s later I was heading off to Liverpool to see The League of Gentlemen at the Echo Arena and this British sketch comedy four-piece that started out on radio before creating a cult TV show of the same name were utterly brilliant. They went through a plethora of their most famous sketches and iconic characters to deliver a 2hr+ show of bonkers humour, one-liners, political satire and toilet humour with no end of imagination and charisma. Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton, Mark Gattis and (behind the scenes / co-writer) Jeremy Dyson are one of the best comedy groups Britain has spawned since Monty Python and that … is not said lightly. Translating the sketch-based comedy of the show worked well on stage and the sets and costumes were all very well done and seemed to go off without a hitch, aided by what appeared to be some funny ad-libbing and natural glimpses of the guy’s personalities. This show was partly a celebration of their 20th anniversary as well as a hinted at farewell to the characters unless this talented four-piece find a way to work together again at some stage … we’ll see. For now though, me and a couple of friends as well as the sold out crowd had a ball.

As far as my usual weekends go, this was pretty intense, rather exhausting but utterly fulfilling, creating memories I’ll look back on for years to come. So a big shout-out to Garbage and to The League of Gentlemen for making the past few days so very special.

Craig.

Garbage – Strange Little Birds

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Craig M

(updated 24/06/2016) After a long wait the one album I have been looking forward to for the last few years has finally landed. Yes ladies and gentlemen my favourite band Garbage are back … and could this be one of the best things they have ever created? Let’s see…

After extensive play over the last two weeks I can confidently say this is a particularly polished, quality album from the alt-rock pioneers who first made waves back in 1995. 21 years later and Garbage have still got it, even to the point of further developing their sound to create something with a well defined mood through the whole album, which I feel the band hasn’t totally nailed in years. Strange Little Birds tells a story of obsession, jealousy, regret and eventually hope. It’s really quite powerful. Personal highlights include the sublime rock-ballad ‘Night Drive Loneliness’, the powerhouse anthem ‘So We Can Stay Alive’, moody stadium rocker ‘Blackout’, and the heart-breaking ‘Even Though Our Love Is Doomed’ – but really I like every track and I haven’t felt that way since Version 2.0. ‘Sometimes’ whilst possibly my least go-to track, is still a perfectly ominous opening and powerfully introduces ‘Empty’, which is the most radio-friendly track at least as far as today’s radio songs go. Yet there’s a lot of potential here for singles; Night Drive being an obvious one as well as ‘If I lost You’ with it’s decidedly Madonna-like chorus. I also really enjoy the slightly trippy vibe to ‘Teaching Little Fingers To Play’. I should also add the closing, suitably epic ‘Amends’ makes me think of a moody western about a woman seeking redemption.

‘Magnetized’ is possibly the only track on the album I don’t totally enjoy … but I still like aspects of it. Also the subjects explored, despite best intentions are not exactly new ground for this band. However it’s the delivery and the craft that impresses most. It’s also an album that left me wanting more … no bad thing, but I’d have loved a couple more tracks than the 11 we get here. So overall, stellar work from Shirley Manson and her band mates; musicians & producers Butch Vig, Steve Marker and Duke Erikson. You’ve proved the nay-sayers rather foolish indeed and have delivered some of the best work of your career. I’d say Strange Little Birds will surprise a lot of people, critics especially, and in this homogenized, cookie-cutter musical landscape we find ourselves in – that’s a very good thing indeed.

Verdict: 4 /5

Beyond a fan boy’s wildest dreams

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Craig M

I can’t believe I’m typing this and NOT making it up. On Monday night of the 13 June 2016…I got to MEET my favorite band in-the-flesh and tell them how much I love their music and even have a photo taken. That’s not to mention the fact I also got to watch them rehearse and eventually perform a full concert at the Troxy in London.

Front row … what an amazing view

Yes I just typed all that and it really happened. I am looking back on it now in disbelief. Lead singer Shirley Manson was everything I could have hoped and more and on getting to actually speak to her, I almost lost it emotionally, but with her assistance I didn’t cry – but it came worryingly close. She was a real gem and so nice and genuine. In fact the same can also be said for Duke Erikson and Steve Marker, who were so lovely and I shook their hands and well, just wanted to press pause on the moment and wallow in it. It was simply one of the greatest night’s of my life thus far. Sadly drummer and producer Butch Vig couldn’t make the gig as he’d been signed off sick with a sinus infection.

Shirley Troxy.jpg The concert that followed this was incredible, spanning the full gamut of their 20+ year career and every song was performed with such energy, enthusiasm and power that I was totally floored. Personal highlights were the rarely sang ‘So Like a Rose’ which Shirley performed aided by her guitar and was a tribute to photographer friend Matt Irwin who had recently passed away. Also my favourite Garbage song ‘Why Do You Love Me?’ was delivered as a thankyou to the loyal fan-base, and it was also great to hear several new tracks from the new album, including ‘Blackout’ and ‘Empty’. I had purchased a VIP package for this event and as well as what I mentioned above, I also got early entry and was right at the front. In comparison to the last time I saw them at Brixton Academy, I found the sound although very loud, much better and I didn’t come away with the ringing and deafness I experienced last time. So it was such a better experience and with all the trimmings I can safely say this was a dream I never even considered would be realised … but it was!

Yes at one stage Shirley Manson sang directly to me

The pictures above were taken by myself so you can get a good idea of the view I had. What an experience which I fully recommend if you get the opportunity. I conquered several fears and personal obstacles to achieve this and feel so proud of myself for doing so. Also few front women in the industry have the sheer charisma, likeability or stage presence of Shirley Manson and I tell you now, she delivered 100%.

Not just a band … but a way of life.

Thank you Garbage for such an amazing experience!

Garbage new music video!

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Craig M

Today following the previous single release of their track ‘Empty’ my favourite band finally released the music video to it, and I’m so happy to say it’s a belter! A departure from the arty approach of some of their most recent music videos, this back to basics performance-based promo echoes the band’s video for their 1995 song ‘Vow’ which is not surprising as it’s by the same director, Samuel Bayer. Check it out below…

The song itself is both classic Garbage and something very contemporary sounding in my opinion, with heavy drums and stunning guitar riffs, backed up by Shirley’s seductive, emotional lyrics – I was sold from my very first listen … and I can’t say that has been the case for other recent tracks like The Chemicals and On Fire. Yet Empty is a very catchy, anthemic track that although I’m not totally in love with the chorus ‘I am soooo empty’ the sheer inventiveness to the track showcases some of the band’s strongest skills. Super-producer Butch Vig is on hand after all; the man behind Nirvana’s Nevermind and Foo Fighter’s Wasting Light (he’s also the drummer for the band) so solid production is a given … and sporting awesome pink hair Shirley Manson looks and sounds every bit the rock icon that she is. Also, that bit after the second chorus where it switches to ‘every day every hour of the night, you’re all i think about’ just floored me by the way – classic Garbage.

Roll on June 10 when their sixth studio album ‘Strange Little Birds’ is released and expect my impressions shortly afterwards.