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

Garbage bring it again…

Posted on May 22, 2021 by Craig M

Well, three singles have been released in the lead up to my favourite band Garbage’s seventh album. Wow, I’m feeling spoilt as all three have been bangers, and their latest, ‘Wolves’ is a rocking, creatively produced, catchy tune that has become my personal jam of the songs released thus far. The animated video is stylistically similar to ‘The Men Who Rule The World’ and equally as provocative. Check it out below….

No Gods No Masters is out June 11. You can expect a review of the complete album once it’s released.

Even newer Garbage

Posted on April 29, 2021 by Craig M

Last night during a live YouTube chat with the band and viewers, Garbage’s title track from forthcoming album No Gods No Masters was revealed, in a cool, neon-fused promo video. This electro-pop, kind-of eighties sounding jam was much more my taste than the previous, highly political ‘The Men Who Rule The World’ and I can see it becoming a favourite amongst the many other stellar songs the band have produced over the years. Anyone unfamiliar with Garbage, I highly recommend checking them out, especially if you enjoy alternative pop/rock with strong vibes of Blondie, No Doubt etc. Watch the video below…

Garbage’s 7th studio album is released on June 11. They have plans to tour with Alanis Morissette in America later this year, followed by a tour in the U.K. with Blondie.

Garbage new music

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Craig M

My favourite band, ‘Garbage’ have returned and have a very divisive new song out, the politically charged The Men Who Rule The World. Check out the trippy video below…

My thoughts? It’s a grower. Some aspects such as the music and production, are top notch, full of ideas and detail. That chorus is great too. Lyrically it’s quite challenging, with regular use of the F word to drive home its themes of patriarchy and female empowerment. Overall though I like it and certainly admire it’s ballsy drive and intent.

New album ’No Gods No Masters’ is out June 11. On this evidence I’m still very excited. This band, made up of singer Shirley Manson and super-producer Butch Vig along with Steve Marker and Duke Erikson … have never ceased to surprise and impress me. No band I’ve ever been into has been so consistent and now 7 albums into their career, Garbage show no sign of changing or playing it safe. Bring it on!

Garbage thrills at Leeds

Posted on July 17, 2019 by Craig M

Well, there was such anticipation and nervous excitement for me leading up to my fourth time seeing my favourite band. You see, Garbage remain the only band I’ll make the effort to actually go and see live even if it means travelling miles to get to them. Accompanied by a good friend as well as meeting up with another fellow Garbage fan, even before the show we hung around by the stage door and the band’s tour bus for the hope of a chance encounter. I wasn’t disappointed … guitarist Duke Erikson came out to say hello as well as touring bass player Eric Avery and stand-in drummer Matt Walker (standing in for Butch Vig who had to stay at home due to a recent shoulder injury). They were all so nice and down-to-earth.

The concert itself was amazing. Fourth time seeing them I was slightly wondering if they would be as impressive as previously … suffice to say this was one of the best performances I’ve witnessed yet. Lead singer, Edinburgh born Shirley Manson was on fantastic form with plenty of charisma and energy and belted out hits like ‘Stupid Girl’ and ‘I Think I’m Paranoid’ as well as lesser known tracks like the haunting ‘On Fire’ … to a very appreciative crowd that were constantly jumping about and singing along. It was intense, adrenaline-fuelled and for me a genuine, life-affirming treat. Words can barely describe what it meant to this long-time fan but as the show ended I was on cloud nine.

My friends and I then decided to hang out by the stage door again and after a while, low and behold Shirley Manson came out to say hello, sign autographs and have pictures taken. She is simply the best. Even now, two days afterwards I can’t believe my luck and am pinching myself that it wasn’t just a very vivid dream.