The dreaded sophomore release is the burden of many a band. Following up a successful debut release often poses a challenge for a myriad of reasons—the rush to release a follow-up quickly to capitalize on an initial success, the subsequent reliance on second-rate leftover material, the increased attention on the band and the pressure to repeat the earlier success, fatigue from excessive touring, the potential for increased drug use that comes with pressure and more money to spend, conflicts within the band brought about by the initial success, and more.
So after Garbage’s self-titled debut smash (1995), it would have been predictably normal for Garbage to have slumped for their follow-up. But Garbage’s sophomore release was masterful, the best album of their career. On Version 2.0 (1998) they struck just the right balance in their blend of alt-rock and electro-throb pop. Scottish singer Shirley Manson exudes a detached yet sultry cool, a tough-talking, computer-age femme fatale. And producer Butch Vig and the band crank out some charged, pulsing, staticky rock noise. Good stuff.
Here’s a blend of their first three albums, a taste of Grade-A Garbage. Pretty sweet.
Cover Art:
- Version 2.0 (cover), Garbage (inner sleeve): Source, Discogs.com, Fair use.
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