Garbage, 'Garbage'

Nobody is entirely certain where the band name Garbage came from. Producer and Svengali behind the band, Butch Vig, claims that he would use the word to describe mediocre studio sessions post Nirvana but pre Shirley Manson’s involvement in his musical career. Nine Inch Nails front man Trent Reznor, however, is said to have used the word to describe Vig’s remix of his track ‘Fixed’. Whatever the truth may be, rest assured that this debut album is anything but.

Vig, though retaining a co-producer credit on ‘Garbage’, came out of the shadows and behind the drum kit for this mid 90s classic. In front of him were fellow producers turned musicians Steve Marker and Duke Erikson; but to the casual punter, Garbage was all about Shirley Manson. Her soulful, spiky style lends the album a true gravitas and signaled the arrival of a singer who proudly wore her heart on her sleeve. Not for nothing is the first track called ‘Supervixen’ and finds Manson passionately telling us that she “can take you out with just a flick of my wrist”. You’ve instantly entered be afraid, be very afraid territory.

The sonic assault continues unabated: ‘Only Happy When It Rains’, ‘Queer’ and ‘Stupid Girl’ were worldwide hits that made you feel good about yourself for enjoying them. Without doubt this is mainstream stadium rock but it’s far too smart for the average listener. Vig’s silky smooth production and gleaming guitars lend a sheen rarely accomplished with this much class. ‘Vow’ is equally terrifying and tumultuous in nature (“I can’t use what I can’t abuse”. Gulp.), ‘Fix Me Now’ is a call to (Manson’s) arms and final tune ‘Milk’ gently drifts off into trip-hop. It’s quite a ride and the fact that you’re gasping for more Manson as the album reaches its conclusion is what Vig would have wanted all along.