Blandly beautiful
Riaan Wolmarans
After a rather long break Garbage return with beautifulgarbage (David Gresham), their third album. Will it be as popular as their first two? Maybe. It’s all there, the electro-pop with Shirley Manson’s cynical vocals, but it’s just not typical Garbage, with some accusing the band of becoming a pop sell-out.
The influences come from all over. Can’t Cry These Tears is pure Sixties girl group singalong. Shut Your Mouth has a down-and-dirty bassline to get down to, but Androgyny just sounds a bit too much like Destiny’s Child (apart from the subject matter, of course). Hit single Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!) is funky bubblegum beats all way but is this what Garbage is supposed to sound like? Breaking Up the Girl brings visions of the Go-Gos and other girl-pop outfits.
So it seems Manson and friends have chosen the less noisy, more radio-friendly route. New fans might delight; old fans might revolt. It’s not a bad album; maybe it’s even a great pop album. Just don’t expect too much of the old Garbage energy.