There is something I would like to talk about which is completely off-topic from my normal rambles about fandom; it seems important enough to share with everyone. Many of you will in general understand what I mean, if not in the context I mention here.

I think you’ve seen me write more than once about my favorite book series Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels series. This isn’t about that but is similar in a way. As I have one all-time favorite set of books I return to time and time again, there is music band who has always had my heart – and, I suspect, always shall. Their name is Garbage. I know, I know. Why would a group name themselves after something generally considered filthy and disgusting? It’s a name that would throw anyone off. But as I’ve learned over the years, these musicians see their music as anything but garbage. It’s their spirit, their soul. To be honest, Garbage’s style of music has always been slightly different than the norm. After collecting as much varied music as I have over the years, I can still find no one like them.

Before I was in high school, in the mid-90s, I won their first album in a radio contest. Perhaps that was a pivotal moment of my life. All I know is, that album -and two subsequent ones – carried me through my teenage years. No matter what I was feeling, good or bad, the music seemed to calm me down. When I was in college, Garbage released their fourth album, and its music still had the power to move me. Then the band sort of disappeared for a time. I thought they had broken up, but in reality they decided to take a year or so to pursue life. However, two years turned into four then six. Imagine my surprise when I discovered this past weekend that a new album – their fifth album after SEVEN years – is due to be released in another week. It was like my birthday all over again! :)

Garbage is, for me, like the comfort of an old friend. I can go through artist after artist but I always circle back to their music as “easy listening.” It doesn’t matter what the song is (I love them all) or the album. All I have to do turn them on the stereo, in the car, on the Ipod, on Pandora… It’s always amazed me that I can never grow tired of listening to the same music more times than I can count. But then again, I learned that a true favorite – as evidenced by the Black Jewels series – is something a person is lucky to find. It will always make you happy, always be a comfort to you, and I think everybody needs that kind of certainty in their lives.

…Enough of that.

I have already had the opportunity to listen to some of the songs from the album to-be-released. For those of you who know Garbage, I think their time apart has brought a new maturity to their music. It still has the same style (electric, edgy, unique) and Shirley’s smoky vocals, but the songs show how very comfortable the artists have become in their own skins. I’ll be buying the album as soon as it hits stores. It’s called Not Your Kind of People. My recommendation? Buy it or download it, but don’t let it pass you by!

:)

Related Posts:

• Some RL Things – from July 19, 2015
• The Season Should Be Over But It’s Not Really – from January 7, 2015
• Happy New Year’s, Everyone! – from December 31, 2014
• McSpirk Gift Exchange – from December 15, 2014
• This Person Needs Help – from July 25, 2014