Author: audioeclectica

ALBUM RANK: GARBAGE

One of the more positive things about the last couple years, especially during the height of the pandemic, was that during that time, I went on some really great catalog deep dives. There were quite a few bands I did this with and the end result was rather positive. One of the bands that I went down the rabbit hole with was Garbage. I still remember going to the store to buy their first album when it came out as well as the second one. Both of those albums were in constant rotation back in the day for me. Now after going through all their albums and then some, I have come up with a pretty solid ranking of their albums. If you’ve never delved into the Garbage catalog, I strongly suggest you do. They have some absolutely great albums and songs. Plus, their evolution throughout the years has made their music intriguing and reinvigorating to the genre.

07) Bleed Like Me: This one gets the bottom not because it’s a bad album by any means, it’s just that it’s a very front loaded album that when you get to the halfway point, a lot of the songs fall into familiar territory. The album feels like it’s trying to recapture a feeling or time but in the end it just falls a bit flat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YIIihW89Ac&list=OLAK5uy_mTHaqnibIxQY_BBx5-av2_8IJ9_y7vzoo

06) Beautiful Garbage: This album is a bit of a departure for the band only in that it doesn’t embrace a particular sound or style. Instead it’s a more experimental album, that finds the band looking to expand upon their sound. At times there are songs that are more “pop” than alternative, and other times you will find songs that are more aligned with an R&B style. This album for me is one of those that has to be listened to under the right circumstances. Put it this way, if you were really into the first 2 albums, this one leaves you a little bit more on the side of “it’s not bad but, it’s not what you thought it would or could be.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-g3Eapd9Q0&list=OLAK5uy_kITr4nsYBdjTcYSVVtZttY35W1tn_6ExM

05) Not Your Kind Of People: This album was the bands first in about 7 years after Bleed Like Me. This album is a sort of return to form for the band with some new modern production elements added. It’s a very solid album though it drags a bit as there could have been a couple songs cut off. As a comeback album, this is quite good and worth a good listen. I wouldn’t be shocked that if I did an album rank revisited on Garbage in a year or so, this one could move up a notch or two.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PDPUxm2UJY&list=OLAK5uy_mEtuFEHTkI-Ohuurftezr3OekKXpOjo6o

04) No Gods No Masters: Their most recent album is an absolute blast of a listen. It explores a lot of ground without being a nostalgic trip. The lyrical content on this album is quite thought provoking as well. You could even say that this is a very mature album both in the thematic sense as well as musically. After 7 albums together, they know what works best and doesn’t and it shows on this album very well. I really enjoyed this album and keep finding new things to like with each listen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG047b1uE9I&list=OLAK5uy_kONe0n9SUMEHydt2_Cxjc7oBTa1t4f3Gc


03) Strange Little Birds: The first time I heard this album all the way through, I felt like this was a sort of sequel or logical follow up to the band’s first 2 albums. There’s a really cool element of mixing the old with the new on this album. Strange Little Birds is a rather deep album lyrically and compelling. The album has some really catchy moments just like the first 2 have. There’s also an anger to this album that you can hear musically as well that really compliments every component well. Each time I listen to this album especially the final song “Amends,” I feel compelled to start it again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbZMYxaNTvU&list=OLAK5uy_lhRIYO6WW7WkwYpHgSZGWlx21lFo11PEY

02) Garbage: The debut and the one that started it all. What a superb debut album. It’s got all the great things that made music in the 90’s such a game changer. I love this album and think it’s one of the quintessential debut albums of all time. There is no doubt about the quality of the album from the songs, production, and performances. I also believe that this album became a blueprint for a lot of other bands/artists that have come out since.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMqslcTBRf8&list=OLAK5uy_kBhKWqtEqoNf2WFc1RkX_PJ1xUivlzqJw

01) Version 2.0: The band’s second album and my personal favorite gets the top spot. This one adds to their superb start and goes even further into what they are capable of. The darker elements, especially the lyrical content is quite a trip. Musically, there is so much to discover on this album as the band pulled inspiration from bands from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. One of the things I love most about the album is the production on it. There’s a really cool Hi-Fi meets Lo-Fi compliment to the way the instruments sound as well as the vocals. This is one of those second albums, that (like myself) you might enjoy more than the first one. That’s not to say the first one isn’t the tops, it’s all a matter of preference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1yxXhMxe28&list=OLAK5uy_niRa7PPkLBcfu7yjgkIvwNhN4VQyTRVQY


Those 90s Songs: The Wallflowers- One Headlight

We all have those days when you have a melody stuck in your head and know it’s for a specific song but, can’t quite think of the song. Yesterday I had a specific chorus melody stuck in my head all day and it wasn’t till this morning that I figure out what it was. And now we are here discussing that song which was “One Headlight” by The Wallflowers. Back in 1996, The Wallflowers released their very successful album, Bringing Down The Horse. This album was one of the biggest albums of 96 spawning 4 singles and 3 Grammy nominations with 2 wins for “One Headlight. Interestingly “One Headlight,” was the second single released from the album. This song (and album) are quintessential for the 90’s. It’s one of those songs that fit quite well in the rotation of the radio at the time and to this day, when it comes on, (if you were alive and aware of them at the time) the words start to come back to you and the next thing you know, you’re singing along.

The Wallflowers- One Headlight:

End Of Album Songs: Metallica- Inamorata

On every Metallica album since Ride The Lightning, there has been at least one song that is a bit of an outlier. Now, this song is not always the heaviest track, instead it’s the one that raises your curiosity and shows a different side of the band. Going through the band’s catalog you have songs like “Fade To Black,” “Sanitarium,” “Bleeding Me,” “Halo On Fire” and a few others I could mention. The new Metallica album, 72 Seasons has one for damn sure with “Inamorata.” This track is absolutely one hell of an end of album song but, it’s also one of Metallica’s more epic tracks in a long time. The new album is quite a killer one and this track is the icing on the cake! Take a listen to this gem!

Metallica- Inamorata:

Cover Song: SOM (Depeche Mode)- Enjoy The Silence

When I saw the band SOM live with Holy Fawn last year, I was totally awestruck. Their set that evening is still replaying in my mind. Their most recent album The Shape Of Everything, is outstanding and has been in constant rotation since. Now, the gents in SOM have announced a tribute EP to Depeche Mode entitled, Faith (out May 26th). The four track EP features the songs “Enjoy The Silence,” “Personal Jesus,” “Policy Of Truth,” and “Never Let Me Down Again.” The first track released is their version of “Enjoy The Silence,” and it’s a very solid cover. Speaking on the tribute EP vocalist/guitarist Will Benoit said of their version of “Enjoy The Silence” “It was daunting to take this song on because it really does have a life of its own outside of Depeche Mode. So we worked pretty hard to find a delicate balance of homage, but we also really wanted to ‘own it’ and infuse as much weight and density as possible. Working on the arrangement felt like a lesson in how to write a great song, and it was a special feeling to get to really live inside of this piece of music for a while.”

SOM- Enjoy The Silence:

Track One: Soundgarden- Rusty Cage

It was announced yesterday that the members of Soundgarden and Chris Cornell’s widow have finally settled on an agreement to allow the release of the songs that Soundgarden were working on prior to Chris’s death. There are about 7 finished songs that will see the light of day in the near future. Which is very exciting as I remember a few interviews with Chris and Kim saying the new material was a bit more in line with some of their earlier work. That being said, naturally, I do what I usually do when I hear good news about a band I like a lot and I’ve been on a Soundgarden kick now. The first album I went for was Bad Motor Finger and when “Rusty Cage” began I knew I made the right choice. What a killer song to start off an album with. It’s a song with such groove and vibe that you wouldn’t be remiss if you played it again after it ended. That’s the making a great song! Interestingly, “Rusty Cage” was the third and final single released on the record. Chris you are very missed!


Soundgarden- Rusty Cage:

Alternate Version:

Soundgarden- Rusty Cage (Live Lollapalooza 1992):

NEW RELEASE: RANCID- TOMORROW NEVER COMES

I’ll never forget the first time I heard Rancid. I was about 10 years old and I heard a song on the radio that was called “Salvation” off their second album (which is quite underrated in their catalog) and I was hooked. Then a year later it all made even more sense when they released their now classic …And Out Come The Wolves. From that point I was completely enthralled. For many years, I’ve always had an affinity for this band. They are one of the most consistent and pack the same raw energy since their founding back in 1991. Now, in 2023 Rancid are about to release their 10th studio album, Tomorrow Never Comes (out June 2nd). The first single “Tomorrow Never Comes” is Rancid at it’s classic best. It’s punk as it always is and then some. Their sound and style is still true to them as it has ever been and I for one am pretty stoked that Rancid is still here kicking ass and taking names! June 2nd can’t come soon enough! Looking forward to the upcoming tour as well!

Rancid- Tomorrow Never Comes:

NEW RELEASE: Better Lovers- 30 Under 13

What do you get when you mix 3 parts Every Time I Die (Jordan Buckley, Stephen Miccihe, Clayton “Goose” Holyoak) 1 part Fit For An Autopsy/END (Will Putney), and 1 part Dillinger Escape Plan (Greg Puciato)? Well, you get one hell of a new band called Better Lovers! Today, they have debuted their first single “30 Under 13” off their upcoming debut album (release date TBA). The song is an absolute sonic assault of uncompromising and blistering proportions. I personally am extremely stoked on this. An album and tour will be coming soon. In the meantime, I’m gonna be here enjoying the hell out of this song!

Better Lovers- 30 Under 13:

Track One: The Cure- Underneath The Stars

I will never forget the the night I heard this song live for the first time. It was 2009 and I was at Coachella and The Cure were headlining the final night of the weekend. I was already beyond excited as this was my first time seeing them and it was everything I wanted and more. On this evening, I distinctly remember it being a very clear night with a ton of stars lighting up the sky so when The Cure took the stage and began with “Underneath The Stars” track one off of their most recent album at the time, 4:13 Dream, it was one of those “meant to be” moments. As a long time fan of The Cure, I love this song. It’s got a very classic vibe to it that could easily be found on an album like The Head On The Door or Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. As a track one, this song sets up the album perfectly. I find 4:13 Dream to be a bit of an overlooked album in the bands catalog. It’s full of so many great songs including “The Only One,” “Freakshow” and “Sleep When I’m Dead” which actually was written for 1985’s The Head On The Door. So when you listen to this album you get a very interesting cross section of The Cure but, that first song, just really hits the right feels. If you’ve never listened to this song, you are surely missing out!


The Cure- Underneath The Stars:

Memorable TV Performances: Interpol- PDA on Letterman 2002

There are a lot of bands out there that I enjoy that would probably surprise a bunch of you that read Audioeclectica. One of which is Interpol. Now, when they first arrived on the scene I was not into it and I wrote them off as a Joy Division wannabe type band but, then I saw them around the time of their first album and my attitude about them changed. Yes, they have some very similar moments that you would find in a Joy Division song but, Interpol brought something more to it. Their debut album, Turn On The Bright Lights is a terrific debut album and the song “PDA” to this day always seems to perk me up. Which now brings me to Interpol’s late night TV performance debut on the Late Show with David Letterman back in 2002. It’s crazy to think that this song and performance is over 20 years old now and the song still sounds great! Enjoy!

Interpol- PDA (Live on the Late Show with David Letterman- 2002):

Instrumental Bands: Subterranean Environments

As of late, I find myself becoming more and more intrigued with soundscapes and more avant-garde types of music. The evolution of ones music taste is always an interesting one to study but, that makes things more fun when you think about all that is out there to be discovered. I was recently turned on to a new project that very much peaked my interests and the more I delve into all the intricacies of this I love it more and more. With that in mind allow me to introduce you to Subterranean Environments. This band/project was created by Justin Maranga (Ancestors, Night Horse, Dune Altar) and Foreign Body Sensation (Army Navy, Nightjacket). The two of them have created a piece of work that not only elaborates on their already stellar track record of sonic dynamics but, also explores different realms that the more you listen the more it takes you on a journey through atmospheric textures. There are so many elements to unpack when you listen to this album. It’s hypnotic and psychedelic while at times it ventures down interesting progressive roads packed with great synth work and lush sounds. Not to forget too that there is a haunting melody that chimes in which makes for a charm to these pieces of art that flourish.

I recommend listening to this while being creative or if you are in the need for something to inspire another side of yourself. A band/project like Subterranean Environments is vital because it allows an artist to evolve and explore but, also discover a side that you might not know you needed to mix in with all the other music that you listen to. This is a great encapsulation of dedication, passion and artistry coming together!

Subterranean Environments:

By: Brian Lacy