Garbage - Tell Me Whereit Hurts (single)

Thu 26th Jul, 2007 in Music Reviews

Fresh from a two-year sabbatical, Garbage return with a new single Tell Me Where it Hurts. The new single, which retains the characteristic emotion and pop-rock sensibilities of previous releases, is set to appear on a retrospective album Absolute Garbage, featuring hits from their significant career.

I don’t profess to being the biggest fan of the band, and so my expectations were accordingly middle of the road – however after a few listens it was hard not to be impressed by the depth and emotion that the band manages to consistently pack into their music – while not sounding (all that) whiny. Shirley Manson continues to shine and to foster her niche somewhere in-between cutesie pop princess and rock balladeer, and, in all – Tell me Where it Hurts is a catchy, playful and lyrically pert single – with a dynamic rhythm which is constantly driving forward, giving momentum to the track and fitting nicely with the string and guitar parts.

While it was very easy to listen to this single, I couldn’t help thinking it was a bit formulaic – carefully treading the well-worn verse / chorus / bridge path, and far from breaking any new ground. Not that I think it was trying to be a particularly challenging or provocative release, but I would have liked some more inventive or edgy touches to compliment the clever arrangement and Manson’s vocal performance.

As it is, it’s well done and shouldn’t leave many fans of the band disappointed. It’s a solid track, which is quite brilliantly written and performed, although the production’s a bit glossy for my tastes. No doubt it will more than serve the purpose of plugging their new best-of.

Absolute Garbage is due for release on 28 July through Warner Music Australia, and features re-mastered Garbage classics, in addition to tracks remixed by the likes of Massive Attack, Timo Maas, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Roger Sanchez, Unkle and others.

Watch the clip for Tell Me Where it Hurts