Garbage

As the brainchild of three Midwestern record producers, including most notably Nirvana producer Butch Vig on drums, it’s no coincidence that the sound of Garbage’s self-titled debut is dramatic and massive, rich in color and strong in melody and dynamics. With an eye towards both sex appeal and stunning contrast, the three studio rats chose Edinburgh-based Angelfish singer Shirley Manson to front these tough talking tunes that skirt the abrasive tactics of alternative rock with a strong dose of pure sugar-coated pop under the hard shell. “Stupid Girl,” “Supervixen” and “Queer” seem a direct challenge as their deliberately confronting nature are superbly tailored to Manson’s cold, shimmering style. She straddles the difficult line between alluring pop chanteuse and cold, mysterious rock star, ignoring alternative rock’s aversion to glamour with a very direct appeal to sordid beauty. All of which would be mere empty posing were it not backed by prodigious musical chops that recalibrate Nine Inch Nails, the Jesus and Mary Chain and the Breeders among its catalog of sound. Garbage managed to invoke all the contradictions of the era and render them mute with songs that conveyed genuine authority and enthusiasm in their loud and proud way.