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.