Garbage: Bleed Like Me. Thoughts?

[Scottie]

So...I dashed out and bought this when it was released on Monday. I've listened to it a few times now.

Last night, I told myself "well, at least it's better than beautifulgarbage", and then went and put on that exact record. And my God, beautifulgarbage pisses on Bleed Like Me from a great height! While I find beautifulgarbage to be a little patchy and unfocused in places, it still has the personality of Version 2.0 and their self-titled debut.

Bleed Like Me, however...well, it's just a bunch of guitars with some chick singing over the top of them, isn't it? It makes me sad ( ), because Garbage have always been one of my favourite bands, and they've just gone and broken my heart.

Why Don't You Come Over still kicks twenty-seven types of arse, however. Possibly twenty-eight.

What does everyone else think?

[nickinoo]

I'm a fan, obviously. But I'm reserving judgement as I haven't had time to listen to it properley yet. Like you, they've always been one of my favourite bands but they have lost some of their magic in my opinion.

Still, they're doing alright! A very unexpected Top 10 single came out of nowhere after the relative failure of their last few singles, and the album looks like it could be #1 this Sunday. When I bought it the shopman said "This is our top seller today, we shifted loads of it". It's also 'Album Of The Week" and no.1 in several shops' charts, which is encouraging.

[Steve]

I only liked one or two tracks on "beautifulgarbage," and I loved their first album the most, so "Bleed Like Me," to me, is a return to form. I love it, especially the title track, which is gorgeous, and "Bad Boyfriend" & "It's All Over But The Crying."

[freakface]

Im loving Sex is not the enemy.

[tesko suicide]

Funny, why don't you come over is probably the one track I don't really like.

I think it's fantastic, I do. Especially love Metal Heart right now.

[terryboy0703]

absolutely amazing!!

bought the album today, and the music video that comes with it is just lovely!

[si]

Why Do You Love Me? was promising, but after an initial listen, I didn't get past track seven.

I feel a bit gutted, as I'd had to wait forever for the album, but then I liked beautifulgarbage, so what do I know?

[Riverwide]

Where are the *tunes*?

[Mushroom]

I wasn't too sure at first, but I forced myself to listen a few times because I didn't want to admit I didn't like it, and now I love it.

None of the tracks match up to the brilliance of Why Do You Love Me, but they're still pretty fantastic. It's a brilliant album when you consider they were on the verge of splitting up.

[Deleted]

A few of the tracks are not standing up to repeat listenings - Bad Boyfriend, I feel, is just not the strong monster that everyone is on about. It's just loud and faux-angsty. Overall, I think the album is good, but somewhat done to prove a point - "Don't worry, we can still rock" - rather than to make an album. But it should make for some great live shows.

Sex Is Not the Enemy and Boys Wanna Fight are my favourites. Shirley's lyrics are getting...interesting. She's getting more stylised and semi-cryptic, and I can't decide if that's a more conservative or daring decision.

[xolondon]

I agree that it's a bit of a mood - a ROCK mood - and that gets a bit old when many of the songs are of the same tempo and feel. beautifulgarbage scared people bc it sounded like they wanted to be the Neptunes ("Androgyny"). but it was varied. I could have done with one more killer ballad (or "night driving" kind of song). It's a catchy record but some of the melodies are a little simple. Will treasures be buried in bsides?

Love the 80's electro feel to "Metal Heart:"

[Outroductive]

I like the album. I can see why some people "can't find the tunes", but the album itself is a real grower. Each song is individual if you give it time. It isn't "Version 2.0", but I didn't expect them to repeat the quality of that album. I think "Bleed Like Me" is just behind "Garbage" for me. Just.

[veryjammy]

A tad off topic but I've amazingly only just discovered #1 Crush. Why on earth was this gem buried in the Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack? It's quickly established itself in my top 5 Garbage songs.

[Mike]

veryjammy said:

A tad off topic but I've amazingly only just discovered #1 Crush. Why on earth was this gem buried in the Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack? It's quickly established itself in my top 5 Garbage songs.

Buried? The Romeo and Juliet soundtrack was a huge success. And deservedly so - I dug it out the other day, and it's still an amazing album all these years on.

Back to Garbage - I'm not wholly convinced but I'm going to reserve judgement, as that was also my initial stance on Beautifulgarbage which I now love. I'm amazed there's so little love going round for It's All Over But The Crying and Bleed Like Me - for me, these are easily the two standouts.

[veryjammy]

thisisnotatest said:

Buried? The Romeo and Juliet soundtrack was a huge success. And deservedly so - I dug it out the other day, and it's still an amazing album all these years on.

Back to Garbage - I'm not wholly convinced but I'm going to reserve judgement, as that was also my initial stance on Beautifulgarbage which I now love. I'm amazed there's so little love going round for It's All Over But The Crying and Bleed Like Me - for me, these are easily the two standouts.

well i was only young when the film came out, and i didnt get into garbage until a few years ago so it's not surprising it's totally passed me by til now. I meant it should have been an one of their proper albums, and definetely released as a single.

I also don't really like Bad Boyfriend, I think it's repetitive and Garbage-by-numbers.

As for next single news apparently it's going like this:

UK - Sex Is Not The Enemy
US - Bleed Like Me
Europe - Run Baby Run

Three simultaneous singles madness!

[Crystaline Green]

interesting review on cd-wow of all places...

By all accounts from Garbageland, this has not been the happiest or easiest album to record. Not that we should pay much attention to whingeing popstars anyway, but the complications from within have certainly come through as a different sound. If you’ve heard the “Why Do You Love Me” first single, then you’ll have gathered that the trans-Atlantic foursome are braced with a whole lot more attitude than before, and have traded their previously rounded edges for a much rougher hue. Less pop, more rock. By and large, it works.

The new Garbage is immediate and invigorated. Right from the start, Shirley Manson invites you to be a bad boyfriend. One of those confusing chick matters, when bad is good and good is badder still. But for sure if will send all but the most overly confident suitors quaking in their socks. But it is a large sized kick bottom track to get you in the mood. Plenty of solid chords, and explicit strutting. “Run Baby Run” is even stronger. Less confrontation, more melody, yet still with attitude to spare. Easier on the outside, but avec hard centre which is their new sonic statement.

So you know what to expect for “Right Between The Eyes” – as it is exactly that. Twelve gauge that is never twelve bore. Rock solid, with the now to be expected torching guitars and splendidly pounding drumming. Even though it drifts off rather prematurely at the end. By now you get where the single is coming from, and accept that their mission is to re-define power chords. The title track is the first let up in all the racket. Initially anyway. Somewhat reaffirming that they do now have more than one setting which had been locked on ‘sear’. It also has the more engaging karaoke experience relived as “after two drinks he’s a loser / after three drinks he’s a star”. Good lines. The group has always been strong lyrically, but here they are less relevant than the overwhelming perception of musical ballsiness.

Shirley’s voice is not so individual to be classic, but she still uses it to fine intent. The conflicting background string-meets-metal styles within “Metal Heart” are top notch (they are still one of the most competent production outfits around), and her layered voice over the top make is a surefire winner. “Sex Is Not The Enemy” is not quite so inspired, and markedly inferior to what has gone before. “Why Don’t You Come Over” is even worse, and even a dodgy line about a biscuit can’t raise a rock-clichéd track that grates before it has even got into a stride.

To finish off, there’s “Happy Home”. An erstwhile fragility mixed with persistent rocking quality. A good one to leave you wanting more at sometime in the future, even if not immediately. But an even better end would have been the brilliant “It’s All Over But The Crying” which is back to the subdued moody quality of “Milk” a few years ago. OK, a dodgy guitar solo within, but one of their best again. The closing lines of “baby, we’re done” also hints at the band’s own cloudy future.

Although this is a style variation for Garbage, ‘Bleed Like Me’ sums up strengths and limitations. Guaranteed solid, occasionally excellent, but with the propensity to dry up on inspiration every so often. The invigorated wall of sound is first rate, their passion still evident, and even for the few weaker tracks, there are enough plus-points to make the journey worthwhile.

Neil Chase
Music Editor

[Crystaline Green]

At last I have this album - I have waited nearly 4 years for - and am i pleased? yes very - cant slate it at all and am lovein 'its all over but the crying' especially. cant wait till the brixton gig now - see you there!

[Mr Subways]

Noooo I want Bleed Like Me!

[Furq]

veryjammy said:

A tad off topic but I've amazingly only just discovered #1 Crush. Why on earth was this gem buried in the Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack? It's quickly established itself in my top 5 Garbage songs.

I love their early stuff/b-sides. See also subhuman, trip my wire, and girl don't come.

[Crystaline Green]

if your looking for b-sides try these - most of them are better than album in tracks - in some cases - even better than the singles....

1. Soldier through this
2. you look so fine (fun lovin criminals version)
3. deadwood
4. afterglow
5. girl dont come
6. alien sex fiend
7. use me
8. #1 crush (b-side and romeo and juliet soundtrack version - both different)
9. cant seem to make you mine
10. i just wanna have something to do
11. sleep
12. kick my ass
13. sex never goes out of fashion
14. thirteen
15. enough is never enough

[xolondon]

Are you rating those with #1 as your favorite? Thanks for posting that.

[Crystaline Green]

"#1 crush" is the name of the song, wasnt ranking it as a fave - the best ones are probably deadwood and soldier through this. all good songs - get hold of them all and you have probably the best garbage album lol

[xolondon]

Oh I just meant #1 at the top being the best and #15 being not the best. You answered my question though!

cheers.

[Crystaline Green]

oh right - no they are in no specific oredr - those are the best out of the b-sides they have done in my opinion - there are loads of them - they do about 2 per single. If your doing a search - others include

tornado
butterfly collector
april tenth
driving lesson
im really into techno
wild horses (rolling stones cover)
space can come through anyone
nobody can win
13x forever
get busy with the fizzy
subhuman (this was actually a single released after 'vow' but didnt appear on any album)

there have been rumours flying about for ages that they are to release a b-sides album, they even invited fans to submit nominations for their favourate b-side via the website a couple of years ago - but nothing happened due to apparent difficulties in getting geffen and mushroom to agree who should release it and who should sign what songs over.

wish they would get a dvd compilation out too - they do some of the best vids and dont strike me as the kind of band that will release a greatest hits collection.

[xolondon]

Their new video is my favorite in ages, though I tend to like everything Sophie Muller does, from Eurythmics to Gwen to this one. Shirley has never looked so "iconic." LOVE the look on her face in the kitchen part and how she eats the food in such a ....louche?... way.

[Crystaline Green]

i know exactly what you mean - like when she is in bed and grabs that bottle of wine and starts drinking it - very laisez-faire. Its the same in that 'push it video' where she is in the supermarket and she is lifting the weird artefacts up in front of her face - she does these really great expressions that are so simple. I dunno - I know it sounds like im blabbin on but she just has that kind of face that really suits music videos. very unique and once you have seen it once you always remember it. The 'you look so fine' video was one of the best - i really need to try and get a bootleg dvd of all the vids.

[nickinoo]

I agree about Garbage B-sides, they're fantastic, almost without fail, as are their remixes. I've made my own B-side and remix abums and they rock! Loving the new album now, my favourites being 'Bleed Like Me', 'It's All Over But The Crying' and 'Happy Home'.

[Outroductive]

I love that part of "Why Do You Love Me" too - thought I was the only one who noticed! They've said they'll definitely get round to releasing a DVD at some point - can't wait, but sort of can, because it will spell the end of Garbage when the time comes. "Space Can Come Through Anyone" is a great b-side - typical Garbage. They've been saying they'll release a "B-Sides" album ever since "Version 2.0", but it never happens. I'd rather have new studio albums anyway. I think the general fan-favourite is "Deadwood", but the band aren't keen.

[Mr Subways]

Okay, finally had chance to listen to the album...

1. Bleed Like Me
2. Metal Heart
3. Sex Is Not The Enemy
4. It's All Over But The Crying
5. Why Do You Love Me?
6. Right Between The Eyes
7. Happy Home
8. Run Baby Run
9. Bay Boyfriend
10. Boys Wanna Fight
11. Why Don't You Come Over?

They're all great though.

[nickinoo]

Have you all seen the three new videos they've made since WDYLM? I really like the Bleed Like Me vid. If you haven't, go to their official site.