Shirley Manson

Garbage ‘Version 2.0’: Twentieth Anniversary Edition

Pop Martzoo , , , , , ,

Alternative rock band Garbage avoided the dreaded sophomore slump with the triumphant second full-length release Version 2.0 in 1998. Considered by many – including Shirley Manson herself – as the group’s best and most powerful album to date, the dynamic set contains many of the band’s best-known songs including: “Special,” “When I Grow Up” and “The Trick Is to Keep Breathing.”

Now, in honor of its twenty-year anniversary, Version 2.0 is currently being prepared as a remastered deluxe edition. Not only will the deluxe anniversary release include the original album, but it will also include 10 B-sides from the Version 2.0 recording sessions.

“Version 2.0 is in my opinion the quintessential garbage record. We are all very grateful to the millions of people who took it to their hearts at the time it was released and to those who continue to love on it still.” – Shirley Manson

Comprehensive details can be found below in the deluxe album’s press release:

Garbage are delighted to announce the release of the 20th anniversary edition of their legendary second album Version 2.0. Released on Stunvolume/PIAS on June 22nd, the package features the whole original album, as well as a second, ten song disc of bonus tracks, including B-sides from the era. The typically visceral “Lick the Pavement” is the first offering from the reissue and is available now.

Upon its initial release in May 1998, Version 2.0 charted at Number 1 and was certified double platinum in the UK with over 500,000 sales. The record went on to sell over 4 million copies worldwide. Version 2.0 was also nominated for four Grammy Awards including Album of The Year. It produced 5 hit singles, including “Push It” and “I Think I’m Paranoid.”

Speaking about the enduring legacy of the record, the band’s drummer and co-producer Butch Vig explains:

“Version 2.0 is the sound of a band growing up, evolving, and more than anything, gaining confidence. When we started recording, we made a conscious decision to not re-invent ourselves, but rather take everything we learned from our debut album and filter it through the new digital technology we were grappling with. Sonically, the album has moments of razor sharp clarity and soft beauty. Indeed, it’s possibly our best album.”

Album Track list:

  1. Temptation Waits
  2. I Think I’m Paranoid
  3. When I Grow Up
  4. Medication
  5. Special
  6. Hammering in My Head
  7. Push It
  8. The Trick Is to Keep Breathing
  9. Dumb
  10. Sleep Together
  11. Wicked Ways
  12. You Look So Fine

 

Deluxe Edition B-sides:

  1. Can’t Seem to Make You Mine
  2. 13x Forever
  3. Deadwood
  4. Get Busy with The Fizzy
  5. Soldier Through This
  6. Thirteen
  7. Lick the Pavement
  8. Medication (Acoustic)
  9. Tornado
  10. Afterglow

 

Garbage Live in Nashville

Pop Martzoo , , , , , , , , , ,

Garbage1

(Photo: Eric Allen  © 2016 PopMartZoo)

 

Alternative rockers Garbage returned to Music City’s historic Ryman Auditorium last night for the first time since 2005. Ferocious Scotswoman Shirley Manson captivated multitudes of devoted ‘darklings’ during a nearly 2-hour set which mined a contrasting batch of shining jewels from all six of the band’s albums including 1995 hit “Only Happy When It Rains” and the current “Empty.” Although illness related no-fly orders meant Butch Vig was absent from the evening’s performance, drummer Eric Gardener slammed through the blistering set without missing a beat.

Once Manson and company took command of the stage with opener “Supervixen,” it was immediately obvious the band’s global tour promoting Strange Little Birds (Garbage’s latest and darkest album yet) is an unmistakable quest to prove it is possible to defy ageism and successfully make music on their own terms without interference from the politics of a major record label. The rock band’s latest offering is the second full-length released via its own independent Stunvolume record label. Despite its gloomy, misanthropic tone, the critically acclaimed Strange Little Birds easily managed to concurrently claim the number one spots atop Billboard’s Top Rock Albums and Alternative Albums charts.

The all but sold-out crowd stood on its feet throughout the evening, never showing signs of fatigue as it cheered and sang along to everything the band’s well-armed arsenal hurled upon everyone in attendance. The audience included spirited twenty-somethings and silver-haired seniors alike, with every age in between disregarding any evidence of a musical generation gap. The steamy, humid night didn’t dampen spirits as the energetic troop danced, sang, and fist-pumped its way throughout the beloved group’s well received set.

As the evening’s performance came to a close with the energetic favorite “Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)” the foot stomping masses made it clear they weren’t ready to go home. Luckily, Manson and her faithful bandmates Duke Erikson and Steve Marker happily indulged spellbound onlookers with a generous encore consisting of “Sometimes,” “Empty,” and “#1 Crush.” Hopefully fans won’t have to wait another 11 years until Garbage returns to Nashville.

Set List: 

Supervixen
I Think I’m Paranoid
Stupid Girl
Automatic Systematic Habit
Blood For Poppies
The Trick Is To Keep Breathing
My Lover’s Box
Sex Is Not The Enemy
Special
A Stroke Of Luck
Even Though Our Love Is Doomed
Why Do You Love Me
Control
Blackout
Bleed Like Me
Push It
Vow
Only Happy When It Rains
Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)

Encore:
Sometimes
Empty
#1 Crush