by Jesus Ibarra
My only reaction to finally being able to listen to Garbage’s Not Your Kind of People, announced late last year, is FINALLY! Garbage is back, baby, and they are in perfect form. After a seven year break from the band, Shirley Manson, Butch Vig, Duke Erickson and Steve Marker reformed to break out on their own, Trent Reznor style, forming their own label, releasing their album on their own terms, and setting their own tour schedule.
In various interviews they have repeatedly said that they had no expectations for this record. After having gotten together just to enjoy making music again, they figured they would release the record and see what would happen. Well, what happened was that most of their shows sold out. As of this article, critics are loving this album, fans all over social media are gushing about how good it is, and it is currently in the top ten in the alternative section of iTunes. I would say that is amazing for a band that came from the 90s and the old model of music sales, to have transitioned seamlessly into the digital age. 
As a person who discovered Garbage as an early entry in rock and alternative music, they will always hold a special place in my heart: their music helped shape my adolescence beginning with Bleed Like Me, their fourth record. Once I got into their first three records, Garbage, Version 2.0, and beautifulgarbage, I was hooked forever. So with my bias out of the way, I can say that I didn’t have too much expectation for this new record. I was just happy they were back. When I heard their lead single here in the states, “Blood for Poppies,” it sounded great but I wasn’t too happy with that song.
When I finally got to listen to the record from start to finish, I was left smiling like a love struck idiot. This album is good, not just good but GOOD! I was blown away because I realized that not one group since Garbage’s inception in the 90s has been able to copy or sound like Garbage. And that’s when I realized that they hold a place in music, making good, unique songs that aren’t part of the current pop in any genre, just like they did in the 90s.
Again, I am extremely happy that Garbage has managed to stay not only relevant in today’s music world, but they do it so effortlessly with no gimmicks other than amazing music. You only find dark, poignant, and moving songs here: that quintessential Garbage.
My two favorite songs are “Control” and “I Hate Love,” not only for their arrangement and lyrics but because they represent what should happen to bands as they get older and release new music. This record is a combination of their first record with their second and, frankly, it is probably up there with my favorite albums of 2012 – if not all time.
So, do yourself a favor and get this record if you want to listen to a kickass woman singer sing really great music and a band that knows how to play music. Learn more on Garbage’s website.
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