Garbage released their newest album, Strange Little Birds, through the Vagrant label on June 10. As always, you could get lost in Shirley Manson’s haunting vocals and the band’s grinding guitar. The record carries their '90s sound into modern times.
The album starts with “Sometimes,” a tune with yearning vocals and a sound reminiscent of slower Nine Inch Nails pieces full of orchestration and percussion. Later on, “Even Though Our Love is Doomed” falls into the same groove. There’s a beauty in the band's darkness that can also be found in the sexy sound of “Night Drive Loneliness.” The song is centered on longing lyrics bursting with regret.
The record resonates with the buzzing guitar the band is known for. Shirley’s raspy vocals are always on pitch, managing to be both rough and smooth at the same time. Her breathy voice on “Blackout” is combined with an electronic sound and harsh licks and the guitar on “So We Can Stay Alive” slashes through powerful vocals. While penultimate “Teaching Little Fingers to Play” is rather unimpressive, it is the only song that falls flat. The final tune, “Amends,” thrums in your ears long after ending on its solitary vocal note.
Overall, Strange Little Birds is an outstanding piece of art. It rocks from start to finish. Garbage fans can be confident in knowing that their money is will spent.